U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries visited Chicago Monday in his effort to squeeze another Democratic district out of Illinois’ heavily gerrymandered congressional map, seeking the support of Black Illinois legislators who say they want to match President Donald Trump’s GOP redistricting campaign — but refuse to dilute Black representation.

The powerful New York Democrat met with several Black legislators in a River North office before heading down to Springfield, where state lawmakers who would have to approve a remap are scheduled to wrap up their legislative calendar later this week.

Candidates began filing their petitions to appear on Illinois’ March 17, 2026 primary Monday, but supporters say there’s time to figure out the logistics of the controversial plan to carve out a 1

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