Illinois is poised to potentially redraw its congressional maps ahead of the midterm elections in March 2024, as Democratic leaders seek to address gerrymandering practices that have long shaped the state’s political landscape. On Monday, U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries visited Springfield to advocate for an aggressive response to gerrymandering, urging Governor JB Pritzker and state lawmakers to take a stand against practices that favor Republican candidates in other states.
Illinois is already known for having maps that have contributed to a significant Democratic advantage, with 14 congressional seats allocated to Democrats and only three to Republicans. Jeffries underscored the need for Illinois to lead efforts to counteract what he described as the Trump administration’s ongoing attempts to manipulate electoral maps to benefit Republican representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In a meeting with Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch, Jeffries stated, “Democrats have made clear that we are going to respond… to ensure that the national congressional map is as fair as it could possibly be so that we allow for free and fair elections, and that the American people can decide, not Donald Trump.”
The timing of Jeffries’ visit coincided with the opening of the candidate filing period for the upcoming midterms, during which Pritzker was among the first to submit his nominating petitions. While he refrained from committing to immediate redistricting, he acknowledged the ongoing discussions around the issue. “It doesn’t have to happen during the veto session. It could happen after that,” Pritzker remarked, suggesting that the conversation about redistricting is still in its early stages.
Democrats in Illinois see the potential for a new map to increase their congressional representation to a possible 15-2 advantage. State Senator Willie Preston, who is campaigning for Congress in Chicago’s 2nd District, expressed caution regarding any changes. He emphasized that he would only support a new map if it does not dilute Black political representation in key districts. “If it dilutes the Black vote… the answer is hell no!” Preston asserted, highlighting the importance of maintaining representation for Black lawmakers in the 1st, 2nd, and 7th congressional districts.
In contrast, Illinois Republicans criticized Jeffries’ visit, suggesting he should focus on bipartisan collaboration in Washington instead of addressing state issues. The Illinois Republican Party released a statement asserting that Pritzker and the Democrats have already created one of the most partisan maps in history. The statement emphasized their commitment to advocating for fair maps and representation, stating, “While Democrats continue to play partisan games, the Illinois Republican Party will continue to fight for fair maps and representation.”
As state lawmakers weigh the implications of redistricting, questions remain regarding the feasibility of implementing changes in time for the midterm elections. Legal uncertainties loom over whether new maps can be established after the submission of nominating petitions. The outcome of this debate will be crucial not only for Illinois but also for the broader context of electoral fairness in the United States.