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Unclear on the concept

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What would a Chicago redistricting process look like if it included community input? Well, as it currently stands, we wouldn’t know. That’s because the mandated remap process hasn’t traditionally included input from Chicagoans. Instead, the process has been exclusionary, occurring behind closed doors, and effectively splintering neighborhoods while gerrymandering wards to protect incumbent aldermen. […]

Out of 260 survey respondents, 251, or 96 percent, either agreed or strongly agreed that the remap process must include input from people in Chicago’s communities. […]

Those who took the survey live in 39 of Chicago’s 50 wards. […]

Those who participated in the survey represent the diversity of Chicago:

• 58% of respondents identified as female
• 66% respondents were between the ages of 18-39
• 13% of respondents identified as African American/Black
• 19% of respondents identified as Latinx
• 47% of respondents identified as Caucasian
• 4% of respondents identified as East Asian
• 3% of respondents identified as South Asian or Southeast Asian

Um, what? That survey doesn’t “represent” the city’s diversity.

According to the US Census Bureau, Chicago is about 30 percent Black, 29 percent Latino and 33 percent white.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 11, 20 @ 3:32 pm

Comments

Please, for crying out loud stop calling us Latinos “Latinx.”

Comment by Please Friday, Dec 11, 20 @ 3:45 pm
When only 40% of certain areas of the city have broadband access who do you expect to be taking these surveys - Predominately young, white people. I wonder if there is also divergence between gender when it comes to race as well.

Comment by 1st Ward Friday, Dec 11, 20 @ 3:57 pm
Maybe I am giving Change Illinois too much credit, but I presume Change Illinois isn’t saying the survey looks *exactly* like the diversity of Chicago. They are saying there was a diverse group of people who participated in the survey.

Comment by Gravy Bond Friday, Dec 11, 20 @ 4:01 pm
The concern of gerrymandering is part of the good… where representation should mirror population…

… but here there’s nothing really mirroring reality?

Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 11, 20 @ 4:12 pm
Which 11 wards were excluded from this survey?

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Dec 11, 20 @ 4:20 pm