U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was in Illinois on Monday, meeting with members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and Black members of the state’s congressional delegation in Chicago. Later in the day he was in Springfield to meet with the House Speaker and the Senate President.
While the New York congressman told reporters his talks with the 2 leaders were “positive” and focused on “the need to keep all options on the table and respond decisively,” House Minority Deputy Leader Ryan Spain of Peoria said he finds it infuriating and offensive that the Democratic leader of the United States congress, a person who is uniquely responsible for a month long federal government shutdown, would find it in his interest to come to Illinois to advocate for further corrupt gerrymandering.
That’s because in 2021, Illinois lawmakers enacted one of the most partisan gerrymanders in the country. Republicans have been relegated to just 18% of the state’s congressional seats despite President Donald Trump winning 43.5% of the statewide vote in 2024.
