Today, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker suggested to reporters that the state might need to “counterbalance” Illinois’ congressional districts to be even more in favor of Democrats after reports that Texas is considering redrawing its current districts for Congress. This is despite the fact that Illinois’ heavily gerrymandered congressional districts already favor Democrats 14-3.
Deputy Illinois House Minority Leader Ryan Spain (R-73rd District) released the following statement in response to the Governor’s comments:
“Nothing is more phony than disingenuous and hypocritical outrage from a grandstanding Governor who signed some of the worst partisanly gerrymandered legislative maps in the country,” said Spain. “I disagree with efforts in other states to double down on further partisan gerrymandering, but I can make that statement because I voted against partisan gerrymandering in Illinois and have been dedicated to its elimination for many years.
“Let’s not forget, JB Pritzker campaigned against partisan gerrymandering and then betrayed his word as soon as it became politically useful to him. The nonpartisan Princeton Gerrymandering Project gave Illinois’ congressional districts a failing ‘F’ grade. The fact is, Democrats’ supermajorities in the Illinois General Assembly and their grip on our congressional delegation only exist because of this extreme partisan gerrymandering. Spare us the fake outrage, Governor.”
Spain also noted that multiple non-partisan organizations across the country have recognized Illinois as having some of the worst gerrymandering in the country. This fact was on full display in recent elections. In the 2024 Illinois House elections, Democratic candidates won 55% of the statewide vote, but Democratic candidates won a supermajority of seats (78 of 118, or 66.1%). In 2022, election results were even more lopsided, with Illinois House Republican candidates winning a majority of the statewide vote, but Democrats still secured a supermajority nonetheless.
Rep. Spain serves the 73rd House District, which includes portions of Bureau, Henry, Lee, Marshall, Peoria, Rock Island, Stark, Whiteside, and Woodford counties. For more information, visit RepRyanSpain.com.
