Lawmakers pull out the drawing board for redistricting 2011 and solicit a few words from their voters.
What do a village trustee, civil rights leader, farmer and women rights leader have in common? Each of them aired concerns with 12 state representatives Tuesday night during a public hearing for redistricting at South Suburban College, South Holland. “It was pretty informative,” said State Rep. Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park). “We'll see how the lines shape up. Some people want one district, others want multiple.” The hearings are mandatory under the 2011 Illinois Voting Rights Act and Public Participation and Transparency Act. Supporters consider both pieces of le gislation landmarks in Illinois voting rights history, requiring lawmakers throughout the state to hold at least four public hearings before maps are redrawn. A public hearing at…
New census, new laws and pretty soon, new lines. Representatives from Illinois to host public hearing for redistricting Tuesday at South Suburban College.
Another decade has passed since the last U.S. census in 2000, and in that time Illinois' population of 12.8 million people has been anything but stagnant. Though the state population grew by only 4 percent, counties like Kane and Will saw growth of roughly 22 percent and 35 percent, respectively. Cook County dropped 3.4 percent from roughly 5.4 million people in 2000 to 5.2 million in 2011. Whether it was the recession, lower taxes or better gas prices that had Illinois residents on the move, one thing remains the same. It's time, once again, for redistricting. Boundaries for 118 state legislative districts, 69 senate districts and 19 congressional districts across the state have to be redrawn in response to 2011 census results. And all …
Computer Map
9:58 am on Monday, April 25, 2011
Why even show up to this dog and pony show? Are people that stupid that they believe that the legislators are listening? For instance, the woman from the league of women voters wants one legislator because that makes sense. But the Democrats will break that Republican area up and give the community no representation by dividing it among democrat districts. What can a voter do? Well you shouldn't … more ›