Coalitions and Community Groups Coalescing
CHANGE Illinois and the People’s Map Commission have joined the City Council’s Latino Caucus to propose a redistricting map that includes 15 majority-Latino wards, 16 majority-Black wards and one majority-Asian American ward. The map also has three “majority-minority” wards on the North Side—the 40th, 49th and 50th wards—as well as 15 majority-White wards. This map also incorporates some key elements of the People’s Map.
“While our preferred outcome was to put The People’s Map before voters, we had to face the political realities. We were able to get several priorities of the Chicago Advisory Redistricting Commission incorporated into changes in an updated Coalition Map. The improved Coalition Map reflects some of the same values and priorities of The People’s Map, is more compact, and splits fewer communities compared to the alternative map. The Coalition Map will give the people of Chicago a stronger voice,” said Chaundra Van Duke, Chicago Project Manager for CHANGE Illinois.
The group’s next step, she added, “is to put power in the hands of the people of Chicago by pursuing a referendum, which will allow voters to cast a ballot for the ward map they want to represent them for the next decade.”