Preston Warns Against ‘Retaliatory Gerrymander’ as Supreme Court Considers Voting Rights Act Case (Springfield, IL) – Illinois State Sen. Willie Preston on Wednesday urged Democratic leaders to abandon any plans for a “retaliatory gerrymander” in Illinois, warning that doing so could weaken Black political representation at a critical moment for voting rights nationwide.
Preston, a Chicago Democrat who chairs the Illinois Senate Black Legislative Caucus and is running for Congress in the 2nd District, spoke out as the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Louisiana v. Callais—a case that could further limit enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
“Louisiana vs. Callais represents a generational threat to the kind of Black political power for which generations before us have fought and died,” Preston said in a statement. He called the case “the fruit of a decades-long assault on the Voting Rights Act” and described the broader effort as rooted in “white supremacy.”
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority has already scaled back key provisions of the civil rights-era law in recent rulings. Voting rights advocates warn the Louisiana case could make it harder to challenge racially discriminatory maps across the country.
Pushback on Illinois Redistricting Talk
Preston’s comments come amid growing speculation that Illinois Democrats may be considering reshaping congressional maps ahead of the 2026 elections in response to aggressive Republican redistricting in states like Texas and Florida. National leaders, including Gov. J.B. Pritzker and U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have not ruled out drawing new district lines to counter GOP gains.
But Preston said such a move could backfire—particularly for Black voters.
“Losing Black elected representation at a time when both political power and economic power is being concentrated in the hands of so few individuals who are NOT sympathetic to Black Civil Rights is a tragedy in the making,” he said. “I urge Illinois leaders HERE to beware of any retaliatory gerrymander that dilutes the only two truly remaining Black Congressional districts in Illinois, the 1st District and the 2nd District.”
Illinois currently has two majority-Black congressional districts, both located in the Chicago area. Civil rights groups have argued that preserving minority representation in those districts is essential to upholding the spirit of the Voting Rights Act.
Campaign Message Echoes Policy Fight
Preston’s intervention also underscores the stakes in his own run for Congress in Illinois’ 2nd District, which covers parts of Chicago’s South Side and southern suburbs. The seat is currently held by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D), who has not announced whether she will seek re-election.
Preston has positioned himself as a defender of voting rights and Black political power, themes that are likely to feature prominently in the upcoming Democratic primary.
“The deck is stacked against the Voting Rights Act today in Washington,” he said. “That makes our responsibility here in Illinois even greater.”
More information about Preston’s campaign is available at electpreston.com
Preston Warns Against ‘Retaliatory Gerrymander’ as Supreme Court Considers Voting Rights Act Case
