Public encouraged to weigh in as General Assembly considers new boundaries
SPRINGFIELD – The Senate Redistricting Committee will hold a series of public hearings to gather input on new Congressional and judicial subcircuit boundaries following information recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
At least five hearings will take place as the General Assembly prepares to vote on new maps, and the public is encouraged to weigh in by providing testimony about potential changes or submitting proposed maps for the committee to consider.
The hearings will take place both virtually and in-person to ensure stakeholders from across the state can safely participate during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Members of the public may request to provide testimony, submit electronic testimony or submit electronic witness slips in advance of the hearings via the General Assembly website www.ilga.gov or through email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Residents can also draw and submit proposed boundaries through a recently relaunched online map making portal, which can be accessed at www.ilsenateredistricting.com. Returning users that have previously used the portal do not need to create a new account. Maps can also be drawn using other programs and submitted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
“It is more important than ever that the diversity of our state is reflected in Washington, and we encourage residents across Illinois to take advantage of these opportunities to make their voices heard,” said Sen. Omar Aquino, D-Chicago, Chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee. “Providing numerous ways for the public to participate in the mapmaking process is the best way to ensure every person in Illinois receives fair and equal representation.”
In addition to seeking input on new boundaries for Congressional and current judicial subcircuits, some hearings will also explore the potential creation of subcircuits in counties with a population of more than 150,000 people.
“As demographics evolve and populations shift, it’s important our judicial system reflect those changes,” said Sen. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, Vice Chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee. “By updating judicial subcircuit boundaries, and potentially creating new subcircuits in areas that have seen population growth, we will be giving residents a greater say in who should be entrusted to uphold the laws of our state.”
The hearing schedule is as follows:
- Friday, October 8, 10:00 a.m., Oakton Community College, Room 1608/1610, 1600 Golf Road, Des Plaines (in-person and virtual)
Subject: Congressional boundaries and Cook County Subcircuits
- Tuesday, October 12, 2:00 p.m., Chicago State University, 4th Floor Board Room, Gwendolyn Brooks Library, 9501 South King Dr., Chicago (in-person and virtual)
Subject: Congressional boundaries and Cook County Subcircuits
- Wednesday, October 13, 4:00 p.m., Elgin Area Community College, Seigle Auditorium in Building E, 1700 Spartan Dr., Elgin (Virtual Hearing – participants may testify at the hearing location or via Zoom)
Subject: Congressional boundaries, current Subcircuits in Will and Kane Counties and the potential creation of subcircuits in counties with a population of more than 150,000
- Thursday, October 14, 12:00 p.m., Illinois State Capitol, Room 409, Springfield (Virtual Hearing – participants may testify at the hearing location or via Zoom)
Subject: Congressional boundaries and the potential creation of subcircuits in counties with a population of more than 150,000
- Friday, October 15, 2:00 p.m. at Dunn Richmond Economic Center, Conference Room 241, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1740 Innovation Drive, Carbondale (Virtual Hearing – participants may testify at the hearing location or via Zoom)
Subject: Congressional boundaries and the potential creation of subcircuits in counties with a population of more than 150,000
