A legendary realm within Illinois, this district is rooted in Cook County. Its lands span much of Chicago's South Side before stretching southwest toward the city of Joliet.

Long has this been a majority-minority domain, its legacy enduring since at least the 1920s. In the year 1929, a great milestone was reached: Republican Oscar Stanton De Priest became the first African American elected to Congress from any district in the 20th century. Since that day, the First District has never broken its chain of African American champions, the longest unbroken streak of Black representation in the House of Representatives.

The Democratic faction rules these lands with overwhelming strength. Most battles are fought not against rival parties, but within the Democratic ranks themselves. Since 1966, only two Republican challengers have managed to claim more than 20% of the vote, while Democratic presidential nominees have surpassed 80% in every contest.