The Democratic lawmakers have been in Illinois since Aug. 3 to avoid a vote on the remap during a special legislative session called by Texas GOP.

The departure marked the end of a nationally-watched standoff between the lawmakers and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who pushed the remap plan at President Donald Trump’s urging in a bid to add five more Republican seats in the U.

John Bucy’s older daughter “seemed a little frustrated” with him this week when he wasn’t home to take her to school for her first day of kindergarten. The Texas House lawmaker from Austin hopes one day she’ll understand.

Texas Democrats staying in Illinois were evacuated from their hotel on Wednesday morning over a potential bomb threat, authorities said.

Some Texas House Democrats confirmed they were leaving after the first special session in the Lone Star state ended Friday, and as California's own redistricting maps were expected Monday, meeting both the conditions laid out for their return.

Texas House Democrats who fled to Illinois and other northern states to block a Republican-led congressional redistricting plan backed by President Donald Trump said Thursday they would return to Austin after lawmakers adjourn their current special session on Friday and California Democrats introduce their retaliatory map designed to neutralize the Texas GOP effort.

Gov. JB Pritzker attempted to tamp down the federal law enforcement involvement, describing it as “a lot of grandstanding.”

Gov. JB Pritzker in Springfield on Aug. 6 called the Texas House Democrats who fled the state for Illinois to thwart a Republican quorum to vote on a controversial congressional redistricting plan "heroes (who) are standing up for democracy."

The attorney general is calling on the “full faith and credit” clause of the U.S. Constitution, which says states should typically honor each other’s judicial proceedings.

An Adams County judge ruled his court “does not have the inherent power to direct Illinois law enforcement officers” to round up the Texas lawmakers.