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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Partisan breakdown of newly proposed congressional map

Saturday, Oct 23, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

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*** UPDATED - Comments now open *** Democrats release new congressional map - More Latino strength - Newman, Casten in same district - Kinzinger, LaHood mapped together - Miller, Bost mapped together

Saturday, Oct 23, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

The House and Senate Redistricting Committees today released an updated version of the proposed congressional map that accounts for public feedback while improving minority influence.

“These new proposed congressional boundaries are historic and reflect the great diversity present throughout the state,” said Rep. Lisa Hernandez, Chair of the House Redistricting Committee. “The proposal ensures minorities, as well as the rest of Illinoisans, have an equitable voice in representation in Washington. I want to thank everyone who has participated in helping our bipartisan redistricting committee collect feedback, and I look forward to additional hearings next week.”

“The changes made in this updated congressional map will help ensure the diversity of Illinois is reflected in Washington,” said Sen. Omar Aquino, Chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee. “We appreciate the many advocacy groups and individuals that continue to guide our work with passion and dedication, as we remain focused on the creation of a fair map that will provide equal representation for all.”

This amended version of the proposed congressional boundaries reflects changes based on testimony received in previous hearings. For example, the map keeps the Round Lakes area together in one Congressional District. This proposal also creates a new coalition district to enhance minority influence.

The proposal can be viewed at www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting and www.ilsenateredistricting.com. The public is encouraged to provide feedback during additional hearings next week.

Tentative Hearing Schedule:

· House Hearing: Tuesday, October 26 (Time/Location TBD)

· Senate Hearing: Wednesday, October 27 (Time/Location TBD)

Details on the hearing schedule will be forthcoming as times 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 redistrictingcommittee@hds.ilga.gov and redistrictingcommittee@senatedem.ilga.gov.

The House and Senate Redistricting Committees also encourage the public to utilize the map making portal. This tool allows residents to draw and submit proposed boundaries for lawmakers to consider. The portal can be accessed at www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting or www.ilsenatedems.com/redistricting. While the portal will remain open for the duration of these redistricting efforts, residents are encouraged to submit their proposals as soon as possible. Returning users that have previously used the portal do not need to create a new account.

The General Assembly is expected to vote on new congressional boundaries by the end of the scheduled fall veto session.

* The proposed map has a majority Latino voting age population district (currently represented by Chuy Garcia) and a Latino influenced VAP district (the 3rd District, which has no current incumbent). Click the chart for a larger view…

The first draft map had a solid Latino district and no significantly Latino influenced district.

* Democratic US Reps. Marie Newman and Sean Casten are mapped together in the 6th CD. Former US Rep. Dan Lipinski is also in the 6th.

*** UPDATE *** Republican US Reps. Darin LaHood and Adam Kinzinger are in the same district (16). And Republicans Mike Bost and Mary Miller are in the same district (12).

* Here are the maps…

* Rodney Davis’ district is the 15th, the purple one above which runs from western Illinois, over to eastern Illinois and then back down to near the Metro East.

* Lauren Underwood’s 14th District runs from Joliet out to LaSalle County and up to DeKalb.

* Here are the incumbents and their respective districts…

…Adding… I should probably remind you that there is no guarantee that this is the final map. Do not automatically assume that there will be no further changes.

…Adding… Also, there’s some misinformation out there from supposed map expert Dave Wasserman. This is really easy to check. Click here for the 2020 candidate list with home addresses. Then copy and paste those addresses into the search function on the map district page.

…Adding… Here you go…

Here is the past electoral performance for the 2nd newly proposed congressional districts released by the ILGA. If you'd like to compare them to the current map you can find that here:https://t.co/D8IGJjgQIh pic.twitter.com/6i74xMolYF

— IL Election Data (@ILElectionData) October 23, 2021

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Can’t somebody at the state step in and help Dixmoor with its water problem?

Friday, Oct 22, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Jade Yan at the Tribune…

Nearly a week a later, Dixmoor is still without reliable running water as Cook County officials met Thursday with representatives of the south suburb and the town of Harvey.

Homes in Dixmoor are still experiencing “a spectrum” of problems ranging from no water to a trickle, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said at a news conference Thursday morning in Dixmoor. […]

Barnes said that officials are “still unsure” what the problem is, and that it’s been difficult to diagnose because the pipes are underground and “the way you diagnose is through process of elimination.”

The problem has been isolated to a stretch of water main that runs under Wood Street, he added. Dixmoor has experienced further issues with its turbines, also known as pumps, one of which still needs to be repaired.

Water may be cut off for residences near where work is being done, said John Yonan, an engineer and Cook County’s bureau chief of asset management. Yonan was unable to provide a timeline for when the problems will be fixed.

* ABC 7…

More than 800 students in West Harvey-Dixmoor Public School District have been sitting home all week, impacted by the village’s lack of water pressure. Laptops and hotspots were handed out to waiting parents at Dixmoor’s MLK Elementary School Thursday, as one of three district schools prepares to teach remotely Monday. […]

Harvey Village officials have kept quiet throughout the week, even though they supply Dixmoor with its water.

Harvey is where it is believed the problem originally occurred SaturdAy morning after a water main broke. Several more pipe breaks have popped up since then.

“They need some technical kind of expertise to diagnose what they said is a clog in one of their feeder mains,” said John Yonan, Cook County Bureau of Asset Management.

It’s a cascading problem because their pipes are a century old. Something breaks and that causes other things to break down the line. It’s a mess. Meanwhile, people are going without water.

…Adding… According to a Tribune study a few years ago, “Dixmoor’s water bill is higher than 152 of the 162 towns [which use Lake Michigan water] that provided information.”