SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois House Republicans say they strongly oppose any attempt to change the current congressional map to help Democrats gain another seat.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries met with Democratic leaders in Chicago and Springfield Monday to try and convince them to redraw the congressional map to give Illinois a 15-2 Democratic majority.
Rep. CD Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) said people should be outraged about Gov. JB Pritzker's flip-flopping on Illinois having fair maps.
"Governor Pritzker is leaving behind a trail of broken promises and failed policies as he seeks to elevate himself on the national level," Davidsmeyer said Tuesday. "He is clearly more interested in scoring political points in Washington, DC than he is in working to end the culture of corruption in Illinois."
Democratic members of the Illinois congressional delegation said they firmly support a new map to level the playing field, safeguard free elections and defend the state against Republican extremists.
"In the interest of minimizing disruption to the Illinois election calendar and providing voters certainty, we strongly encourage the legislature to seriously consider this new congressional map," the delegation said.
However, House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch said no map will be passed this week. Some think Illinois Democrats may wait to see if Indiana lawmakers draw new lines for their congressional districts before calling a special session to pass a new map for the Land of Lincoln.
"Candidates have approached voters throughout 17 gerrymandered congressional districts, getting their signatures on a petition, submitting that these voters believe these candidates should stand for them and appear on the ballot," said Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria). "If we pursue this type of action, the rights of those voters will be flushed away."
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