Map debate, case against Texas Democrats continues in Illinois
[August 15, 2025]
By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – An Illinois Republican lawmaker says a judge’s
ruling this week did not end the case against Texas House Democrats who
fled to Illinois.
Illinois state Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, joined a lawsuit filed by Texas
Attorney General Ken Paxton against 33 Texas House Democrats who
absconded from the state to stop legislative proceedings by avoiding a
quorum. The move prevented a vote on new congressional maps during a
special legislative session.
The suit asked that the Texas Democrats be held in contempt, which would
have allowed for them to be arrested in Illinois and returned to their
home state.
Adams County Judge Scott Larson ruled that the plaintiffs had failed to
present a legal basis for the court to obtain subject-matter
jurisdiction.
According to Tracy, the case is not over.
“We are interpreting it as being a ruling solely on our petition for
emergency relief, immediate relief, and we consider our primary petition
still pending,” Tracy told The Center Square.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Texas' special session shouldn't focus on new
maps to favor Republicans, but should focus on flood relief.
“Look, it’s just proof that this is all about cheating, right? This was
a special session that was called in Texas with the purpose of providing
relief for flood victims and the families of people who died,” Pritzker
said.
[to top of second column]
|
Illinois state Sen. Jil Tracy at the Illinois State Fair Aug. 14,
2025 - Greg Bishop | The Center Square
Pritzker’s remarks followed his comments Wednesday that Texas
Republicans are cheating by redistricting halfway into a decade.
“They’re only doing that for one reason, because they’re licking the
boots of the President of the United States, who asked them to break
the rules and deliver to him seats that he’s ineligible for,”
Pritzker said.
Illinois Republicans have pointed out what they call the governor’s
hypocrisy by his stance on political maps.
The current Illinois congressional maps Pritzker signed into law for
Illinois in 2021 received a grade of “F” by Princeton’s
Gerrymandering Project.
Illinois U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, represents a
district Republicans said was gerrymandered. Budzinski said no legal
challenges have held up against the legislative maps in Illinois.
“Regardless of the district, the district is as it is. I’m proud to
represent from Urbana-Champaign all the way down to East St. Louis
and call Springfield my home. I stay focused on the issues that
matter within the district I was elected to,” Budzinski told The
Center Square.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
