The politics comes into it too I imagine. Puerto Rico would probably be strongly Democratic at the presidential level and more than likely elect two Democratic Senators. *could be wrong though
This. Just like in the old days, the likely only way a new state will be admitted is if another one of the opposite political inclination would be admitted with it. And there's the problem; there's really nowhere out there that would be a safe bet for the GOP.
Partitioning Illinois would solve this problem. Make the 52nd state of Egypt just large enough to have the same number of electoral votes as Puerto Rico.
That would've solve anything. Republicans would gain free EVs from "Egypt," while Democrats had offsetting gains from Puerto Rico and losses from Illinois.
Unless this was intentional -- Republicans gain a bit in the electoral college, the Senate stays neutral, and Democrats gain a bit in the House.
