Texas Democrats who spent two weeks in Illinois to block GOP redistricting plans are back home — but under police surveillance. Lawmakers were forced to sign pledges to attend Wednesday’s session, each assigned a state trooper to monitor them.

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."

Texas Democrats who fled to Illinois to block a GOP-led congressional redistricting plan said they would return after lawmakers adjourn Friday and California Democrats introduce their retaliatory