Ward Redistricting on the Ballot?
Voters may be able to vote on the map that redraws boundaries for the city’s 50 wards—or not. As of Tuesday, March 15, no single redistricting map had enough support from alderpersons to avoid a referendum. At least 41 alderpersons must vote for a map to avoid the first referendum on a remap in 30 years.
A map drawn by the Latino Caucus was submitted for referendum by 15 alderpersons on December 2. A map drawn by the City Council Rules Committee was submitted for referendum by 33 alderpersons on March 15.
The Latino Caucus later collaborated with Change Illinois and produced the People’s Coalition Map, which was made public on March 9, but it is unlikely that this map can appear on the ballot.
It takes ten alderpersons to file for a referendum, and no alderperson may file twice—that leaves the People’s Coalition Map without enough available supporters. A referendum petition also cannot be withdrawn or decertified after it is filed, according to Max Bever, Director of Public Information for the Chicago Board of Elections.
Therefore, it is not clear at this time what will happen. Indeed, it is still possible for 41 alderpersons to agree on a compromise map and avoid a referendum entirely.
Learn more about all three maps:
The Rules Committee Map
16 Black majority wards
14 Latino majority wards
1 Asian majority ward
This map, drawn by the City Council Rules Committee, was submitted for referendum by 33 alderpersons on March 15, 2022.
The Latino Caucus Map
16 Black majority wards
15 Latino majority wards
1 Asian majority ward
3 majority-minority wards
This map, drawn by the City Council’s Latino Caucus, was submitted for referendum by 15 alderpersons on December 2, 2021.
The People’s Coalition Map
16 Black majority wards
15 Latino majority wards
1 Asian majority ward
3 majority-minority wards
View the People’s Coalition map.
Change Illinois collaborated and negotiated with the Latino Caucus to develop this map, made public on March 9, 2022.
More Resources
Change Illinois Webinar explaining the redistricting process
Talking points on People’s Coalition Map from Change Illinois