Will County Ad-Hoc Reapportionment Committee met June 29.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Marcum led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and requested a moment of silence for County Board Member Ken Harris and his family after the passing of his son, Cameron.
III. ROLL CALL
Chair Tyler Marcum called the meeting to order at 1:03 PM
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Tyler Marcum | Chair | Present | |
| Donald Gould | Vice-Chair | Present | |
| Mimi Cowan | Member | Present | |
| Mike Fricilone | Member | Present | |
| Gretchen Fritz | Member | Late | |
| Jim Moustis | Member | Present | |
| Meta Mueller | Member | Present | |
| Judy Ogalla | Member | Present | |
| Jacqueline Traynere | Member | Late | |
| Denise E. Winfrey | Member | Present |
Present from State's Attorney's Office: M. Tatroe.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. WC Ad-Hoc Reapportionment Committee - Regular Meeting - Jun 1, 2021 1:00 PM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member SECONDER: Judy Ogalla, Member AYES: Marcum, Gould, Cowan, Fricilone, Moustis, Mueller, Ogalla, Winfrey ABSENT: Fritz, Traynere |
1. Parameters for Reapportionment (Information)
2. Presentation/Review of GIS Map for 13 County Board Districts Version 9 Revised by Committee (Presentation)
3. Presentation/Review of GIS Map for 13 County Board Districts Alternative 2 Submitted by CBM Gould (Presentation)
VI. OTHER OLD BUSINESS
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Presentation/Review of GIS Map for 13 County Board Districts Alternative 2 Submitted by CBM Gould Modified (Presentation)
Mr. Marcum asked does anyone have questions on the maps listed under Old Business? If not, I will ask Mr. Johnson to review the map listed under New Business as Item #1 and explain the changes.
Mr. Johnson reviewed the changes to the Alternative 2 Modified map and the accompanying backup.
Mr. Gould stated it was brought up at the last meeting, about trying to create a Hispanic District. I worked with GIS and we found areas identified in the Alternative 2 Modified map. The areas are in Joliet, near the Bicentennial Area, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Evergreen Terrace and all of the neighborhoods along the Des Plaines River which were added to District #8. To compensate, we looked at areas that run along Ingalls Avenue, east of Larkin Avenue and those were put into District #9; as they currently are. There was a small subdivision near Fairmont, with about 100 people which was not in Alternative 2.
Mr. Johnson added of those 100 people, about two-thirds were African-American.
Mr. Gould continued that was not in the Alternative 2, so that subdivision was placed into District #8. The other Districts did not have any substantial changes, expect those that surrounded District #8. It would increase the percentages for minority voters and residents, compared to the last version.
Ms. Ventura stated I looked at moving some lines between Districts #8, #9 and #10 and I left Rockdale alone. You moved Rockdale into District #8; what did you adjust in District #6? Can you explain why you made these changes, as opposed to the ones I suggested? My suggestions took more of Jofield in Plainfield Township into District #9, instead of more Joliet.
Mr. Gould replied the change in District #6 was the area north of Noel Road in Jackson Township, which was part of District #8. Approximately 1,800 people were taken out of District #8 and put into District #6, because it was overwhelmingly a Caucasian population. Rockdale was taken from District #6 and put into District #8 because the percentage of Hispanics in Rockdale was over 40%. It was an even swap with 1,800 in Rockdale versus 1,800 people in Jackson Township. It was just to increase the percentage. I looked at the Jofield area. One of the things in the statute is that the districts should be compact and contiguous. If you look at the two versions of District #8; you cannot say it is not compact. It is not possible to draw a line from County Line Road to Ingalls Park and call it compact. We would be drawing a line from Ingalls Park, in New Lenox Township, all the way to County Line Road. You will pick up the Hispanic population on County Line Road and in Ingalls Park, but you have a significant Caucasian population in between and the district would not be compact.
Ms. Ventura stated I don’t have a problem with the changes in Districts #8 and #6; I agree with strengthening the percentage. With the District #9 changes, it was just swapping different areas with District #10. Part of that was because District #9 already has Plainfield Township in it and why would we also have District #10 have Plainfield Township in it, when they could just have Joliet Township. Instead of having the dip in Joliet by Raynor Park or going down to Marion, it would be kept in District #10 and would make those more compact. I don’t think it would go from county line to county line, District #9 would go from Lockport Township to Plainfield Township. It did not have any of Troy Township in it; it was Plainfield Township, Joliet Township and a little bit of Lockport Township. That was just a District #9 and District #10 switch in that upper corner. I tried to keep most of Crystal Lawns with the Crest Hill area and we had to swap out that Joliet area. This is in mine, Mrs. Parker and Mr. Marcum’s areas. We know our areas pretty well and I feel this keeps communities together better. I tried not to split the Jofield area because many of those people go to the same schools and by keeping them all in one district it would keep those communities of interest together.
Mr. Marcum stated currently the Jofield area is in District #10 and they seem to have a lot in common. The line for the Plainfield, Joliet and Troy schools is Theodore Street, so they are split. But, socially and economically, they are similar. To me, it makes more sense to keep Jofield in District #10.
Mrs. Parker stated I wanted to thank GIS and Mr. Gould for moving things around and I think they did a good job. I am good with the map.
Mr. Fricilone asked what is the next step?
Mr. Marcum replied if we can all agree, we will be working off of this map. Does anyone want to see the other two maps and compare them to this one? The Governor has indicated he will not be signing an extension to his Executive Order and we will be meeting in-person in late July. I think our next meeting should be when we are all in-person, when we can look at the maps together and get more in-depth. I think we are at a good point to get down to the nitty-gritty when we are in-person, instead of trying to follow computer screens.
Mrs. Ogalla stated I am looking forward to getting together in-person to see the maps to decide whether they are contiguous and whether we have good reasoning behind them, so when people ask us why something is in one particular district, we can give them a good explanation.
VIII. OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Speaker Cowan stated I have been looking at an 11 District map and I thought it was worth considering. This Committee can do what it wants to do, but the 11 District map is printed and posted with the others in the office. It is not perfect and I would love for people to look at it and see how we can make it better. The one thing about it, that is not true with some of the other maps is, there is an African-American plurality in one district. Our County is about 11% African-American. One district out of the 11 districts would be 9% of the districts and that is better than zero. It has two Hispanic plurality districts; which is 18% and our Hispanic population is about 18%. I kept some of the other comments in mind while creating this map. I think it is worth looking at, but that is up to the Committee. Everyone can see it in person. It is in the office and if there are little things you would like to see different, you can talk with Mr. Palmer or Mr. Johnson. If you have questions about the district breakdowns, Mr. Palmer or Mr. Johnson can supply that information. As everyone said, being in-person will be easier. All of the maps are up in the office. They have been blown up, with all of the statistics.
Mrs. Ogalla asked has the County Executive’s Office indicated when she will have a map? Mr. Marcum replied I have not been given a date, so I am not 100% sure.
Mr. Moustis asked can the 11 District map be sent out so everyone can look at it? Mr. Marcum replied I will defer to Speaker Cowan, since it is her map.
Speaker Cowan stated I would be happy to ask Mr. Johnson to do that.
IX. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Kyle Clare read the attached statement into the record.
Ms. Fritz and Mrs. Traynere arrived at this juncture.
Mrs. Adams announced there were no other public comments.
1. Public Comment from Ad-Hoc Reapportionment Meeting June 29, 2021 (Public Comment)
X. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS BY CHAIR
Mr. Marcum stated our next meeting will be when we are able to be in-person and see the maps. Mrs. Jakaitis will send an e-mail with a couple of meeting date options, after the Executive Order expires. It will be the last week of July or the first week of August.
XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
XII. ADJOURNMENT
1. Motion to Adjourn at 1:29 PM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mike Fricilone, Member SECONDER: Mimi Cowan, Member AYES: Marcum, Gould, Cowan, Fricilone, Fritz, Moustis, Mueller, Ogalla, Traynere, Winfrey |
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