Texas Files Suit in Illinois Seeking Return, Removal of Fleeing Democrats

In a high-stakes political battle, more than 50 Texas House Democrats fled the state to Illinois and New York to block a Republican-led redistricting plan that would increase GOP congressional seats. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed lawsuits both in Illinois and with the Texas Supreme Court, seeking enforcement of civil arrest warrants against the absent Democrats and the removal of 13 lawmakers from office for denying quorum. Texas officials petitioned Illinois courts to recognize and enforce Texas arrest warrants, asking Illinois law enforcement to apprehend the legislators and return them to Texas, but Illinois authorities, including Governor JB Pritzker, have rejected these efforts, citing jurisdictional limits and a lack of legal basis for arresting the lawmakers. The FBI has been authorized to assist in locating the Democrats but cannot arrest them in Illinois, according to state officials. This unprecedented interstate legal conflict highlights the limits of Texas's authority beyond its borders and the escalating partisan struggle over redistricting in the state.