Illinois leaders ‘outraged’ by Supreme Court redistricting decision

State leaders in Illinois spoke with WGN-TV about Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling on Congressional redistricting in Louisiana.

Plaintiffs argued the boundaries of their congressional district were created by relying too heavily on the racial makeup of voters. The court agreed. That decision counters how many states have interpreted the Voting Rights Act to include race-conscious data in redistricting.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says the decision clears the way for states to eliminate voting districts that have a majority of Black or Latino voters.

“It’s an abomination. They literally have gone after the crown jewel of American democracy. That is, we have diverse representation in this country. And now we’re not going to have that because of this Supreme Court. I’m outraged. I’m outraged on behalf of Black and brown people across the United States, on behalf of minorities in the United States who have fought so hard for this Voting Rights Act to make sure that they were represented and now the Republicans are taking that away.”

Pritzker, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, and Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor Christian Mitchell sat down with Political Editor Tahman Bradley to share their thoughts on the decision.

“I come with the lens of my father, who marched from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 to protest voting rights discrimination, and so many others who marched and protested and raised their voices. And here we are 60 years later, 61 years later, and look at what’s happening,” Stratton said.

They’re vowing a fight here in Illinois and nationwide to keep all aspects of the Voting Rights Act alive.

“We’re not going to accept this, yes, in Illinois, but across the country. And that’s what we have to do. We’re going to continue to encourage people to do that from our positions,” Mitchell said.

Meanwhile, following the ruling, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon said his chamber will not vote on a bill that would put congressional redistricting to a statewide vote.

The House earlier passed a bill to put a proposed Illinois Constitutional amendment on redistricting on the ballot. Harmon now says the Senate will not consider that bill, giving legal experts time to better understand what the ruling means for voters in the state.

‘The Point’ airs on WGN and streams on WGN+ each weeknight at 6:45 p.m. CT

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