People’s Map Seeking City Council Support

The Chicago Advisory Redistricting Commission delivered its independently drawn city ward map to the City Clerk’s office on Monday, November 23. But so far, none of the city’s 50 alderpersons has publicly endorsed it.

Created after 31 virtual and in-person public hearings, the "People's Map" identifies 15 majority Black wards, 14 majority Latino wards, and the first Asian American ward in Chinatown. The map also eliminates previously gerrymandered districts that split neighborhoods into up to six different wards.

At a press conference, former Ald. Dick Simpson noted that the Advisory Redistricting Commission has “produced the fairest, the best and the map that has been created by the people of Chicago, and we will prevail.” LWV Chicago members attended the press conference, including Abigail Nichols, who spoke on behalf of the independently produced ward map.

Speaking for the entire group, Simpson added: “We see this as the beginning map of a real solution to that power struggle. We didn’t come into this with any axe to grind. We weren’t looking to empower one scenario or another but to empower every neighborhood in every community.”

While the advisory commission’s work has been supported by good government groups, including LWV Chicago, it has not secured backing in the City Council.

A new ward map must be adopted by a supermajority of 41 alderpersons by December 1. If a map is not passed by the December 1 deadline, any group of ten alderpersons who didn’t vote for another draft map may sponsor an alternative, such as the People’s Map.

Time is, therefore, of the essence. And you can help. Ask your alderperson to support the People’s Map. Then get your friends to tell their alderpersons.

Take five minutes for the good of Chicago and help end the damage from 60 years of gerrymandered city wards.