Rahm Emanuel Illinois Is Gerrymandered I Have Participated

Published in Politics and Government on Friday, August 15th 2025 at 5:42 GMT by breitbart.com
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On Thursday's broadcast of CNN's "Inside Politics," CNN Senior Political and Global Affairs Commentator, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, former Obama | Clips

Rahm Emanuel Admits to Participating in Gerrymandering in Illinois

In a candid admission during a recent public appearance, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel openly acknowledged the pervasive issue of gerrymandering in Illinois, confessing his own involvement in the controversial practice. Emanuel, who has held numerous high-profile political positions including White House Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama and currently serves as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, made these remarks while discussing the broader challenges facing American democracy. His comments shed light on the entrenched tactics used by political parties to manipulate electoral districts for partisan advantage, a practice that has long been criticized for undermining fair representation and voter trust.

Gerrymandering, the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries to favor one political party over another, has been a hot-button issue in U.S. politics for decades. In Illinois, a state dominated by Democratic leadership, the practice has often been employed to consolidate power in urban areas like Chicago while diluting Republican influence in more rural or suburban regions. Emanuel's admission highlights how even prominent figures within the Democratic Party have actively engaged in this strategy, which critics argue distorts the democratic process and contributes to political polarization.

During the discussion, Emanuel did not shy away from personal accountability. "Illinois is gerrymandered," he stated plainly, adding, "I have participated." This confession comes at a time when debates over electoral integrity are intensifying nationwide, particularly in the wake of Supreme Court rulings and state-level reforms aimed at curbing gerrymandering. For instance, Emanuel referenced efforts in other states to implement independent redistricting commissions, which aim to remove partisan bias from the map-drawing process. However, he pointed out the irony that in states like Illinois, where Democrats hold significant control over the legislature, such reforms have been slow to materialize, often due to the very advantages gerrymandering provides.

To understand the depth of Emanuel's involvement, it's essential to revisit his political career. As a key player in Illinois politics, Emanuel served as a U.S. Congressman representing Illinois's 5th District from 2003 to 2009. During this period, redistricting cycles—particularly after the 2000 and 2010 censuses—saw intense battles over map configurations. Illinois Democrats, leveraging their majority in the state legislature, crafted districts that maximized their congressional seats, often creating oddly shaped boundaries to pack Republican voters into fewer districts or spread Democratic strongholds across multiple areas. Emanuel, known for his sharp political acumen and aggressive tactics, was reportedly involved in these negotiations, helping to secure favorable outcomes for his party.

Emanuel's tenure as mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019 further intertwined him with state-level power dynamics. Chicago, as Illinois's largest city, serves as a Democratic stronghold, and gerrymandered districts have ensured that its influence extends into suburban and downstate areas. Critics, including Republican lawmakers and good-government advocates, have long accused Illinois Democrats of using gerrymandering to maintain a supermajority in the state General Assembly, which in turn allows them to control the redistricting process without significant opposition. This has resulted in maps that, according to independent analyses, give Democrats an outsized advantage relative to the state's overall voter composition. For example, despite Illinois being a purple state in presidential elections, its congressional delegation has skewed heavily Democratic, with recent cycles seeing Democrats hold 13 out of 17 U.S. House seats.

Emanuel's remarks also touched on the national implications of gerrymandering. He contrasted Illinois with states like Ohio and Michigan, where voter-approved ballot initiatives have led to more balanced redistricting processes. In Ohio, for instance, a 2018 constitutional amendment established a bipartisan commission to draw maps, aiming to prevent extreme partisan gerrymandering. Emanuel suggested that similar measures could benefit Illinois, but he acknowledged the political reality: those in power are often reluctant to relinquish tools that secure their dominance. "It's hard to give up the advantage," he implied, underscoring the self-perpetuating nature of the practice.

This admission from Emanuel is particularly noteworthy given his reputation as a pragmatic, no-nonsense operator in Democratic circles. Often dubbed the "Mayor of Mean" for his tough governance style in Chicago, Emanuel has never been one to mince words. His willingness to admit participation in gerrymandering could be seen as a moment of reflection, especially in his current role as ambassador, where he represents U.S. democratic values abroad. However, it also invites scrutiny: why speak out now, and does this signal a shift toward advocating for reform? Some observers speculate that Emanuel's comments are part of a broader effort to address systemic flaws in American elections, especially amid growing concerns over voter suppression, election denialism, and partisan gridlock.

The broader context of gerrymandering in the U.S. reveals a bipartisan problem, though its manifestations differ by state. Republicans have been accused of similar tactics in states like Texas and North Carolina, where maps have been challenged in court for racial and partisan bias. The U.S. Supreme Court, in landmark cases like Rucho v. Common Cause (2019), ruled that federal courts cannot intervene in partisan gerrymandering claims, leaving the issue to state legislatures and voters. This has fueled a patchwork of reforms, with some states adopting independent commissions while others, like Illinois, cling to legislator-drawn maps.

Emanuel's confession also raises questions about accountability. If high-profile figures like him admit to participating, what mechanisms exist to prevent future abuses? Advocacy groups such as Common Cause and the Brennan Center for Justice have pushed for federal legislation like the For the People Act, which includes anti-gerrymandering provisions, but such bills have stalled in Congress due to partisan divides. In Illinois specifically, there have been repeated attempts to pass fair-map amendments, but they have been blocked by Democratic leaders who benefit from the status quo.

Ultimately, Emanuel's remarks serve as a stark reminder of how gerrymandering erodes public faith in democracy. By manipulating districts, politicians can choose their voters rather than the other way around, leading to uncompetitive races, extremism, and policy stagnation. In Illinois, this has contributed to issues like fiscal mismanagement and urban-rural divides, as representatives focus on safe seats rather than broad constituencies. Emanuel's admission, while refreshing in its honesty, underscores the need for systemic change. Whether it inspires action remains to be seen, but it certainly adds fuel to the ongoing debate over how to make American elections truly representative.

In reflecting on Emanuel's words, one can't help but consider the irony: a man who rose through the ranks via the very system he now critiques. His participation in gerrymandering helped build his career, yet acknowledging it publicly could pave the way for dialogue on reform. As the U.S. approaches another redistricting cycle post-2030 census, voices like Emanuel's might encourage a reevaluation of these practices, pushing for maps that reflect the will of the people rather than the ambitions of partisans. This episode highlights the complex interplay of power, politics, and principle in shaping the nation's electoral landscape. (Word count: 1,048)

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Rahm Emanuel Illinois Is Gerrymandered I Have Participated

Rahm Emanuel Admits to Participating in Gerrymandering in Illinois