Illinois Democrats’ Week of Action: Fighting for Voting Rights

CONTACT:
Gwen Pepin
[email protected]

Chicago, IL — As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, Illinois Democrats proudly stood with our colleagues from Texas who took extraordinary action to defend voting rights and fair representation for Black and Brown voters.

Over the past three days, Illinois Democrats held a series of press conferences alongside the Texas delegation to shed light on a dangerous abuse of power: a Trump-backed scheme by Texas Governor Abbott to force through a gerrymandered map that diminishes the voting rights of marginalized communities.

This week of action concluded with DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez, DNC Chair Ken Martin, Governor Pritzker, and Texas House Democrats making it clear that Democrats are prepared to confront any assault on fair representation.

• Read Chair Hernandez’s statement
• Watch Chair Hernandez’s remarks: Illinois Democrats Chair Praises Texas Democrats For Fleeing State To Stop GOP Gerrymandering

DAY 1: Carol Stream, Illinois

• Key Highlights:
  • “The cheating here is the fact that we are midstream in 2025 and they want to rewrite the map, and for only one reason. The cult leader of their party tells them to do it because he knows he’s going to lose control of the House of Representatives after the midterm elections.” – Governor Pritzker
  • “We’re not here to have fun. We’re not here because this is easy, and we did make a decision to come here today — we did not make a decision lightly. But we come here today with absolute moral clarity that this is absolutely the right thing to do to protect the people of the state of Texas.” – Texas House Minority Leader Gene Wu

• In the News:
  • CBS Chicago: Dozens of Texas Democratic lawmakers head to Illinois in protest against redistricting plan
  • The Guardian: Illinois governor says Texas Democrats who left will be protected amid arrest threats

DAY 2: Warrenville, Illinois

• Key Highlights:
  • “You can gerrymander the hell out of that map, but guess what, two can play that game, other states will do exactly the same thing and neutralize what you’re trying to do in Texas. It’s not going to work,” – U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi
  • “What they’re trying to do in Texas affects the whole country. When you want to remove five Democrats that hurts us in the House. As you can see, what happens when there aren’t enough Democrats to stop the Big Ugly Bill. They’re trying to destroy our democracy and destroy fairness in our country, and unfortunately they’re starting with Texas.” – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly

• In the News:
  • Fox 32 Chicago: Texas Democrats continue holdout in Illinois over redistricting attempt

DAY 3: Aurora, Illinois

• Key Highlights:
  • “Democrats who—despite pressure and despite calls for their arrests— left Texas to stop Republicans from passing a racially gerrymandered map. A deliberate attempt led by Republicans to silence voters and appease Donald Trump. But what the GOP didn’t count on was a public ready to fight back against their power grab or legislators who will put themselves on the line for their constituents.” – DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez
  • “In Illinois, we don’t sit on the sidelines. In Illinois, we don’t take kindly to threats, and in Illinois, we fight back. If Trump and Texas Republicans won’t play by the rules, we will look at every option available to stop their extreme power grab, and nothing will be off the table.” – Lieutenant Governor Stratton

• In the News:
  • WTVO: Pritzker defends Illinois’ gerrymandered map on Colbert show, amid Texas redistricting drama
  • CBS Chicago: Attorney General Kwame Raoul warns Texas politicians that police can’t just come to Illinois to arrest Democrats

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