Citywide Redistricting: Still Shuffling

The Chicago City Council Rules Committee scheduled four public hearings about the Chicago Ward remap in January. One has already been held, and it raised concerns about public input.

Reporting on January 7, CHANGE Illinois reported that the meeting “was yet another in a series of disappointing displays that paid lip service to residents as council members argued over being as minimally transparent about their remapping work as possible. Council members continued to ignore the needs and input of the people of Chicago while bickering about how to conduct negotiations about picking their voters in private.

“Months after the redistricting process was begun last summer, the three maps introduced still have not been added to the city’s website as was promised during the committee’s previous meeting, the map room remains a mystery inaccessible to the public, and there is no evidence council members intend to try to respond to any requests offered by residents trying to shape their wards.

“We urge council members to shift course and chart a truly public path that involves and respects residents who have repeatedly voiced what they want for their communities.”

At present, three maps are under consideration. View the Chicago City Council Rules Committee's map.

For a redistricting map to be adopted, 41 alderpersons must vote in support of it. If 41 alderpersons cannot agree, any map supported by 10 alderpersons will be included in a ballot referendum for the June 28 Primary Election.

Rules Committee meetings on redistricting will be held on January 11 at 1 pm and on January 13 and 21 at 10 am.