* Some context from Capitol News Illinois’ Ben Szalinski…
The Texas legislature is meeting in special session this week with 18 items on their agenda, including redrawing the state’s congressional maps after President Donald Trump urged the state to redraw district boundaries ahead of the 2026 midterm election in hopes of adding five more Republicans to Texas’ congressional delegation and insulating his party against any seats they might lose elsewhere in the country.
[Governor JB Pritzker] blasted the move at an unrelated event in Chicago on Tuesday.
“I think we ought to play by the rules – everybody – and I think we ought to have an election in 2026,” Pritzker told reporters. “We’ll see who comes out ahead in the Congress. But I think cheating the way the president wants to is improper.” […]
Pritzker didn’t rule out the thought of Illinois Democrats redrawing congressional districts to add more Democrat-leaning districts in response to Texas.
“We’re all going to have to band together to try to address that; at least to try to stop them by letting them know that if we were doing what they were doing, in fact we would counterbalance and indeed take control of the Congress,” Pritzker said.
The process, however, would have to go through Illinois’ legislature.
“That’s not something we’re pursuing,” a spokesperson for Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said.
* Press release…
Today, Governor JB Pritzker will hold a roundtable and media availability with Texas state legislators about the Republican attacks to rig elections and the Republican cuts to healthcare, food assistance, and more.
WHAT: Governor JB Pritzker to hold roundtable with Texas state legislators
WHEN: 1:00 PM CT, Friday, July 25
WHERE: NEIU Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS), 700 E Oakwood Blvd, Chicago, IL 60653
WHO:
Governor JB Pritzker
Minority Leader Rep. Gene Wu
Rep. Linda Garcia
Rep. Ana Hernandez
Rep. Donna Howard
Rep. Cristina Morales
Rep. Richard Raymond
Rep. Toni Rose
Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons
Thoughts?
…Adding… Leader McCombie…
In response to Governor JB Pritzker’s media roundtable event with Texas lawmakers to again double down on his mid-term redistricting comments, Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie issued the following statement:
“Today, Democrats from Texas are in Chicago for a roundtable with JB Pritzker to complain about “Republican gerrymandering”—yet they’re sitting with the guy who signed one of the most extreme gerrymandered maps in the country. A map so bad, it was challenged by the NAACP and MALDEF and ranked worst in America. Apparently, they don’t think gerrymandering is wrong, they just want to be as good at it as Illinois’ own Governor.
“While they’re virtue-signaling about healthcare and food assistance, let’s be clear on the facts:
Governor JB Pritzker refused to verify citizenship for SNAP benefits, which pulls resources away from Illinois families in need.
Governor JB Pritzker spent billions on Medicaid for illegal immigrants, while legal residents are paying for them and seeing increases in their own bills.
“This roundtable isn’t about justice—it’s about political theater.”
- Leatherneck - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 9:57 am:
Can (and should) Pritzker issue an executive order containing a proposed updated map? Based on any 2025 Census or American Community Survey estimates. Perhaps with a caviat to wait to have this new map go into effect starting in the 2028 election cycle?
- Red Ranger - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 9:57 am:
The biggest city in the state is about a billion dollars short. Your transit system is a half a billion short and the largest school district in the city needs 3/4 of a billion. But please, lets focus on the issues of Texas. You can pass all of this off on a horrible Mayor, but plenty of Governors have worked to fix Chicago. Maybe before you ask for a promotion you should fix some of the problems in front of you. Hes like the employee that just expects a promotion and raise because he is entitled to it.
- Just Me 2 - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 9:59 am:
===That’s not something we’re pursuing.===
Harmon later added, “Unless we combine a new map with certain, mostly technical, changes to the state’s campaign finance laws, then the Senate Democrats will be very interested, and I believe our campaign staff — uh, I mean legal staff — would be available to draft such changes.”
- Norseman - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 10:06 am:
IL could become a sanctuary state for TX Dems fleeing the MAGA GOP voter suppression session.
- Galena Guy - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 10:10 am:
In response to Red Ranger, how about we take all those tax dollars that the Chicagoland sends to Springfield in order to keep numerous counties, particularly in the lower 1/3 of the state operating when those counties receive MUCH more more back in tax revenue than they send in? III’ll bet that would go a long way to solving the fiscal issues you mentioned regarding Chicago. Does that work for you?
- Red Ranger - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 10:14 am:
Galena, thats at least a suggestion. Havent really heard much from the the Gov other than “we are looking into that.” Gotta start somewhere. Governors own as the kids say…
- Red Ranger - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 10:18 am:
Hopefully the Governor talks at length about the districts in IL. Our districts are fair, compact and truly reflect the diversity of people and thought in this great state.
- Johnny B - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 10:21 am:
JB was for gerrymandered maps drawn by politicians to achieve a partisan outcome before he was against them
- Pundent - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 10:30 am:
=Maybe before you ask for a promotion you should fix some of the problems in front of you.=
I’m guessing you slept through the Rauner years. While there’s clearly more to be done, the state is in demonstrably better shape than where it was a few years ago. And let me know who the ILGOP picks to run as its “problem solver.” I’m sure it will be worth a chuckle or two.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 10:36 am:
===issue an executive order===
You can’t possibly be that daft.
- Are Ya Kiddin Me? - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 10:38 am:
Source: The Politics of Public Budgeting in Illinois
Ratio of Tax revenue received per $1 of Tax Paid to the State:
Cook .98C
Suburban .60C
Downstate:
North $1.38
Central $1.80
SW $1.42
South $2.88
- twowaystreet - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 11:04 am:
Can (and should) Pritzker issue an executive order containing a proposed updated map? Based on any 2025 Census or American Community Survey estimates. Perhaps with a caviat to wait to have this new map go into effect starting in the 2028 election cycle?
1. No
2. IL Supreme Court already struck down a map based on ACS data in 2021
3. The entire point of considering a new map is for the 2026 midterm election. There would be zero upside to waiting for 2028. A bunch of political blowback to have zero counterbalance to the Texas gerrymander.
- JS Mill - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 11:11 am:
@Red Ranger- Maybe you have not reviewed how local government works but Chicago has a chief executive called a mayor. His name is Brandon Johnson. He should be solving at least two of the problems you mentioned but (assuming you are a Chicago resident and if you are not my apologies) you and others like you in the city did not elect a mature adult. They elected a CTU guy and they only know how to demand somebody else solve the problems they created and they only know how to ask for more.
The city budget and CPS are Brandon Johnson’s problem.
- Garfield Ridge Guy - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 11:36 am:
As a question of strategy for democracy and the Democratic Party, Pritzker should push for a remap that gets Dems as many House seats as possible.
As a question of Pritzker’s potential personal goals, Pritzker should not push for a remap. His potential 2028 presidential campaign will be filled with accusations that Pritzker tried to cause a remap in favor of his own personal ambitions. Even though that’d be a silly accusation, it will play well with enough voters to cause Pritzker problems.
- Johnny B - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 11:37 am:
Maybe JB would have less headaches if he invested his millions of campaign spending in the Chicago Democratic Mayoral primary instead of meddling in the Republican primary for Governor
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 11:38 am:
===invested his millions of campaign spending in the Chicago Democratic Mayoral primary===
And that has… what to do with this post?
- Garfield Ridge Guy - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 11:38 am:
==In response to Red Ranger, how about we take all those tax dollars that the Chicagoland sends to Springfield in order to keep numerous counties, particularly in the lower 1/3 of the state operating when those counties receive MUCH more more back in tax revenue than they send in? III’ll bet that would go a long way to solving the fiscal issues you mentioned regarding Chicago. Does that work for you?==
If Chicagoans believed this, then they would heartily endorse a split between the Chicagoland area and downstate, because it would be financially lucrative for Chicagoland. Putting aside the obvious logistical issues–the fact that Chicago politicians uniformly oppose a split is undeniable proof that this oft-cited financial claim cannot be true.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 11:42 am:
===undeniable proof that this oft-cited financial claim cannot be true===
What a dumb thing to say.
Seriously.
I don’t know what’s in the water today, but I’ve seen more than a few extremely goofy comments.
Glad I’m going on vacation. Some of you appear to need the break more than I do.
- Frida’s boss - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 1:00 pm:
Not sure what all these comments with Govt spending and Mayor of Chicago have to do with JB going to Texas to discuss remaps?
I don’t think JB is doing anything more than running around on his Presidential listening tour.
He won’t do a remap here. The legislature won’t do a mid-session remap. This is building the JB brand in Texas.
- GoneFishing - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 1:32 pm:
Maybe instead of sending all our tax money to Washington where it goes to conservative states lets keep it and fix our own problems.’
- Johnny B - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 1:32 pm:
Not sure how much brand building JB gets in accomplished in Texas.
Running all the way to the Southside of Chicago to meet with Texas legislators to lecture them about the evils of gerrymandering
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 1:35 pm:
===lets keep it and fix our own problems===
Again, engage your brain for half a second before commenting here. People don’t pay their federal income taxes through the state government, Einstein.
- ItsMillerTime - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 1:44 pm:
The people engaging in whataboutisim about this are conveniently forgetting two things 1) Texas was already engaging in blatant gerrymandering for years 2) They are trying to gerrymander even more because Trump told them to do it to preserve his control of the federal government.
Let that sink in. The President, who four years ago tried to rig the election by instigating a riot during election certification, installing fake electors, and has a an hour long recording of him demanding the Georgia SoS “find 10,000 votes” so he could win that State is now demanding Texas and others draw their maps as biased as possible so he doesn’t risk losing the House in 2026.
Pretty huge difference if you ask me.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 1:46 pm:
===Thoughts?===
The general expectation among a lot of voters is that we are wanting someone to do something. This is something. It also draws attention and media to the issue and gives a platform with the ability to generate national press to members of congress who would potentially be struggling for attention in Texas.
I think this is a good move for someone who is looking out for the best interest of Illinois and the best interest of this country.
===“This roundtable isn’t about justice—it’s about political theater.”===
The Republican Minority Leader has issued a very sharp statement that seems to highlight that she wants people in Illinois to lose access to benefits.
I hope someone asks her how she feels about the Texas members of congress not being in Washington DC because her party has shut down house proceedings in order to protect the President from allegations of child rape.
ADDITIONAL allegations of child rape.
She needs to learn that some things don’t need a response.
- Honeybear - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 1:50 pm:
McCombie saying “refused to verify citizenship for SNAP benefits” is a stunning false statement.
Our benefit certification software won’t let a caseworker approve benefits without a Social Security Number or answering the citizenship question. No caseworker in the state has the ability to get around the software.
That makes me so mad when politicians say stuff like that.
- H-W - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 1:54 pm:
Re: McCombie
=== This roundtable isn’t about justice—it’s about political theater. ===
I believe the author of this play, this political theater, came from President Trump. I believe the first act of this play was performed in Texas by republicans. I believe the second act of this play occurred in Ohio, by republicans.
That Leader McCombie now suggests democrats wrote the play is laughable political theater - a comedy.
- Opportunism Knocks - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 2:18 pm:
@Frida’s Boss:
Governor Pritzker did not travel to Texas. The round table is being held in Chicago at a satellite campus of Northeastern Illinois University. The Texas Democrats came to Illinois for the event.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 2:24 pm:
=== JB going to Texas===
Again, the plethora of goofy comments today is driving me up a wall.
Read the post. Engage your brain. And then, and only then, comment.
I’m just gonna start banning lazy people. Final warning.
- Old Guy - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 2:33 pm:
Gerrymandering is bad. But the U.S. Supreme Court ducked the issue as a “political question” and w/o a national standard, states cannot unilaterally disarm. Trumpublicans have more gerrymandered states than Democrats.
- Really? - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 2:43 pm:
Partisan gerrymandering is an end run around Democracy and fair elections.
Is smells bad in Illinois when the Dems do it routinely, and it smells just as bad in Texas when the GOP does it. There is no middle ground - it is deplorable.
IL politicians who themselves are guilty of this putrid tradition weighing in as some kind of expert witness is absurd.
- twowaystreet - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 3:02 pm:
==I believe the second act of this play occurred in Ohio, by republicans.==
Not exactly, even though Ohio Republicans will try to press their advantage there, too. Ohio knew a 2026 remap was coming for years: https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/01/14/ohio-u-s-congressional-redistricting-is-on-the-agenda-for-2025-with-advocates-preparing/
It’s likely what gave Trump the idea to put pressure on Texas.