Late-night host Stephen Colbert showcased the gerrymandered congressional districts of Illinois during an interview with Governor J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday. This discussion comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding redistricting efforts in Texas, where Democratic legislators have fled the state to block Republican-led redistricting initiatives.

Colbert presented a map of Illinois, pointing out a particularly convoluted district that he likened to "the stinger on a scorpion." He remarked, "If you are considering doing a little more redrawing in Illinois, you already have some crazy districts in Illinois. Take a look at [District] 17 here. It does that, then it comes up here and it sneaks around there and goes all the way up here and then goes right over there like that."

Pritzker responded to Colbert's comments by acknowledging the potential for further redistricting in Illinois. "It’s possible, and I’ve said everything is on the table. We’ve got to fight fire with fire," he stated. The governor criticized Texas Republicans for their mid-decade redistricting efforts, which he claimed were being conducted at the behest of former President Donald Trump. "That is extraordinarily rare," Pritzker added, emphasizing that the Texas plan could undermine voting rights for Black and Brown communities.

The redistricting process, which occurs every ten years following the census, allows state legislatures or independent commissions to redraw congressional boundaries. This practice has a long history, dating back to 1812 when the term "gerrymander" was first used. Colbert questioned Pritzker about the commonality of such practices across states, to which Pritzker humorously replied that a kindergarten class could have drawn the map, referring to the independent commission responsible for redistricting in Illinois.

Colbert pressed further, asking why Texas's actions were particularly problematic. Pritzker explained that the Texas Republicans were attempting to redraw maps in a way that would disenfranchise voters, stating, "They are literally obliterating districts that were written according to the Voting Rights Act. So this is going to end up in court if they are actually able to do it."

The conversation also touched on the Texas House Democrats who have sought refuge in Illinois to avoid the redistricting vote. Pritzker expressed his support for these lawmakers, stating, "We are going to protect the Texas House Democrats."

As the discussion continued, Colbert inquired about the involvement of the FBI in locating the fleeing Texas legislators, referencing a request from Texas Senator John Cornyn. Pritzker assured Colbert that the Texas Democrats had not broken any federal laws and that Illinois would not allow them to be taken back to Texas against their will.

The ongoing redistricting battles in both Texas and Illinois highlight the contentious nature of political map drawing in the United States, as states navigate the balance between representation and political advantage.