Network partners push for city level redistricting reforms in Chicago

Network partners in the Illinois Campaign for Accountable Redistricting, including Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and Asian American Institute, have called on the Chicago City Council to open up its ward redistricting process to the public.

Alderman Dick Mell has introduced a transparency resolution calling for redistricting to be conducted in a “transparent and accountable manner” and will allow city residents to provide testimony and draft maps through six public hearings, and one additional hearing after maps are drawn.

Network partner Asian American Institute issued a press release (PDF) asking that Asian American communities across the city not be split up during redistricting. “If our communities are split in the remap, it will become more difficult for us to have cohesive representation of our interests,” said Kathleen Jung Hee Fernicola, policy director of the Asian American Institute. “It is of utmost importance that the principle of ‘one person, one vote’ is maintained in the redrawing of ward boundaries across Chicago, and the city must take responsibility to uphold that principle such that our communities are able to elect the candidates of our choice.”

On their blog this week, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform notes that they will ask the City Council to hold five hearings after maps have been released, instead of one. They will also ask the Council to not use political factors, such as the home addresses of Aldermen, when drawing maps.