2022 Illinois elections to be the most competitive in over 24 years

By Bryce Hill, Jon Josko, Dom Moran

05/11/2022

With 82 statehouse races expected to be contested – the most in at least 24 years – the number of ballots cast could reach 4.3 million. That would be the highest non-presidential year figure in recent history.

TAGS: ballot, elections, gerrymandering, Illinois

Illinois voter suppression rampant thanks to few ballot choices

By Ann Miller, Patrick Andriesen

05/11/2022

Progressive voices decry voter suppression in states such as Texas, but the very blue state of Illinois is guilty of rampant voter suppression using a system of maps and rules that defeat many challengers before they ever get on the ballot. A new effort is working to change that.

TAGS: ballot, gerrymandering, Illinois, legislative map, voter suppression

Democrats’ legislative remap dilutes Illinois minority voting power, lawsuits claim

By Patrick Andriesen

12/10/2021

The plaintiffs representing Black and Latino voters argued Illinois Democrats’ new legislative maps are gerrymandered to break up voting blocs, diluting minority voting power during the next decade.

TAGS: gerrymandering, JB Pritzker, legislative map

Pritzker again breaks veto promise, signs gerrymandered congressional maps

By Patrick Andriesen

12/01/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the congressional district map designed to boost Democrats in the U.S. House. With districts that snake and twist across the state, gerrymandering remains a hallmark of Illinois politics despite Pritzker’s pledge to veto such maps.

TAGS: gerrymandering, JB Pritzker, legislative map

4.7 million Illinoisans had no choice for state representative

By Dylan Sharkey

11/16/2021

Democracy depends on giving voters choices, but in Illinois nearly half the seats in the state legislature are filled without giving voters more than one name. A choice of one is no choice.

TAGS: fair maps, gerrymandering, Illinois, redistricting

Democrats pass gerrymandered congressional map No. 4

By Joe Tabor

10/29/2021

Illinois Democrats finally passed the fourth draft of their congressional district map after earlier versions prompted criticism from the Hispanic community and even fellow Democrats. A university gave several versions an “F.”

TAGS: congress, corruption, Democrats, elections, fair maps, gerrymandering, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, illinois House, JB Pritzker, legislative, maps

Illinois’ ‘extreme’ risk of gerrymandering becomes reality through congressional map

By Robert Brutvan

10/16/2021

The Illinois congressional map proposal released by Democrats has districts that are far from compact, snaking to catch and avoid populations. Republicans label it the ‘Nancy Pelosi Protection Plan.’

TAGS: gerrymandering, Illinois, legislative map, redistricting

Illinois lawmakers enact gerrymandered political maps

By Joe Tabor

09/01/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker promised to pass fair maps. On Aug. 31, politicians enacted maps that go back on that promise.

TAGS: gerrymandering, JB Pritzker, legislative map

Pritzker OKs gerrymandered maps, breaking promise to end partisan games

By Joe Tabor

06/05/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Democrats’ partisan legislative and judicial redistricting plans. He had repeatedly promised to veto any maps drawn by state lawmakers for their own benefit.

TAGS: corruption, fair maps, gerrymandering, JB Pritzker

Democrats’ legislative maps slam GOP after Pritzker breaks veto promise

By Brad Weisenstein

05/24/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker gave fellow Democrats a very clear signal to gerrymander state legislative maps when he backed off his veto threat and said he trusted them to be fair. Mike Madigan-style maps place 23 Republicans into races against other incumbents.

TAGS: Democratic Party, gerrymandering, JB Pritzker, legislative map