East Central Reporter

State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) is calling out Gov. J.B. Pritzker over what he describes as hypocrisy on redistricting, accusing the governor of defending partisan maps in Illinois while denouncing similar efforts in Texas.

Miller’s comments come after Pritzker publicly praised a group of Texas Democratic lawmakers who traveled to Illinois to block a vote on a GOP-backed congressional map in their home state. At the time, Pritzker called their walkout a stand for democracy — a stance Miller says is at odds with the governor’s own record.

“JB Pritzker is a liar, period,” Miller said in an interview with the East Central Reporter. “And the Democratic leadership in the General Assembly benefits from his reversal.”

Pritzker had campaigned on creating an independent redistricting commission, but later signed into law the 2021 legislative maps drawn by Democratic lawmakers. The maps received an “F” for fairness from Princeton’s Gerrymandering Project, and the advocacy group Common Cause called them a national cautionary tale.

“Illinois and Texas are not the same, and nothing Texas does or doesn't do changes the fact that Illinois' maps are garbage,” Miller said. “The Governor admitted himself that Illinois' maps look like a child drew them.”

Democrats currently hold a 14-3 advantage in Illinois’ congressional delegation, despite Donald Trump receiving 44% of the vote in the 2024 election. In the General Assembly, Republicans hold 33% of House seats and 32% of Senate seats.

“Illinois' citizens are not correctly represented, both in Springfield and DC, by these maps,” Miller said. “There is no reality where we should only have 3 Congressional seats as Republicans.”

Republican lawmakers argue that more competitive maps would better reflect the state’s political balance.

“It would make people realize that Illinois is not as deep blue as many think,” Miller said. “An accurate map would mean accurate representation. Even if the Democrats likely held their majority in Springfield, the entire landscape would change from seemingly permanent, tyrannical one-party rule.”

Miller also pointed to immigration and population data as contributing factors in what he described as distorted political representation.

“Illinois' maps reflect widely incorrect population data because we imported thousands of illegal immigrants into this state,” he said.

Miller criticized House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who has defended the maps by saying they “look like Illinois.”

“Well, he is right,” Miller said. “Our maps are screwed up, just like Illinois, and it is all because of their failed Democratic policies.”

Other Republican leaders have echoed Miller’s criticism. DuPage County GOP Chair Kevin Coyne said, “No state has done more to make a mockery of the map drawing process than has Illinois.”

Pritzker has addressed the issue in national interviews. On The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he joked that Illinois’ districts were drawn by a “Kindergarten class.” In an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, he dismissed watchdog criticism of the state’s maps as a “distraction.”

Whether the redistricting debate affects Pritzker’s political future — particularly amid speculation about a 2028 presidential bid — remains uncertain.

For now, Miller said the controversy reflects broader concerns about governance in Illinois.

“Let me just be clear — the word bipartisan in Springfield is an empty, feel-good, worthless buzzword to make people think that Republicans and Democrats have any shared priorities,” he said. “The Democrats in charge allowed Republicans to pass what, less than 20% of the bills that passed in Springfield this year? Many of them meaningless, name changes or pet projects.”

Republicans have also raised concerns about limited debate time in the legislature and grant funding being directed primarily to Democratic districts.

“A few ‘feel good’ bills to make someone feel like an important lawmaker is a small price to pay for the Democrats to have controlled opposition—and many in our party fall for it every time,” Miller said.

Pritzker’s critics also continue to reference the legacy of former Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, now facing federal corruption charges. Madigan previously helped block a 2016 redistricting reform initiative through a court ruling issued by a justice backed by his political operation.

Critics argue that legacy was carried forward under Pritzker.

“There is nothing we can do unless we win,” Miller said. “How do we win? More Republicans need to vote — especially the 500,000+ that vote for Republicans in a presidential cycle but stay home in midterms.”

Miller represents the 101st House District, which includes Coles, Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Edgar and Lawrence counties.