West Central Reporter

Gov. JB Pritzker has welcomed a group of Texas Democratic lawmakers to Illinois after they left their state to block the passage of a redistricting plan in Texas. The Texas lawmakers say the proposed map would benefit Republicans.

Illinois State Representative CD Davidsmeyer criticized the move, arguing that elected officials should not leave their states to avoid legislative duties. “There’s a time and a place to make a statement, and sometimes that statement is made with your feet. Like we see with people leaving the state of Illinois,” Davidsmeyer says, “But, running away from your obligation as a state representative or a state senator is just not upholding your end of the job.”

Governor Pritzker stated that the visiting lawmakers are welcome to remain in Illinois as long as they wish. He also mentioned considering whether Illinois should redraw its own district maps for Democrats’ advantage, saying “everything has to be on the table.” Davidsmeyer responded by accusing Illinois Democrats of already using redistricting tactics to benefit their party.

“In the state of Illinois, they’ll put republican voters in a majority democrat district to dilute their vote and ensure it remains a democrat district,” Davidsmeyer says. “For instance, in the very first election since this new map that Illinois has, democrats won 78 seats in the house. Republicans won 40 seats in the house but republicans got tens of thousands of more votes. If that doesn’t tell you that they’re diluting our votes and making sure we’re not heard, I don’t know what does.”

The last congressional redistricting in Illinois occurred in 2021.

Davidsmeyer was elected as a Republican to represent Illinois' 100th House District in 2012, taking over from Jim Watson.