Illinois has long been a sanctuary state, but this is getting ridiculous. Yesterday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) pledged to protect dozens of Texas lawmakers fleeing their state to shut down the legislature. It is all an effort to prevent redistricting in the state. However, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is pledging to arrest them and expel them from office. Both seem “all in” in this game for Texas Hold’Em.

At least 100 members of the 150-member Texas House must be present to conduct business, and approximately 50 of the Democrats have left. Abbott said their commitment to voting as elected state officials is a duty and is “not optional.”

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to arrest and expel the Texas House Democrats who fled the state to avoid a redistricting vote if they do not return by Monday afternoon.

Dozens of Texas’ Democratic state representatives arrived in Chicago Sunday night to stall the vote. Shortly after Abbott released his statement, the Texas House Democratic Caucus issued a simple response, writing: “Come and take it.”

The statement also described Republicans’ proposed districts, which would potentially secure five new GOP U.S. House seats in next year’s midterm elections, as a “racist mid-decade redistricting scheme.”

Abbott criticized the Democrats’ dramatic departure, starting his call for them to return with, “real Texans don’t run from a fight.”

As the standoff escalates, these novel legal questions may be heading to court. The effort to declare members as abandoned will take time and time is short when it comes to redistricting, which is often subject to years of challenges. Democrats are clearly hoping that running out of the state will allow them to run out the clock. They may be right. What may be more likely to succeed is the imposition of massive fines on the legislators.

I have long been a critic of gerrymandering by both parties. However, it remains a part of our political process.

None of this is good for democracy. The self-professed champions of democracy are fleeing to avoid a democratic vote by the duly elected representatives of the public. While it is common for legislators to leave hearings and floor votes to deny quorums, members ordinarily yield to the mandatory votes of the body. Fleeing the state to scuttle the democratic process hardly makes you the modern personification of Publius Publicola.

The problem is that our federal and state constitutional systems are based on Madisonian principles designed to force deliberation and, at times, compromise. Obviously, if one party has the votes, compromise is often not an option. However, the system works by having all factions involved in the legislative process.

Democrats insist that the redistricting will violate the rights of minority voters. Democrat Caucus Chair Gene Wu (D-Houston) said the governor is “using an intentionally racist map to steal the voices of millions of Black and Latino Texans, all to execute a corrupt political deal.” However, that is a determination that is made ultimately in the courts. This action is preventing such review of the districts. If it does not violate the state or federal constitution, this action becomes less credible as motivated by constitutional as opposed to political interests.

Sitting in a stronghold of the opposing party hundreds of miles away undermines faith in the political system. It also leaves the impression of a stronger affiliation with national political groups than local constituencies. Seeking sanctuary in Illinois raises the question of who you are being protected from in refusing to allow democratic votes in your state.