Chicago City Wire

While the Chicago City Council will begin the ward remapping process on Monday, the Chicago Advisory Redistricting Commission began collecting public input on redistricting a full month ago.

The commission is an independent body who, according to its website, is on a mission to “be a model upholding racial equity and engagement, as well as best practices for independent redistricting nationwide.” It has held public hearings calling on Chicagoans to provide their proposals and testimonies on how they think their community should be reflected in Chicago’s 50 wards. 

The body had Lisa Myles as one of its witnesses at its July 16 public hearing.

“I am a member of the Beverly Community, I have been for over 30 years and am very pleased with our alderman, and the area, the services we received,” Myles said. “It's been a great community to raise children. (It's a) pretty close-knit community. Our community, I hope will continue to grow. I’m involved in many different organizations. I’ve been involved in different aspects and I've also raised several foster children in the area and it's just been a wonderful experience along with the architecture of our area and just so many, so many accents.”

While she can’t specifically define the boundaries of her community, she said she “can't really complain about anything at this point.”

“I mean I've seen changes,” she continued. “I've seen a lot of positive (changes) and just to have that type of environment has been so good to us.”

Myles further touted that Beverly is a great community and says her alderman makes an effort to call residents by their first names, and he supports the police.

“In terms of what Beverly means to me, it means family, community, the diversity of families joining together and participating in so many efforts, fundraisers, walks, runs, events that our area has had that have made it what it is,” she said. “Having involvement with our alderman out in the community. He’s in the community and very supportive.”

The commission continues to hold public hearings to maximize “opportunities for communities of color to elect aldermen of their choosing.” It held its first public hearing in June.

The Chicago City Council will have to wait for the official 2020 census data in August to be fully engaged in the process.

At least 41 aldermen are needed to approve the map that would be created by the Chicago City Council. If approved by Dec. 1, the map will take effect in time for the 2023 municipal elections.