Steve Cortes, President of the League of American Workers, has raised concerns about what he describes as gerrymandering in Democrat-drawn congressional districts around Chicago, particularly in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District (IL-9). He has called on Republican-led states to employ similar political strategies in red states.
“Here’s a closer look at the Chicago area (too condensed on the state map,” said Cortes, Founder. “Look at these ridiculous districts, esp. the 9th! Good gravy. I sorta respect the Dems for using their power this way. Now…let’s step up red states!!!”
According to Cortes, the Democratic redistricting efforts in Illinois have been effective. In a post on X, he highlighted the layout of districts around Chicago, specifically IL-9, which traverses northern urban and suburban areas in a manner that appears gerrymandered.
The Chicago Tribune reports other examples such as Illinois’ 4th Congressional District (IL-4), known for its “earmuff” shape connecting two Latino communities via a narrow corridor, and IL-7, which cuts through diverse neighborhoods in central and south Chicago. While these districts comply with legal standards, they have faced criticism for prioritizing political advantage over geographic coherence or community continuity.
Illinois Democrats controlled the 2021 redistricting process following the state’s loss of one congressional seat after the 2020 Census. According to Princeton’s Gerrymandering Project, this process was used to bolster their electoral advantages by reducing Republican representation from five seats to three. Analysts from institutions like Princeton graded the Illinois map poorly regarding competitiveness and geographic compactness, citing it as an example of partisan gerrymandering. However, courts allowed the map to stand.
Cortes is recognized as a prominent advocate for “patriotic populism” and pro-worker policies. He promotes on-shoring and worker-focused economics through research and media engagement. Before founding the League of American Workers (LAW), he served as a senior advisor and spokesman for Donald Trump’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns and frequently appeared as a commentator on networks such as CNBC, Fox News, and CNN.
