House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently convened with the Illinois congressional delegation via Zoom to discuss potential redistricting plans that may influence future elections and shift political power. Although specific maps were not presented during the meeting, sources indicate that preliminary discussions have considered alterations that could impact the representation of Black communities.

According to an anonymous attendee, the discourse has pinpointed Republican Rep. Mary Miller’s district as a possible area for redrawing. This move could potentially reduce the number of Republican-held seats, as Miller is one of only three Republicans among the 17-member Illinois delegation. “It’s what you’d expect. They’re trying to get another district,” the source noted.

These talks come at a time of heightened sensitivity about the balance of political influence and the representation of minority communities. Another participant expressed concerns about the broader implications: “At what cost do you try to get one more seat? How many more do you put in jeopardy?”

The redistricting efforts in Illinois mirror a national Democratic strategy to secure more congressional seats in traditionally Republican territories, as the party prepares for the 2026 and 2028 elections. Jeffries has identified Illinois and Maryland as key battlegrounds for potential gains.

During a recent trip to Springfield, Jeffries underscored the urgency of these efforts. In a statement to POLITICO, he criticized former President Donald Trump's attempts to influence the upcoming midterms, asserting that Democrats are compelled to act in defense of American democratic principles.

Governor JB Pritzker, while not immediately available for comment, has previously hinted at the possibility of redistricting as a countermeasure to Republican strategies in other states. “None of us want to go through a redistricting process. But if we're forced to, it's something we'll consider doing,” he stated in an interview with NPR Illinois.

The Illinois General Assembly, dominated by Democrats, holds the authority to approve any new maps. Historically, following the 2020 census, the state's Democrats successfully reshaped districts, which favored their party and eliminated two Republican incumbents.

As the state approaches the Nov. 3 filing deadline for congressional candidates, any changes to district maps would need to be expedited. Election attorney Michael Dorf highlighted that adjustments are legally permissible, suggesting that signature requirements for candidates could be uniformly set to ease the transition.

Despite these preliminary discussions, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and House Republican Leader Tony McCombie indicate that formal talks have yet to commence. “We haven’t seen any maps. We haven’t had any conversations with our members about maps,” Welch stated. However, McCombie criticized the potential for aggressive redistricting, labeling it as an inappropriate response to the political landscape.

As the legislative session resumes, the topic of redistricting is poised to be a focal point of debate, reflecting the ongoing national conversation about fair representation and electoral integrity.