Interactive maps of competing proposals offer answer to Chicago redistricting question: Where’s my ward?
By Elliott Ramos, Sam HudzikInteractive maps of competing proposals offer answer to Chicago redistricting question: Where’s my ward?
By Elliott Ramos, Sam HudzikChicago aldermen are still meeting to try to craft a deal over new ward boundaries.
There hasn’t been much movement on this in the weeks since the Latino Caucus, joined by a handful of white aldermen, introduced their map ordinance (PDF). And then most of the Black Caucus, joined by a larger group of white aldermen, responded with their own proposal (PDF).
The two sides met Wednesday and planned to meet again Thursday to try to resolve remaining differences.
Also on Wednesday, new ward boundaries drawn by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund were made public (PDF). They would achieve much of what all sides are looking for, but the maap is unlikely to go anywhere as it doesn’t bother to take into account where the incumbent aldermen live. And those aldermen are the only people who get a vote at this point.
That said, if no deal can be reached that gets support from 41 out of the 50 aldermen, Chicago voters could eventually get a say. Competing maps would land on the March 20th ballot.
To help you understand the differences between the proposals, we’ve put together some handy interactive maps. Scroll down for the current ward map, the Back Caucus’ map and the Latino Caucus’ map. Click on a proposed ward to see some basic demographic information.
Current Ward Map
Source: The above map was created using KML data from the City of Chicago’s data portal site
| MALDEF Map (Titled “MALDEF Chicago Equity Map”) | Sponsors | ||||
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Source: The above map was created using files and information from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
| Black Caucus Map (Titled “Map for a Better Chicago”) | Sponsors | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UPDATE: Due to inconsistencies with the map data received from the Black Caucus and that of the ordinance they’ve submitted for approval, we’ve removed the interactive version and replaced it with an image file taken from the ordinance submission. We are awaiting a response and possible updated files from the Black Caucus. We apologize for the confusion. |
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Source: The above map was created using files and information from the Black Caucus.
| Latino Caucus Map (Titled “Taxpayer Protection Map”) | Sponsors | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: The above map was created using files and information from the Latino Caucus.
| The Pro Bono Thinking Society (Titled “New Wards of Chicago”) | Sponsors | ||||
The group believes that wards “should be based on geographical boundaries (such as roads, waterways, public spaces), and general community areas, with the aim of being as compact and easily identifiable as possible. Wards should not be created based on race, political implications, or for the benefit of any individual or individual group.” Editor’s note: Any map approved by the city needs to comply with the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.
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Source: The above map was created using files and information from the Pro Bono Thinking Society.