Statement from the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform On Chicago redistricting process

Jan. 19, 2012   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Brian Gladstein  (312) 335-1767

Brian Gladstein, executive director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, released the following statement following the Chicago City Council’s passage of a ward redistricting plan Thursday morning:

“The Chicago City Council in November approved a resolution stating that it would conduct the ward redistricting in a ‘transparent and accountable manner.’ Today’s vote was anything but what was promised.

“Approving a map without any public comment on the final product, let alone the chance for residents to even see it, is totally unacceptable. The final map wasn’t even made public until after the vote. This is not an example of open government. There is no justification for rushing to approve a map before the public had a chance to view it and provide feedback.

“Throughout the process, Chicagoans from all different backgrounds and wards asked the City Council to let them weigh in on the final proposal before it was passed. It appears those requests fell on deaf ears.

“Actions like today’s rush to vote on a remap damage the public’s faith in government and its elected officials. The City Council has let Chicago down.”

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The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform is a non-profit, non-partisan public interest organization conducting research and advocating reforms to promote public participation in government, address the role of money in politics and encourage integrity, accountability and transparency in government. The late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon and former Lt. Gov. Bob Kustra founded ICPR in 1997.

For more information, please visit ilcampaign.org