Stephen Colbert Exposes Illinois' 'Crazy' Gerrymandering Amid Texas Debate

Stephen Colbert Highlights Illinois Gerrymandering on His Late-Night Show

During a recent episode of his late-night talk show, Stephen Colbert took the opportunity to address the issue of gerrymandering in Illinois. The host invited Illinois Governor JB Pritzker onto the show and used the platform to discuss how the state’s congressional map has been manipulated for political advantage.

Colbert placed a map of Illinois on the desk during the interview, drawing attention to one specific district that he described as “the stinger on a scorpion.” This visual aid was meant to illustrate the extent of gerrymandering in the state. According to reports, this issue has gained traction due to the actions of Texas Democratic legislators who have fled to Illinois and New York to avoid redistricting efforts in their home state.

“I’m not sure if you’re considering doing a little more redrawing in Illinois, but you already have some crazy districts,” Colbert said to the governor. He then pointed out District 17, describing its unusual shape and how it winds through different areas of the state. “It does that, then it comes up here and sneaks around there and goes all the way up here, and then goes right over there like that,” he explained.

Governor Pritzker remained firm in his stance when asked about the possibility of adjusting the map to benefit Democratic candidates. “It’s possible,” he said, hinting at the potential for an eye-for-an-eye approach in response to Texas’ redistricting efforts. “As I’ve said, everything’s on the table. Look, we’ve got to fight fire with fire. They’ve frankly tossed the rulebook out. And they’re just acting in an unconstitutional fashion.”

Gerrymandering is not a new phenomenon. The term itself dates back to 1812 when Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry signed a bill that created a district shaped like a salamander, leading to the coining of the word “gerrymander.” Since then, the practice of drawing district lines for political gain has become common across the United States.

Colbert questioned whether gerrymandering is a widespread practice among all states. The governor responded with a humorous remark, saying, “We handed it over to a kindergarten class and let them decide.” When Colbert asked if this was a nonpartisan group, the governor confirmed it was an independent commission.

The conversation then turned to why Texas' actions were particularly problematic. Pritzker explained that Texas Republicans are attempting to redraw maps mid-decade, which is rare. “What the Republicans are trying to do in Texas, at the behest of Donald Trump, is extraordinarily rare,” he said.

Colbert added, “That’s a good point because I think he literally called them or wrote them and said, ‘Hey, I need five seats, go redraw this.’” This reference to former President Trump highlighted the controversy surrounding the Texas redistricting process.

Illinois currently sends 17 representatives to the House of Representatives, with only three being Republicans. Last year, President Donald Trump received nearly 44% of the vote in Illinois during the presidential election. This suggests that a fairer map could have resulted in seven Republican House members.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the issue of gerrymandering remains a critical topic for discussion. With both states and federal officials involved, the debate over fair representation and electoral integrity shows no signs of slowing down.