(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A government reform group urges officials to adopt a better way to redraw Chicago’s ward boundaries — one that isn’t subject to political manipulations of past remap efforts.
Ward redistricting is supposed to be guided by population trends, but Chicago’s process has often sparked fights over which communities or racial groups will gain or lose power.
The group CHANGE Illinois has guided creation of an independent 13-member commission to create an equitable map.
Christina Rivers of DePaul University is one of those who helped select the panel, which is comprised of four African Americans, three members of the LatinX community, three Asian Americans and three whites.
Chaundra Van Dyke of Change Illinois concedes aldermen would have to approve any map. She hopes City Council members will buy into the process after they see how it works.
But political power’s at stake, and the stakes are high. So, it may be a tough sell.
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