> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thebarbedwire.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Reenact ‘The Fugitive,’ Dodge Warrants & Catch the Cubs: 10 Things Texas Dems Can Do While on the Lam - URL: https://www.thebarbedwire.com/texas-democrats-redistricting-chicago/ - Published: 2025-08-06T05:01:00.000Z - Updated: 2025-08-06T05:01:00.000Z - Author: Brian Gaar - Tags: Perspectives, Austin, Texas Politics As you probably know, more than 50 [Texas House Democrats](https://www.thebarbedwire.com/quorum-busting-texas-democrats-stand-up-to-abbott-legal-threats/) have skipped town to stop Gov. Greg Abbott and the Legislature from turning Texas’ congressional map into a [racist](https://www.thebarbedwire.com/texas-democrats-warn-racist-redistricting-fight/) GOP fever dream where every district somehow ends in Ted Cruz’s driveway. Most of our blue-shirted fugitives have landed in Illinois, land of deep-dish pizza, wind, and hot dogs without ketchup. And while the Dems are holed up dodging civil warrants, fines, [Texas Supreme Court rulings](https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/08/05/gov-greg-abbott-asks-texas-supreme-court-to-remove-house-democratic-chair-gene-wu/?ref=thebarbedwire.com), and (maybe) [the FBI](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/us/politics/fbi-texas-democrats.html?ref=thebarbedwire.com), they’ve got some time to kill. So here are 10 things they could be doing while [Abbott tries to extradite them](https://www.thebarbedwire.com/texas-democrats-warn-racist-redistricting-fight/) like it’s an episode of “Walker, Texas Ranger: Felony Map Edition.” **1\. Take a Group Photo at the [Lincoln Home](https://www.nps.gov/liho/index.htm?ref=thebarbedwire.com)** This one’s a no brainer: Politicians love being in photos. But as Illinois’ favorite son (Abraham Lincoln, if you’re nasty) once said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Then again, his gangly ass once [jumped out of a window](https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/abraham-lincolns-leap-from-a-window-and-4-other-ways-lawmakers-have-fled-votes/?ref=thebarbedwire.com) to break quorum, so. **2\. Visit the Obama Library** Sure, Former President Barack Obama’s library is still [under construction](https://news.wttw.com/2024/03/07/opening-obama-presidential-center-delayed-again-until-spring-2026?ref=thebarbedwire.com) but at least one Texas Rep. — Jessica Gonzalez — [interned at his White House](https://jessicafortexas.com/about?ref=thebarbedwire.com), so maybe they could get a sneak peek? And if they can’t get a full sit-down, maybe Obama can at least record a voicemail: “Hi, you’ve reached Rep. James Talarico. He can’t take your call right now because he’s hiding from a process server. But here’s a quick word from President Obama…” **3\. Reenact ‘The Fugitive’ at Every Chicago Landmark** Texas Democrats have done more to dodge capture than Harrison Ford. Someone get Rep. Gene Wu a fake ID and a waterfall — it’s method acting *and* political protest. **4\. Audition for Season 5 of ‘The Bear’** The stress, the chaos, the yelling — it’s basically the Texas Legislature with better lighting and more knives. After surviving a special session, getting screamed at in a fictional kitchen might actually feel like a vacation. (Or, maybe re-enact an episode of “Survivor,” since Rep. Jolanda Jones [is an alum](https://survivor.fandom.com/wiki/Jolanda%5FJones?ref=thebarbedwire.com).) **5\. Eat a Hot Dog** What’s more Chicago than a hot dog? You can grab one pretty much anywhere, there’s even [lots of vegetarian options](https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/07/28/want-a-hot-dog-without-the-beef-here-are-22-veggie-dog-options-in-chicago/?ref=thebarbedwire.com) (these ARE Democrats, after all). But don’t put ketchup on them, or you might find yourself renditioned back to Austin. **6\. Reflect on Democracy at the Bean** That [big shiny bean in Chicago’s Millennium Park](https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/tours-and-attractions/the-bean-chicago/?ref=thebarbedwire.com)? Perfect place to gaze into the distorted reflection of America’s soul, which, let’s be honest, still looks less grotesque than whatever the Texas GOP just Sharpie’d onto a congressional map at 3 a.m. after a Fox News binge. **7\. Practice Catching [‘Arrest’](https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/04/texas-democrats-house-warrants-arrest-quorum-break/?ref=thebarbedwire.com) Warrants at a Cubs Game** Nothing says “summer in Chicago” like watching a Cubs game. Just bring gloves for foul balls and potential arrest warrants flung from the governor’s office. And someone can buy Lauren Simmons a beer for [saving us from former state Rep. (and current transphobe) Shawn Thierry](https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/23/shawn-thierry-lauren-simmons-texas-house-democrats/?ref=thebarbedwire.com). **8\. Host a Fundraiser at [Manny’s](https://www.mannysdeli.com/?ref=thebarbedwire.com) to Pay Those $500-a-Day Fines** Because nothing says “we’re being punished for defending democracy” like Venmoing brunch money to your state rep. Bonus points if Abbott shows up demanding extradition and someone hands him a menu instead. **9\. Take a Bus Tour and Pretend You’re in a Functioning Democracy** Chicago’s got those cute [double-decker tours](https://www.choosechicago.com/listing/big-bus-tours-chicago/?ref=thebarbedwire.com). Climb aboard, sip a LaCroix (or a Rambler if you can find it), and pretend you’re living in a world where elected officials aren’t actively trying to eliminate their constituents’ voices because Trump said to on Truth Social. **10\. Tour the Chicago Federal Center** It’s good practice. The skyscraper — and beacon of Mid-Century Modernism — in the downtown Chicago Loop has been a part of the city’s skyline since 1974\. If Abbott’s “extradition” threats ever materialize, [this is where they could end up filing appeals](https://www.architecture.org/online-resources/buildings-of-chicago/federal-center?ref=thebarbedwire.com). Might as well get comfy with the layout! Maybe pick up a souvenir mug that says, “I dodged a quorum and all I got was this federal injunction.” (Admittedly, that’s a lot to fit on a mug.) So hang in there, Texas Dems. The stakes are high, the pizza’s thick, and if Abbott tries to come get y’all — just remember: You’re in a state where political stunts come with mustard, not arrest warrants.