<P> It was featured by The Economist as one of the most strangely drawn and gerrymandered congressional districts in the country and has been nicknamed "earmuffs" due to its shape . It was created after federal courts ordered the creation of a majority - Hispanic district in the Chicago area . The Illinois General Assembly responded by packing two majority Hispanic parts of Chicago into a single district . </P> <P> This district covers two strips running east - west across the city of Chicago, on the west side continuing into smaller portions of some suburban areas in Cook County, surrounding Illinois' 7th congressional district . The northern portion is largely Puerto Rican, while the southern portion is heavily Mexican - American . The two sections are only connected by a piece of Interstate 294 to the west; the highway is in the district while the surrounding areas are not . It is the smallest congressional district in area outside New York City and San Francisco . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th_colspan="3"> Election results from presidential races </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Year </Td> <Td> Office </Td> <Td> Results </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2016 </Td> <Td> President </Td> <Td> Clinton 82--13% Trump </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2012 </Td> <Td> President </Td> <Td> Obama 81--17% Romney </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2008 </Td> <Td> President </Td> <Td> Obama 81--18% McCain </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> President </Td> <Td> Kerry 79--21% Bush </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2000 </Td> <Td> President </Td> <Td> Gore 76--19% Bush </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th_colspan="3"> Election results from presidential races </Th> </Tr>

What district rule led to illinois' 4th district having a thin strip that ran along interstate 294