Some Texas House Democrats confirmed they were leaving after the first special session in the Lone Star state ended Friday, and as California's own redistricting maps were expected Monday, meeting both the conditions laid out for their return.

Gov. JB Pritzker in Springfield on Aug. 6 called the Texas House Democrats who fled the state for Illinois to thwart a Republican quorum to vote on a controversial congressional redistricting plan "heroes (who) are standing up for democracy."

Gov. JB Pritzker attempted to tamp down the federal law enforcement involvement, describing it as “a lot of grandstanding.”

A bid to establish a ballot initiative in 2026 to reform the redistricting process for Illinois state legislative map-making has kicked off, led by former U.S. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley and ex-Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Texas Democrats staying in Illinois were evacuated from their hotel on Wednesday morning over a potential bomb threat, authorities said.

In response, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to try to remove the Democrats from the state Legislature and said some of them may even be "felons."

John Bucy’s older daughter “seemed a little frustrated” with him this week when he wasn’t home to take her to school for her first day of kindergarten. The Texas House lawmaker from Austin hopes one day she’ll understand.

Texas Republicans on Wednesday will take up a new state congressional map intended to flip five Democratic-held U.S. House seats in next year's midterm elections, after dozens of Democratic lawmakers ended a two-week walkout that had temporarily blocked its passage.

Hundreds gathered at Millennium Park Saturday afternoon, joined by several Texas House Democrats, to rally against redistricting efforts in Texas that could give Republicans five additional U.S.