WATCH: Map debate, case against Texas Democrats continues in Illinois

WATCH: Map debate, case against Texas Democrats continues in Illinois

(The Center Square) – An Illinois Republican lawmaker says a judge’s ruling this week did not end the case against Texas House Democrats who fled to Illinois.

Illinois state Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, joined a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against 33 Texas House Democrats who absconded from the state to stop legislative proceedings by avoiding a quorum. The move prevented a vote on new congressional maps during a special legislative session.

The suit asked that the Texas Democrats be held in contempt, which would have allowed for them to be arrested in Illinois and returned to their home state.

Adams County Judge Scott Larson ruled that the plaintiffs had failed to present a legal basis for the court to obtain subject-matter jurisdiction.

According to Tracy, the case is not over.

“We are interpreting it as being a ruling solely on our petition for emergency relief, immediate relief, and we consider our primary petition still pending,” Tracy told The Center Square.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Texas’ special session shouldn’t focus on new maps to favor Republicans, but should focus on flood relief.

“Look, it’s just proof that this is all about cheating, right? This was a special session that was called in Texas with the purpose of providing relief for flood victims and the families of people who died,” Pritzker said.

Pritzker’s remarks followed his comments Wednesday that Texas Republicans are cheating by redistricting halfway into a decade.

“They’re only doing that for one reason, because they’re licking the boots of the President of the United States, who asked them to break the rules and deliver to him seats that he’s ineligible for,” Pritzker said.

Illinois Republicans have pointed out what they call the governor’s hypocrisy by his stance on political maps.

The current Illinois congressional maps Pritzker signed into law for Illinois in 2021 received a grade of “F” by Princeton’s Gerrymandering Project.

Illinois U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, represents a district Republicans said was gerrymandered. Budzinski said no legal challenges have held up against the legislative maps in Illinois.

“Regardless of the district, the district is as it is. I’m proud to represent from Urbana-Champaign all the way down to East St. Louis and call Springfield my home. I stay focused on the issues that matter within the district I was elected to,” Budzinski told The Center Square.

Pritzker said Illinois would house and protect Texas Democrats as long as they wanted to stay.

Tracy said the Texas lawmakers might go home when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott calls another special session.

“That’s been our goal all along. They have official business to take care of, and they need to perform their official duties,” Tracy said.

Tracy said this is the reason she wanted to be local counsel in the case.

“From my perspective as an elected official myself, you’ve got to abide by your oath and show up,” Tracy added.

Tracy said that Paxton could announce the next step in the case on Friday.

Bethany Blankley and Greg Bishop contributed to this story.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Detransitioner gets a second chance at medical malpractice lawsuit against doctors

WATCH: Detransitioner gets a second chance at medical malpractice lawsuit against doctors

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A young woman whose detransition story has been one of the most widely covered in the nation will soon learn if a judge in North...
WATCH: CA Democrats pass congressional redistricting plan

WATCH: CA Democrats pass congressional redistricting plan

By Dave MasonThe Center Square After a day of vigorous debates punctuated by occasional applause, both houses of the California Legislature Thursday passed the three bills making up the congressional...
Pew: U.S. immigrant population declines for first time in nearly 60 years

Pew: U.S. immigrant population declines for first time in nearly 60 years

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square The U.S.’s foreign-born population shrunk this year for the first time since the 1960s, new data released Thursday from the nonpartisan Pew Research Center found....
WATCH: Illinois’ FY23 financial audit released amid criticism of tardy reports

WATCH: Illinois’ FY23 financial audit released amid criticism of tardy reports

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers can now look at how the state spent their money in the fiscal year that...
European Union says U.S. consumers will end up paying tariffs

European Union says U.S. consumers will end up paying tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square European Union leaders detailed the terms of a trade deal they struck with President Donald Trump on Thursday, making sure to point out who will...
Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Anti-SLAPP bill signed Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation to protect news media from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP). The...
U.S.-EU trade deal includes ceiling for European pharmaceutical imports

U.S.-EU trade deal includes ceiling for European pharmaceutical imports

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The European Union has escaped a potential 250% pharmaceutical tariff and instead has secured a maximum 15% levy with the U.S. according to a joint...
Supreme Court allows Trump to block DEI funding

Supreme Court allows Trump to block DEI funding

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision on Thursday, allowed President Donald Trump to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in federal research grants....
Trump to probe Smithsonian museums for 'woke' ideology

Trump to probe Smithsonian museums for ‘woke’ ideology

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump has promised to crack down on “woke” ideas promoted in museums across the United States, including the federally funded Smithsonian museums in...
Director: Nation’s largest outdoor ag show brings economic impact to central IL

Director: Nation’s largest outdoor ag show brings economic impact to central IL

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The nation’s largest outdoor agricultural show is set for next week in Central Illinois. The Farm Progress...
Personnel cuts to national intelligence office will save taxpayers $700 million

Personnel cuts to national intelligence office will save taxpayers $700 million

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is set to undergo a massive overhaul and cut 40% of its workforce, continuing the Trump administration’s...
Redistricting would split cities, counties throughout CA

Redistricting would split cities, counties throughout CA

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Lodi, a Northern California city of 66,000 people, will be divided among three congressional districts if a Democratic Party-backed redistricting map goes into effect. And...
Pritzker: Fair maps in Illinois would be 'disarming' to Democrats

Pritzker: Fair maps in Illinois would be ‘disarming’ to Democrats

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Democrats would be “disarming” if they agreed to fair maps state by...
NY appeals court overturns Trump's civil fraud penalty

NY appeals court overturns Trump’s civil fraud penalty

By Chris WadeThe Center Square A New York appeals court has tossed out a $454 million civil fraud verdict against Donald Trump and his family business over charges he broke...
Casey Police Graphic Logo

Casey Police Department to Add New Officer

Article Summary: The Casey Police Department will soon have a new officer on its roster after the City Council unanimously approved the hiring of Tommy Starks. The approval follows a...