Gov Pritzker: My Gerrymandering is Fine Because It Only Disenfranchises White People

In a baffling turn of events, the media actually questioned whether Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is really qualified to be the standard bearer against gerrymandering on account of his state being more rigged than a south side backroom poker game.

KRISTEN WELKER: I do want to look at the map of Illinois. Let’s take a look at this: despite President Trump winning 44% of the statewide vote in 2024, Republicans hold only three of Illinois’s 17 districts. These districts seem to be to maximize Democratic advantage. What do you say to those who argue that it’s hypocritical for you to criticize Texas for partisanship when your state also drew maps to boost your party’s standing?

JB PRITZKER: Well, remember that what Texas is trying to do is, again, violate the Voting Rights Act. We didn’t. We held public hearings, legislative hearings. People attended them. They spoke out. There was a map that was put out. There were actually changes made to the map and a map was passed

What does any of that mean? Well they held hearings and people attended them and then the state was gerrymandered well above what Texas wants to do.

In Illinois, where Trump won 43% of the vote, there are 14 Democrats and only 3 Republicans for 82% control by the ruling party. Even if Texas were to go ahead with its plan, it would be at 78% Republican control.

Pritzker and Dems keep talking about the Voting Rights Act because their only comeback isn’t defending their gerrymandering, it’s claiming that their gerrymandering isn’t racist (because it disenfranchises white people alone.)