An Illinois judge has rejected a request from Texas officials to detain Democratic lawmakers who left Texas to block a Republican-led redistricting bill. The bill could potentially grant the GOP five additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. By fleeing to Illinois, the Democrats effectively broke quorum in the Texas Legislature, halting progress on the measure.

Republicans currently hold a slim seven-seat majority in the U.S. House. The proposed redistricting law, backed by former President Donald Trump, aims to secure further gains for the GOP in the 2026 midterm elections. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to counterbalance any perceived manipulation through redistricting in his state.

Judge Scott Larson of Illinois’ Eighth Circuit Court ruled that his court lacked jurisdiction over the Texas-issued civil arrest warrants. He stated that Illinois law enforcement could not enforce warrants against nonresidents temporarily staying in the state. The court concluded that no legal grounds were provided to compel enforcement.

Even if the Illinois court had jurisdiction, Larson clarified that his court could only determine whether the Texas Democrats defied a court order. It would not have the authority to mandate their return to Texas. The Texas officials filed the complaint in a conservative Illinois county, far from the Democratic-leaning suburbs where the lawmakers are reportedly staying.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has criticized the Democrats for abandoning their legislative duties and warned of repeated special sessions until a quorum is achieved. The redistricting bill’s delay has also stalled other legislative actions, including disaster relief funding after severe floods that killed over 130 people.

Abbott further claimed that the absent Democrats might face felony bribery charges if they accepted financial incentives to flee. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is reportedly investigating whether payments made to the lawmakers violated state bribery laws.