SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker is facing backlash after he said Texas lawmakers are cheating by planning to redraw congressional districts to give Republicans more power. Illinois Republicans said Pritzker is flip-flopping on gerrymandering after he approved maps drawn by Democratic leaders in 2021.
The governor frequently told voters during his first campaign that he strongly opposed gerrymandering and would veto any partisan map sent to his desk. However, Pritzker signed partisan maps into law, giving Democrats an even larger supermajority.
"I think we ought to play by the rules, everybody," Pritzker said Tuesday. "I think we ought to have an election in 2026—we'll see who comes out ahead in Congress. But, I think cheating the way the president wants to is improper. We all ought to stand up against it. People ought to be outraged."
Republicans were quick to criticize Pritzker's comments about fair maps. Rep. CD Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) said Pritzker is leaving behind a trail of broken promises and failed policies as he seeks the national stage.
"He's the cheater in chief because he's the one who created the most gerrymandered map in the nation, definitely the most gerrymandered map in the history of the state of Illinois," Davidsmeyer told WAND News.
Still, Davidsmeyer knows Texas could start a domino effect if President Trump allows the state to create new maps mid-decade. He said Illinois lawmakers should start subject matter hearings to talk with nonpartisan groups about the importance of maps drawn outside of the Capitol halls.
"The opposition to gerrymandering is probably a 75-80% issue," Davidsmeyer said. "Republican or Democrat, everybody is opposed to gerrymandering."
House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) said her caucus remains committed to fairness and transparency.Â
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