“Opaque,” “confusing,” “obscure”: the descriptions of Chicago’s decennial ward remapping tell how the process has appeared to the average citizen. Since knowing the rules may lessen confusion, we’ll try to explain the procedure.

CHANGE Illinois and other groups are planning to create an independent commission to draw the next Chicago ward map even if aldermen draw their own map.

CHANGE Illinois is spearheading the development of the Chicago Advisory Redistricting Commission, whose goal is to create a transparent ward map centered on and drawn by residents.

Chicago’s 50 wards are stretched and twisted into tortured shapes, a not-surprising result of being drawn by politicians to serve their interests. If we have our way, the next map will be drawn by an independent citizens’ commission.

With 50 aldermen representing 50 wards, Chicago’s City Council is unusually large among major US cities. There have been proposals over the years to reduce the number of wards or even eliminate the ward system.

The boundaries of Chicago’s 50 wards will be redrawn to reflect population changes shown in the 2020 census. CHANGE Illinois executive director Madeleine Doubek talks about what is at stake and how Chicago residents can get involved.

The competing interests of politicians, racial and ethnic groups, and neighborhoods are likely to make for a contentious process to redraw the boundaries of Chicago’s 50 wards after the 2020 census data arrive.