Briel Responds to Supreme Court Gutting Historic Voting Rights Act, Reaffirms Illinois Protections

OTTAWA, Ill.— State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais dismantling a critical provision in the federal Voting Rights Act that ensures communities of color have equal representation:

“The justice’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais is not only consequential to true democracy in future elections, it fundamentally removes decades—if not a century—of progress Americans have fought for since the installation of the 15th Amendment, the 19th Amendment to the challenges and tribulations overcome in the Civil Rights Era.

“With this move the Supreme Court has essentially removed the last check on extremists who want to silence communities of color, and has opened the door for antiquated-minded and often extremist-aligned states to now split majority-minority districts to sweep out voices that have contributed and led this nation to progress, inclusion and the true meaning of freedom in the 20th and 21st centuries.

“This is a terrifying result because it signals that the court won’t stop there—and with every check undone, more and more of our freedoms stand to be at risk. That’s why I worked alongside our caucus last week to vote and enshrine critical protections to our voting rights in the Illinois State Constitution—effectively ensuring that no Illinoisan is denied an equal opportunity to participate in our political process. Illinois will not side with an antebellum ill-inspired administration—we’ll continue fighting to protect everyone’s right to be heard.”