In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.

As parties battle over redistricting to boost their chances in the 2026 midterm elections, Illinois’s 2022 maps and election results serve as a warning that gerrymandering can lead to unintended consequences of partisanship and misrepresentation in Congress.