04 May 2026
What The SCOTUS Decision On Voting Rights Means For You In Illinois
In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons
About
In his majority opinion, Justice Samuel Alito argued that Louisiana illegally used race to create a second Black-majority district.
In her dissent, Justice Elena Kagan wrote “the court’s decision will set back the foundational right Congress granted of racial equality in electoral opportunity.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the decision “voter suppression that will silence Black and brown voters.” The NAACP called it a “devastating blow” to the Voting Rights Act.
In the Loop discusses the potential local and national impact of the decision with today’s panel: Stevie Valles, executive director, Chicago Votes; Karen Freeman-Wilson, president and CEO, Chicago Urban League; Chika Okafor, assistant professor of law, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
In her dissent, Justice Elena Kagan wrote “the court’s decision will set back the foundational right Congress granted of racial equality in electoral opportunity.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the decision “voter suppression that will silence Black and brown voters.” The NAACP called it a “devastating blow” to the Voting Rights Act.
In the Loop discusses the potential local and national impact of the decision with today’s panel: Stevie Valles, executive director, Chicago Votes; Karen Freeman-Wilson, president and CEO, Chicago Urban League; Chika Okafor, assistant professor of law, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.