CHICAGO – U.S. Census Bureau announced on Thursday that Illinois was undercounted by nearly 2% which means that the population grew by approximately 250,000 residents. This is currently more than 13 million people for the first time in the state’s history.

Chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee Omar Aquino (D-Chicago), released the following statement in response:

“I am excited that so many new Illinoisans have recognized that our state is a great place to live, work and raise our families. We have set up Illinois to be an economic hub for green technology, made vital investments in our schools and higher education facilities and are working to ensure workers receive a fair wage.

“I am dedicated to working with Illinois’ federal officials to ensure the state receives the funding and resources that residents deserve.”

SPRINGFIELD – The House and Senate Redistricting Committees today released updated Cook County Judicial Subcircuit boundaries that reflect suggestions gathered during the public hearing in December. Additionally, the Committees released proposed redrawn subcircuits for the 16th and 19th Circuits, as well as the proposed creation of subcircuits in the 3rd, 7th, 17th and 18th Circuits to allow for greater opportunities for diversity on the bench. Redrawn subcircuits for the 12th and 22nd Circuits will be forthcoming.

Noteworthy revisions to the Cook County boundaries include consolidating Niles Township and extending greater Chinatown further south down to Pershing Road. These improvements, offered through public testimony, will better reflect the population and demographics in these communities.

The creation of new subcircuits in DuPage, Sangamon and Madison counties will give minority communities a better opportunity to elect candidates of their choice and influence elections. These new subcircuits will help improve the diversity of opinion and background of judges, while giving everyone a voice in electing a bench of judges they feel best represent their communities.

The proposed drawing of subcircuits will not impact the tenure of current circuit court judges.

Members of the public may provide testimony or offer suggestions through email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If anyone wishes to submit their own proposals, they may do so through the online map portal located on the House and Senate redistricting websites. For that tool and to view the proposed maps, visit www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting or www.ilsenateredistricting.com.

Map equalizes population and reflects diversity in Cook County

SPRINGFIELD – The Senate and House Redistricting Committees today released a proposed map of new Cook County Judicial Subcircuit boundaries to reflect population shifts that have taken place over the course of three decades.

“The current Cook County subcircuits are extremely outdated and out of proportion population wise,” said Rep. Lisa Hernandez, Chair of the House Redistricting Committee. “These proposed boundaries allow for better representation of the diversity within Cook County for the first time since the subcircuits were created in 1991.”

“It’s important that our judicial system reflect our communities, especially as Cook County becomes increasingly diverse,” said Sen. Omar Aquino, Chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee. “These updates are long overdue and will give residents a greater and more equal say in who is trusted to interpret the laws of our state and oversee our legal processes.”

Under this proposal, the number of subcircuits in Cook County will increase from 15 to 20, largely due to the population growth in the Chicagoland area. The subcircuits will be substantially equalized to better reflect the population and demographic shifts that have occurred across the county during the past three decades.

This new map will not impact the tenure of the current judges in Cook County.

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. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Those who wish to provide testimony at a hearing location will be given the opportunity to do so as well.

Cook County Subcircuit Hearing

• Thursday, December 16^th at 1:30 p.m. – Joint House and Senate Hearing

Hybrid Hearing – participants may testify via Zoom or in person

Location – Room C-600, 6^th Floor, Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N LaSalle St. Chicago, IL

Members of the public can also submit their own proposals through the online map portal located on the House and Senate redistricting websites. For that tool and to view the proposed map, visit www.ilsenateredistricting.com or www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting.

Map ensures communities across Illinois receive equal representation in Washington

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate approved a new map of congressional boundaries that will ensure communities across Illinois receive fair and equal representation in Washington.

The boundaries are designed to comply with federal and state law and incorporate suggestions gathered during several public hearings, including the creation of a new district designed to give the state’s growing Latino population greater say at the ballot box.

“I want to thank those who participated in our hearings for their constructive input. This is a fairer map for it,” said Senate President Don Harmon, who sponsored the map legislation. “This map reflects the wonderful diversity of the people of the great state of Illinois.”

Population shifts over the last decade meant the number of residents in previous congressional districts were unbalanced, with major population differences from one district to another. In addition, the loss of a congressional district meant that each district also had to incorporate approximately 50,000 additional people. This map creates districts with nearly identical population counts in each district so that every community in Illinois has an equal say in Congress.

The proposed boundaries can be viewed at www.ilsenateredistricting.com. The measure now heads to the House for approval.

Under the leadership of Senate Democrats, this year’s redistricting process focused on gathering as much public input as possible, allowing for the diversity of Illinois to be reflected at every level of government. In addition to gathering feedback during public hearings, Democrats established the state’s first online map making portal so residents could draw and submit proposed boundaries for lawmakers to consider. Proposed maps drafted using other methods were also accepted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..