By Illinois Review
The western suburbs of Chicago have become an unexpected focal point in a national political standoff, as Texas Democratic lawmakers take refuge at a secure hotel in St. Charles, Illinois.
Their departure from Texas was a strategic move to block a Republican-backed redistricting bill, prompting Republican Governor Greg Abbott to order their arrest.
On Tuesday, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick – a Republican candidate for governor – told Politico that the lawmakers “aren’t criminals.”
Since this publication first revealed the lawmakers’ location late Monday, Mendrick has been fielding calls questioning why, in his role as sheriff, he hasn’t taken action.
“They aren’t criminals,” Mendrick reiterated to reporter Shia Kapos. “People hear the rhetoric and that’s when the calls come in.”
Both the Texas governor and attorney general disagree. On Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers to locate, detain and return absent lawmakers to the state Capitol. He accused the legislators of neglecting their constitutional responsibilities and obstructing the quorum required to conduct official business.
Abbott and Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton have also raised potential bribery concerns, alleging that Democratic lawmakers may be fundraising to offset the $500 daily fines imposed for their absence – an action that could violate Texas law if tied directly to avoiding legislative duties.
Abbott further suggested that the lawmakers could face removal from office for dereliction of duty, referencing a 2021 nonbinding legal opinion issued by Paxton.
The lawmakers have been ordered by Paxton to return to the state capitol by Friday or face consequences – including being “fired.”
“Democrats have abandoned their offices by fleeing Texas, and a failure to respond to a call of the House constitutes a dereliction of their duty as elected officials.
Starting Friday, any rogue lawmakers refusing to return to the House will be held accountable for vacating their office. The people of Texas elected lawmakers, not jet-setting runaways looking for headlines. If you don’t show up to work, you get fired.”
The lawmakers continue to take refuge in the Chicago suburbs.
Mendrick and his running mate, Robert Renteria, are seeking the Republican nomination for governor in 2026. The election is March 17, 2026.
