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Democratic Walkout in Illinois Paralyzes Texas Mid-Decade Redistricting

By sheltering more than 30 lawmakers in Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker has prevented a quorum in Gov. Abbott’s special session to redraw U.S. House districts.

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Overview

  • Over 30 Texas House Democrats remain in Illinois under Gov. Pritzker’s protection, denying the Texas House the 100-member quorum needed to advance Gov. Abbott’s GOP-led mid-decade redistricting plan.
  • Gov. Abbott has threatened rolling 30-day special sessions, fines, the arrest of returning lawmakers and lawsuits to declare absent Democrats’ seats vacant.
  • Gov. Pritzker labeled Sen. John Cornyn’s request for FBI assistance to locate the legislators as grandstanding and affirmed that Illinois will not enforce Texas law on its soil.
  • Critics argue the proposed map would violate the Voting Rights Act and constitutional protections by diluting minority representation, spurring Democratic governors in California, New York and other states to threaten counter-redistricting measures.
  • With the special session set to expire August 19 without a quorum, the fight has shifted to Texas courts as legal battles seek to remove absentee Democrats and to uphold or block the contested maps.