Illinois redistricting map: IL Democrats embrace gerrymandering in fight for US House

Former President Barack Obama, other Dems have railed against 'rigging' elections

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Saturday, October 30, 2021
Redistricting Illinois: Dems embrace gerrymandering in US House fight
In the fight to keep control of the U.S. House, Democrats need help from the few places where state lawmakers can make 2022 difficult for Republicans.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- In the fight to keep control of the U.S. House of Representatives, Democrats need help from the few places where state lawmakers can make 2022 difficult for Republicans.

Illinois Democrats delivered Thursday, using their dominance in state government to advance new congressional district maps intended to eliminate two Republican-held districts and send more Democrats to Washington.

RELATED: Illinois Democrats unveil updated congressional redistricting maps

To do it, Democrats have embraced gerrymandering, the practice of drawing district boundaries for political benefit that party leaders, including former President Barack Obama, have railed against as "rigging" elections.

The new map is a collection of odd shapes that critics say is also a symbol of Democrats' hypocrisy.

Bryan Zarou from the Better Government Association joined ABC7 Chicago Saturday to discuss what will happen next.