WATCH: Pritzker welcomes FBI looking for TX Dems in IL, dismisses bribery question

WATCH: Pritzker welcomes FBI looking for TX Dems in IL, dismisses bribery question

(The Center Square) – As the FBI gets involved in locating Texas Democrats hiding out in states like Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker says they are welcome, but the Democratic governor insists the absconding legislators aren’t breaking any federal law.

At the request of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the FBI on Thursday agreed to assist with locating Texas Democrats who fled the state to prevent the Texas House from reaching a quorum to change congressional district maps.

“I am proud to announce that Director Kash Patel has approved my request for the FBI to assist state and local law enforcement in locating runaway Texas House Democrats,” Cornyn said. “I thank President [Donald] Trump and Director Patel for supporting and swiftly acting on my call for the federal government to hold these supposed lawmakers accountable for fleeing Texas. We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities.”

After cutting the ribbon on the 2025 Illinois State Fair Thursday, Pritzker said the Texas Republicans are “grandstanding.” He said the FBI is only going to help locate the absconding Democrats.

“The reality is that all that he has said, Cornyn, is that the FBI has been authorized to locate the Texas House Democrats, nothing more,” Pritzker said. “And you know why? Because there is no federal law that allows them to arrest Texas Democrats who are here visiting the state of Illinois.”

Pritzker welcomed the FBI to Illinois.

“I hope they take in the State Fair. I hope they go see the beauty of Lake Michigan. Yeah. Adventure awaits, for all of them,” Pritzker said, playing off the fair’s theme “Adventure Awaits.” “But they won’t be arresting anyone because there is no U.S. federal law that prohibits those Texas House Democrats from being here in the state of Illinois.”

Dozens of the 50 Texas Democrats have been in Illinois since Sunday. Cornyn said he’s concerned that Texas legislators accepting funds to aid in their avoidance of legislative duties may be guilty of bribery or other public corruption.

Asked Thursday if the legislators accepting resources to avoid taking official action in Texas could cross the line into bribery, Pritzker dismissed the notion.

“Have you ever been forced to spend a lot of time away from your family and your job? I can just say these people are making enormous sacrifices,” Pritzker said. “They’re here because they’re fighting for democracy. And I’ve said that over and over again; we all ought to be supporting people who are standing up for our country, for our constitutional republic.”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said any charges would come from county-level prosecutors.

“Ultimately, it’s up to local District Attorneys, most of these are Democratic District Attorneys by the way, for these Democrats to prosecute,” Paxton told Fox News. “I think it’s unlikely – a small probability.”

As to whether Illinois will change their congressional districts in response to Texas Republicans aiming to boost the GOP, Pritzker said Illinois has maps that were approved in 2021.

“That’s when they’re done. Right after a decennial census, and that’s when they should be done,” Pritzker said. “Not in the middle of a decade. Just because Donald Trump wants to change the math for 2026.”

But, Pritzker said if they have to, Illinois Democrats will look at “all of the options that are available.”

Illinois’ maps already are among the most gerrymandered in the country, favoring Democrats. Illinois holds 17 seats in Congress, with 14 of them filled by Democrats.

Bethany Blankley contributed to this story.

###

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Will-County-Legislative-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

Will County Seeks Asian Carp Provision in Federal Legislative Agenda

Will County Board member Julie Berkowicz is pushing to add specific language addressing Asian carp invasion to the county's federal legislative agenda, citing the ongoing threat to local waterways as...
Will-County-Legislative-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

State Legislative Session Update: Transit, Energy Bills Stall Despite Democratic Control

Illinois lawmakers failed to advance major transit funding and comprehensive energy legislation during the recently concluded spring session, leaving key issues unresolved despite Democratic supermajorities in both chambers, according to...
Will-County-Capital-Improvements-IT-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

Will County’s Major Capital Projects Hit Key Milestones, VAC Buildout on “Aggressive Schedule”

Will County is making significant headway on several major capital improvement projects, with the new Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) & Support Center in Joliet on an “aggressive schedule” for a...
Will-County-Public-Works-Transportation-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

County Board Approves 2026-2031 Transportation Plan Despite Project Opposition

Will County board members approved a contested five-year transportation improvement plan Tuesday after heated debate over a controversial Homer Glen road project that has drawn sustained community opposition. The Will...
Will-County-Planning-and-Zoning-Commission-Meeting-July-1-2025

Contentious I-3 Rezoning for DuPage Township Storage Yard Narrowly Advances

A proposal to rezone a 20-acre parcel in DuPage Township from agricultural to the county's most intensive industrial classification narrowly earned a recommendation for approval from the Will County Planning...
Meeting-Briefs

Will County Legislative Committee July 1 Meeting Briefs

Federal Budget Impact: Will County could face significant funding challenges if federal budget reconciliation measures reduce Medicaid and SNAP benefits. The county health department and social services rely heavily on...
Will-County-Finance-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

County Moves Forward with $200.8 Million Bond Refinancing Plan

Will County Finance Committee members on July 1 approved moving forward with a comprehensive bond refinancing ordinance that could save taxpayers more than $716,000 over the life of the bonds...
Will-County-Public-Works-Transportation-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

Access Will County Dial-a-Ride Program Sees Record Growth, Eyes Expansion

Will County's dial-a-ride transportation service for seniors and disabled residents reached record ridership levels while officials plan major expansion to cover all county townships. The Access Will County program served...
Will-County-Capital-Improvements-IT-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

Will County to Launch New Public Meeting Agenda System in August Amidst Data Conversion Concerns

Will County is set to launch its new public meeting agenda and records software, Granicus “OneMeeting,” in August, but the transition will see over a decade of historical records converted...
Will-County-Planning-and-Zoning-Commission-Meeting-July-1-2025

Green Garden Township Poised for First Major Subdivision in Years After Rezoning

The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended a rezoning that could pave the way for the first major residential subdivision in Green Garden Township in nearly two decades....
Will-County-Finance-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

County RNG Facility Shows Strong Performance Despite Solar Challenges

Will County's Renewable Natural Gas facility is exceeding production targets while officials explore options to reduce substantial electricity costs that currently impact profitability. Project manager Greg Komperda told Finance Committee...
Meeting-Briefs

PZC Briefs: Solar Farm in Crete, Post-Fire Permit for Troy Business, and More

The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission handled several other cases during its July 1 meeting, including a new solar farm, a temporary permit for a fire-damaged business, and routine...
Meeting-Briefs

In Brief: Capital & IT News

Here are other highlights from the Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee meeting on Tuesday. Successful Fire Drill at County BuildingThe Will County Office Building held its first full...
Meeting-Briefs

Will County Finance Committee July 1 Meeting Briefs

Bond Refinancing Advances: Finance Committee approved an ordinance authorizing up to $200.8 million in bond refinancing that could save taxpayers more than $716,000. The measure moves to the full County...
Meeting-Briefs

Will County Public Works Committee Juliy 1 Meeting Briefs

ROAD CONTRACTS APPROVED Austin Tyler Construction Contract: The committee approved a $691,544 contract with Austin Tyler Construction for resurfacing River Road from East Frontage Road to Prairie Creek Bridge and...