Public encouraged to provide feedback at upcoming public hearings or through online portal

SPRINGFIELD – The House and Senate Redistricting Committees have released a proposed map of new congressional boundaries designed to comply with federal law and ensure the broad diversity of the state is reflected in the elected officials sent to represent Illinois in Washington D.C.

The release of this draft comes after a series of public House and Senate hearings held across the state intended to collect as much input and testimony as possible. The proposal can be viewed at www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting and www.ilsenateredistricting.com. The public is encouraged to provide feedback during additional hearings that will begin next week.

“This proposal is an excellent first draft that amplifies diverse voices and gives every person in our state a say in government,” said Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, D-Cicero, Chairperson of the House Redistricting Committee. “I look forward to ongoing discussion with members of the public, advocacy groups, and community organizations as we continue this effort to ensure our congressional boundaries reflect the diversity of this great state.”

“Population changes over the last decade meant many of the current districts were unbalanced. This proposed map is an effort to ensure every community across our state receives fair and equal representation in Washington,” said Sen. Elgie Sims, Vice Chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee. “We thank those who have taken time to participate in this process and look forward to receiving continued feedback from voices across Illinois.”

Finalized hearings for the House and Senate are as follows:

• House Hearing: Wednesday, October 20 at 9:00 a.m. at the Illinois State Capitol, Room 114
• Senate Hearing: Wednesday, October 20 at 2 p.m. at the Illinois State Capitol, Room 212 (Virtual Hearing – participants may testify at the hearing location or via Zoom)

Additional hearing information will be forthcoming as dates and locations are finalized. These will be hybrid hearings with the opportunity for in-person and virtual testimony. Those wishing to provide testimony, submit electronic testimony or submit electronic witness slips can do so in advance of the hearing 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.. The General Assembly is expected to vote on new congressional boundaries by the end of the scheduled fall veto session.

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

Residents encouraged to draw and submit their ideas for lawmakers to consider

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois House and Senate Redistricting Committees have relaunched an online map making portal which will allow residents to draw and submit proposed congressional boundaries for lawmakers to consider as redistricting efforts continue.

The map making portal can be accessed at www.ilsenateredistricting.com and www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting. Returning users that have previously used the portal do not need to create a new account.

The relaunch of the portal comes ahead of a series of public hearings the committees will hold in October to gather input on the makeup of new congressional districts. Additional details about hearings will be announced in the coming days as Democrats remain committed to a redistricting process centered on public participation with more accessibility than ever before. Members of the public may also submit written testimony or draft congressional maps at any time 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.. 

“It’s never been more important that every resident of Illinois has a strong voice in Congress, and that starts with ensuring everyone has a voice in the mapmaking process,” said Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, D-Cicero, Chairperson of the House Redistricting Committee. “This mapmaking tool gives everyone the opportunity to share their thoughts and help us create districts that reflect our state.”

“Now is the time for residents across Illinois to make their voices heard to ensure our state has strong representation in Washington,” said Sen. Omar Aquino, D-Chicago, Chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee. “We encourage residents to take advantage of these opportunities to directly participate in the map making process, as the best map is one that reflects the diverse voices across our state.”

Adjustments include efforts to keep more communities whole

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate and House Redistricting Committees have released an updated map of legislative boundaries and are encouraging the public to provide feedback before the General Assembly is scheduled to vote on the proposal this week.

The updated map follows the release of long-delayed information from the U.S. Census Bureau and can be viewed at www.ilsenateredistricting.com and www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting. The proposed map comes after a series of public hearings the committees have held in recent days to gather input on potential adjustments. Additional public hearings will take place before legislators vote on the boundaries.

The map is designed to comply with federal and state law and ensure the broad racial and geographic diversity of Illinois is reflected in the General Assembly. Among the proposed adjustments is an effort to keep more communities whole, a frequent request from local officials throughout Illinois.

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