Today, Governor JB Pritzker mentioned to reporters the possibility of further adjusting Illinois’ congressional districts to favor Democrats. This statement follows reports that Texas is considering redrawing its congressional districts. Currently, Illinois’ districts are heavily gerrymandered in favor of Democrats with a 14-3 advantage.
“Governor Pritzker wants ‘rules for thee but not for me,'” said Elik. “Just a few short years ago, Pritzker happily signed into law some of the worst, most gerrymandered maps in the country that packed his supermajority legislature and Illinois courts. House Republicans took a strong stand against gerrymandering and hold firm that voters should pick their politicians – not the other way around. Suddenly, when Democrats aren’t the ones drawing the maps, Pritzker changes his tune. This is just gaslighting flop as he tries to save face for his Presidential aspirations.”
The nonpartisan Princeton Gerrymandering Project has given Illinois’ congressional districts an ‘F’ grade. Elik highlighted that during the 2024 Illinois House elections, Democratic candidates secured 55% of the statewide vote yet obtained a supermajority of 78 out of 118 seats or 66.1% of state house seats. In contrast, in 2022, Republican candidates won a majority of the statewide vote but Democrats still gained supermajorities.
