Rockford Sun

John Cabello, state representative from Machesney Park, is accusing Gov. J.B. Pritzker of hypocrisy for supporting Texas Democrats who fled their state to block a Republican redistricting plan, while defending Illinois’ own heavily gerrymandered congressional map.

Dozens of Texas lawmakers spent two weeks in Illinois under Pritzker’s protection in early August to protest a redistricting proposal that could give Republicans five additional congressional seats. Pritzker welcomed and supported their efforts, calling them a stand for democracy.

But Illinois Republicans, led by Cabello, say the governor is ignoring the same concerns at home. 

Illinois state Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) | John M. Cabello (Facebook)

They point to Illinois’ 2021 congressional map—drawn and signed into law by Pritzker—which has been widely criticized for favoring Democrats and limiting Republican representation.

“I don’t know if he’s living in a different world than everybody else,” Cabello said. “Even the talk shows had shown him the map of Illinois and he still pretends like, ‘Oh no, there’s nothing wrong with that.’”

Illinois is frequently cited as one of the most gerrymandered states in the U.S. 

Despite Donald Trump winning 44% of the statewide vote in 2024, Republicans hold only 3 of Illinois’ 17 congressional seats—an 18% share. The map was given an “F” rating by the nonpartisan Princeton Gerrymandering Project and criticized by advocacy groups including Common Cause.

“I hope and pray that again folks wake up and see what's going on,” Cabello said. 

Pritzker has often declined to address the map’s fairness directly, including during a notable exchange on Meet the Press, where he called redistricting concerns a “distraction,” even after being questioned by host Kristen Welker.

Cabello said he was surprised by the governor’s response.

“It's just unbelievable that he just dismisses the lady on Meet the Press, when she brings it up and she should have went after him further, but she didn't,” he said.

While Pritzker has called Republican-led redistricting in states like Texas “cheating,” he has brushed aside similar accusations against Illinois Democrats. The party has maintained power in the state for decades, aided by district maps drawn under former House Speaker Michael Madigan, who is now serving a 7.5-year prison sentence for public corruption.

“Just because he says that there’s nothing wrong with it doesn’t mean that it’s true,” Cabello said. “We’ve caught him in lies before, so he’s always going to be known to me as a liar. So I can’t believe a word he says.”

During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which is scheduled to be canceled, Pritzker struck a serious tone.

“What we are going to have to do is whatever it takes to preserve democracy,” he told Colbert.

When presented with a map of Illinois’ irregularly shaped congressional districts, Pritzker joked about its appearance.

“We handed it over to a kindergarten class and let them decide,” he said.

Cabello said he wasn’t amused.

“He lives in a way different world than anybody else—at least most, at least 99% of citizens of the state of Illinois—because he's a multi-billionaire,” Cabello said.

In addition to redistricting, Democrats in Springfield have passed rules limiting minority party participation and approved state grants that have often gone to Democratic districts.

“Democrats have taken us down a path of destruction,” he said. “They've destroyed this state, and their taxes are eventually going to be too high, where they're not going to be able to pay and afford anything else. I think at that point they'll wake up, and they may go in a different direction. I'm hoping that is very, very soon.”

Cabello, who returned to the General Assembly in 2023, said he is seeking re-election because he believes there is still a path to reform.

“If they give the Republicans the governor's office and close to, if not the majority in both chambers, we can turn the state around in six years,” he said. “And we don't even have to think about it. All we have to do is implement some of the same laws that Indiana has or that Florida has, and we can start seeing a major change very quickly.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Cabello said he sees opportunity, particularly in the 17th Congressional District, currently held by Democrat Eric Sorensen.

“Sorensen votes against Republican ideas constantly, even though I think it’s more of a Republican district than Democrat,” Cabello said. “We just need to get the right candidate this time around and get another Republican in.”

In June, Cabello announced his 2026 re-election bid to continue representing Illinois’ 90th District. Citing growing partisanship and progressive influence from Chicago Democrats, Cabello said he aims to be a “voice of reason and common sense” in the state legislature.

The 90th House District includes all or parts of Freeport, Rockford, South Beloit, Roscoe, Rockton and Machesney Park.