West Cook News

City of Countryside Committee of the Whole met Aug. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor McDermott.

Roll Call: City Clerk Kmet called the Roll of those physically present as follows: Present: Mayor McDermott, Alderman Benson, Alderman Frohlich, Alderman Finn, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Von Drasek, City Clerk Kmet, City Treasurer Bolt

Also Present: City Administrator Paul, City Attorney Peck, Asst. Administrator Peterson, Finance Director Schutter, Rec. Secretary Prokop

PUBLIC COMMENT – none

Review and Consider a New City Ward Map Based on the 2020 Census

Mayor McDermott introduced Attorney Burt Olson and Cartographer Frank Calabrese, who will make a presentation regarding compliance with Federal law in redistricting the wards based on the 2020 Census. Mr. Olson has done this job every ten years after each census. Both men have completed the City of Chicago ‘s 50 Wards; they also do other towns like Aurora and Markham. Pursuant to the 14th Amendment and the Federal Voting Rights Act, redistricting insures that one man, one vote prevails. Their job is to review the population shifts to determine whether the Wards are somewhat equal so that each Alderperson represents an equal amount of the population in each Ward. The last City Ordinance regarding redistricting was adopted in 1982 with a remap of the City. The population has shifted since then. There are no minority wards in Countryside.

The Illinois Municipal Code establishes the number of Wards and Alderpersons; that will not change. The Wards should be nearly equal in population, with compact and contiguous territory. No precinct shall be divided between two or more Wards, per the County Clerk. Redistricting shall be completed not less than 30 days before the filing of candidate petitions for the next succeeding election. This new Ordinance must be passed by October 22, 2022. In Countryside, there is a 15% deviation from one ward to another; the City must balance the wards. The law allows up to a 10% deviation from the least to the highest populated ward. The wards must be balanced without too much change.

Mr. Frank Calabrese does Census Analysis and redraws municipal boundaries. Countryside actually grew in population. He displayed the current map, designed in 1982; much has happened since that time. Due to obsolete software used then, a population comparison is not feasible. He did a 10-year population spread to reflect those changes. There is a growing Latino population but not large enough to require a minority ward. Demographics is an issue in larger populations, but Countryside is more than 70% white. All three Wards have grown; Ward 2 has grown the most, about 10%; Ward 3 grew 7%; Ward 1 also grew 7%; overall growth is 8% for the City. The City has grown by about 500 people in the last ten years.

Deviation looks at how far the City is from the median. Ward 3 is 10% above the median; Wards 1 and 2 are below the median. The Wards should be relatively equal in size so the vote is equalized as well. Every Congressional District must be exactly even. Smaller municipalities have a leeway of 10% in either direction; Countryside has a 16% deviation because Ward 3 is 10% above and Ward 1 is 6% below. To make all the wards equal, 2,140 people are needed in each ward. Ward 1 is 40% Latino. Several maps were viewed showing demographic spread patterns. To get the wards in compliance with the 14th Amendment, their proposal would shift people from Ward 1 into Ward 3, which would even out the population. Two blocks, 6th and 7th Avenues north of 55th Street will be moved into Ward 3; this will change the balance to a 5% deviation, which is acceptable. Ward 2 doesn’t change; it is within the deviation.

Attorney Olson will provide hard copies of screen charts to Council members. If this proposal is acceptable, an Ordinance will be required to include a legal description, which can be done by census blocks. The Ordinance can be passed at a subsequent meeting and the City will then be in compliance with the 14th Amendment.

Mayor McDermott stated that this could be done at the September meeting. Alderman Benson asked about the City’s total response to the 2020 Census. Mr. Olson stated that in general, Cook County suburbs are at about 85%. Mayor McDermott sought a motion to send the proposed new City Ward Map based on the 2020 Census to the City Council for approval.

A motion was made by Alderman Mikolyzk, seconded by Alderman Musillami that this matter be APPROVED as presented. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Frohlich, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Finn, Alderman Benson, Alderman Mikolyzk

Nay: 0

OTHER BUSINESS - none

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Alderman Musillami, seconded by Alderman Benson that this meeting be ADJOURNED. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Frohlich, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Finn, Alderman Benson, Alderman Mikolyzk

Nay: 0

Mayor McDermott declared the meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m.

https://www.countryside-il.org/agendas-minutes/august-10-2022/