Pritzker Keeps Door Open to Redrawing Illinois Congressional Map
Governor JB Pritzker speaks at the opening of the Illinois State Fair Thursday. (Photo: State Journal-Register)
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As Texas Democrats continue to hide out in the Chicago suburbs to prevent their state from gerrymandering a new congressional map, Governor JB Pritzker Thursday again left the door open to drawing new congressional maps in Illinois to expand on the already 14-3 Democratic majority.
Speaking after cutting the ribbon to open the Illinois State Fair Thursday, Pritzker said legislative leaders are “aware” of the possibility of drawing new congressional maps, but haven’t had serious discussions.
“The only brief conversations we’ve had about it have been about the fact that we’ve gotta do everything we can,” Pritzker said. “We’re all looking for the right avenues.”
But, while Pritzker said maps to try to draw a 15th Democratic district haven’t been drawn, he didn’t close the door on the effort.
“Nobody’s done any work on a map for Illinois,” Pritzker said. “We’re not making any moves right now. If we have to, we’re gonna look at all the options that are available to us.”
If Democrats were to try to redraw a congressional map, it would come with great challenges. Petition circulation under the current maps is already underway and drawing another Democratic district would likely soften the Democratic strength in districts held by members like Congressman Eric Sorensen (D-Moline), Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield), Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville), and Congressman Sean Casten (D-Downers Grove).
