From the office of Tom Cross, Ill. GOP leader…
A series of public hearings on the redrawing of Illinois House district boundaries are underway this week, including today in Aurora, East St. Louis and Elgin (see below for a list of locations, dates and times). The hearings will provide residents with a platform to provide testimony about the map’s impact on their community. If you are unable to attend, Twitter and Facebook updates from the hearing will be available through the U-Map IL Facebook page.
Illinois State
We are also making our mapmaking software, computer, census data and staff available for the public to draw their own maps. Call 312-814-2053 to set up an appointment.
“I applaud the committee for hosting these informational hearings,” said House GOP Remap Spokesperson Rep. Michael Fortner (R-West Chicago). “Through this process, it is imperative to gather local input from across our state so the map is drawn in a fair and equally representative manner. I am disappointed there is no commitment, and we don’t yet have any hearings scheduled, to receive comments on a map we will vote on.”
Illinois’ remapping process occurs every ten years to reflect the results of population changes accounted for in the latest Census. The process is widely-viewed as politically charged as it is left up to the Illinois Senate President and the Illinois Speaker of the House to present a map, and the Governor to approve it. All of those positions are currently held by Chicago Democrats. The political party in charge of the remap seeks to gain legislative seats as well as protect incumbent lawmakers.
“The Democratic majority has promised that this will be the most open and transparent redistricting cycle in Illinois history,” said State Rep Jim Durkin (R-LaGrange). “It is important that they keep their word. I am advocating for proper, equal representation where communities are not carved into segments just to fulfill political interests.”
Here is the hearing schedule:
Monday, April 18, 2011
Illinois Math and Science Academy, 1500 Sullivan Road, Aurora at 1:30 p.m.
East St. Louis Township Senior Center, Room 3, 6755 State Street, East St. Louis at 4 p.m.
Centre of Elgin Ballroom, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Waukegan City Hall Council Chambers, 100 North Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Waukegan at 1 p.m.
Zeke Giorgi State of Illinois Building, Lower Level, 200 S. Wyman, Rockford at 4 p.m.
South Suburban College Performing Arts Center, 15800 S. State Street, South Holland at 4 p.m.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Rock Island City Hall Council Chambers, 1528 Third Avenue, Rock Island at 2 p.m.
Chicago State University Library Auditorium, 9501 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago at 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Bilandic Building – C600, 1600 North LaSalle, Chicago at 10:30 a.m.
Joliet City Hall City Council Chambers, 150 West Jefferson Street, 2nd Floor, Joliet at 4 p.m.
Peoria County Courthouse County Board Room, 324 Main Street, Peoria at 4 p.m.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Illinois State Capitol Building, 2nd and Capitol, Room 114, Springfield at 3 p.m.