Dupage Policy Journal

Stephanie Trussell, a candidate for Illinois's 42nd Senate District, has criticized Democrats for their stance on redistricting. She contrasted Illinois's irregular map with Iowa's approach in a statement made on X.

"Hey, let's aspire to be Iowa," said Trussell, Candidate for State Representative in IL 42nd. "In Illinois our Congressional map has c's, s's, long strips and crabs. Why not stick to rectangles and squares? Dems love to accuse you of what they are doing."

According to AP News, debates over congressional redistricting have intensified in states like Illinois, Texas, and Iowa. In Texas, Republicans are seeking to redraw districts, leading to backlash from Democrats and commentary from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Illinois has faced criticism for its gerrymandered map that favors Democrats. By contrast, Iowa is praised for using a nonpartisan agency to draw compact and politically neutral districts.

The Associated Press reports that Illinois’s 2021 congressional map has been noted for low compactness and irregular shapes, with a combined district perimeter of 10,985 miles. A report from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that alternative maps could reduce perimeter length while maintaining compliance with the Voting Rights Act. The current plan includes five majority-minority districts and reflects political considerations in its design.

Iowa has employed a nonpartisan redistricting process since 1980 by assigning the task to the Legislative Services Agency. This agency submits maps for an up-or-down vote by the legislature. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Iowa’s maps have consistently received bipartisan approval and are known for high compactness. In contrast, Illinois uses a legislative-controlled process where maps are often shaped by partisan majorities.

Trussell is a conservative political figure in Illinois currently running for State Representative in District 42. She previously served as Darren Bailey’s running mate in the 2022 gubernatorial election and is known for advocating parental rights, education reform, and limited government. According to Vote Smart, she has positioned herself as a voice against progressive policies in Illinois.