Jim Pfaff, President of The Conservative Caucus, recently asserted on social media that Illinois is "the most gerrymandered state in the nation," stating that the redistricting plan with the most votes in the legislature wins. Pfaff, a nationally recognized public policy leader with a decades-long career in conservative politics, including roles as Chief of Staff for Congressmen and leadership positions in organizations like Americans for Prosperity of Colorado, made the claim in the context of the GOP being "in control" and "entitled."
Illinois has a long history of partisan redistricting, with both Democratic and Republican parties leveraging the process when in power. The state's legislative and congressional maps are drawn by the state legislature, subject to gubernatorial veto, a system that has historically led to highly partisan outcomes. This method contrasts with states that use independent or bipartisan commissions, which are designed to reduce political influence in map-drawing.
The most recent redistricting cycle in 2021 saw Illinois Democrats, who control both legislative chambers and the governorship, draw new congressional district maps. These maps were intended to solidify Democratic power, with the Princeton Gerrymandering Project assigning Illinois' congressional map an "F" grade for partisan advantage, competitiveness, and geographic integrity. Sources indicate that the 2021 maps shifted additional seats to Democrats, resulting in the party holding 14 of the state's 17 congressional districts.
While Illinois is frequently cited as an example of aggressive partisan gerrymandering, particularly by Democrats in the current cycle, the claim of it being "the most gerrymandered state in the nation" is a strong one. Experts and analyses often point to Illinois as a significant example of Democratic gerrymandering, similar to how states like Texas and Florida are cited for Republican gerrymandering. The Supreme Court's 2019 ruling that partisan gerrymandering cannot be challenged in federal courts has further intensified state-level redistricting battles.
The debate over gerrymandering in Illinois continues to highlight concerns about fair representation and voter choice. Critics argue that the current system allows politicians to choose their voters rather than the other way around, leading to less competitive elections and entrenched political power.