Pritzker: Fair maps in Illinois would be 'disarming' to Democrats

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

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Democrats would be “disarming” if they agreed to fair maps state by state.

Pritzker was asked Wednesday about the Fair Maps Illinois initiative to establish a redistricting commission.

“I think having an independent commission is a good idea. It has to be done on a national basis, though. It can’t be done state by state. We’d be unilaterally disarming as Democrats if we did that,” Pritzker said.

Fair Maps Illinois is a nonpartisan effort led by two of former President Barack Obama’s Cabinet members. The bipartisan coalition is pushing for a 2026 ballot referendum on a constitutional amendment to establish a redistricting commission.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for South Suburban College’s Allied Health & Nursing Center in South Holland, Pritzker was asked if he would oppose Fair Maps at the state level.

“No, I think that they have not yet put forward what their final language is and decided exactly how this will go forward,” Pritzker answered.

Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood launched Fair Maps Illinois on Tuesday.

The governor did not offer support, although he said he respects LaHood.

“I would hope that included in that language of the referendum amendment would be language that would enact an independent commission when all of the states have enacted an independent commission,” Pritzker said.

The Illinois Republican Party offered a response to Pritzker’s comments.

“Don’t forget that in Illinois, Republicans get just 17% of seats with 44% of the vote. We all know that J.B. Pritzker only does what’s best for J.B. Pritzker. Get off your soapbox and lead, Governor,” an Illinois GOP spokesperson said in a statement.

Constitutional attorney Michael Dorf was asked about ballot language at the Fair Maps launch in Chicago on Tuesday.

“The language that the commission submits to the Secretary of State ends up being the language that goes on the ballot,” Dorf said.

Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, expressed support for Fair Maps Illinois.

“For decades, Illinois voters have been silenced by heavily gerrymandered maps that let politicians choose their voters instead of the other way around. Although past attempts to reform the system were blocked by the Democratic majority, a new initiative launched this week marks a promising step forward,” McCombie said in a statement.

McCombie said Illinois needs an independent redistricting process that amplifies voters’ voices and strengthens democracy.

“Since the Governor failed to keep his promise to the people of Illinois, the Fair Maps Illinois Initiative now stands as our best path toward meaningful change,” McCombie said.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Illinois State Fair: Affordable fun backed by $140M in taxpayer funding

WATCH: Illinois State Fair: Affordable fun backed by $140M in taxpayer funding

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The 2025 Illinois State Fair is being praised for its affordability and accessibility to families across...
Op-Ed: State lawmakers gut Emmett Till Day bill, expose Illinois’ corruption problem

Op-Ed: State lawmakers gut Emmett Till Day bill, expose Illinois’ corruption problem

By LyLena D. Estabine | Illinois Policy InstituteThe Center Square July 25, 2025, would have marked Illinois’ first Emmett Till Day, a commemoration of the 14-year-old Chicagoan whose 1955 lynching...
Democratic PACs being investigated for bankrolling AWOL Texas House Democrats

Democratic PACs being investigated for bankrolling AWOL Texas House Democrats

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Democratic political action committees are being investigated by state, and potentially federal, authorities over claims they...
Pritzker: Chicago mayor 'never once called' to oppose pension bill

Pritzker: Chicago mayor ‘never once called’ to oppose pension bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson never called him to oppose a pension bill...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 7th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 7th, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop continues his coverage...
Illinois quick hits: Cook County declares flood disaster; opt-out forms promoted; State Fair begins

Illinois quick hits: Cook County declares flood disaster; opt-out forms promoted; State Fair begins

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Cook County, Chicago declare flood disaster Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle have issued respective disaster...
Screenshot 2025-08-06 at 8.05.52 PM

Manhattan to Enact Local 1% Grocery Tax, Replacing State Revenue Stream

MANHATTAN – The Village of Manhattan will implement a 1% local grocery tax beginning January 1, 2026, a move designed to preserve a crucial revenue stream after the State of...
Screenshot 2025-08-06 at 8.05.44 PM

Manhattan Hires New Full-Time Accountant Amid Village Growth

MANHATTAN – To manage an increasing workload driven by village growth, the Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday unanimously approved the hiring of Joseph Page as a new full-time accountant for...
WATCH: IL Republican pushes for TX quorum rules that Pritzker hails as ‘hero’ move

WATCH: IL Republican pushes for TX quorum rules that Pritzker hails as ‘hero’ move

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While Gov. J.B. Pritzker jokes on national TV that Illinois’ congressional maps were drawn by kindergartners, a...
Police Crime

Manhattan Police Report

Disclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely an accusation, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. On July 31, 2025, at 1:49 P.M. officers...
Fire-Ambulance-Rescue-Logo

Indiana Woman Identified as Victim in Fatal Wilmington-Peotone Road Crash

The Will County Coroner’s Office has officially identified the woman killed in Tuesday’s fatal crash on Wilmington-Peotone Road as 70-year-old Judith L. Stirm of Delphi, Indiana. In a statement, Coroner...
Frankfort-Police-Rescue

Multiple Agencies Rescue Person in Mental Health Crisis from Frankfort Pond

A person experiencing a mental health crisis was safely rescued from a pond near 80th Avenue in Lakeview Estates on Wednesday after a coordinated response by multiple emergency agencies. Frankfort...
Green-Garden-Logo.WP

Green Garden Township Forges Ahead with New Town Hall Plan, Faces Budget and Neighbor Concerns

The Green Garden Township Board is advancing an ambitious plan to build a new, larger town hall and community center on a six-acre parcel south of its current location, a...
Meeting-7.28.25

IT Consultant Urges Green Garden Township to Adopt Modern Cybersecurity Measures

Green Garden Township’s digital infrastructure is vulnerable to cybercrime and requires an immediate overhaul, including adopting a modern, secure email system and multifactor authentication, an IT consultant told the board...
Sanchez

Sanchez Family Unveils Major Redevelopment Plan for Monee Industrial Property

Article Summary: Developer Luis Sanchez, a key figure in Monee's commercial growth for two decades, presented a plan to revitalize an industrial property on Industrial Drive. The project, which includes...