Residents asked to weigh in on new Will County Board District Map
County Board districts redrawn after federal census
JOLIET – The Will County Board is seeking public input on the proposed county board district maps which must be redrawn every ten years following the federal census. Two draft maps are available for public review ahead of the October 21st County Board meeting where a final map will be approved. One map was recommended by the Board reapportionment committee and the other was presented by County Executive Bertino-Tarrant.
“A strong democracy requires active participation by the public and we want Will County residents to offer comments on our two proposed County Board district maps,” said Will County Board Speaker Mimi Cowan (Naperville). “Residents can review maps at various physical locations throughout the county, or online, and submit written comments via email or provide comments at the October 4th public hearing.”
Will County is currently divided into 13 districts represented by two county board members each. A bipartisan committee was charged with drawing an updated map. This process occurs every ten years and reflects shifts in population after the federal census was taken. The reapportionment committee reviewed demographics, housing stock, roadways and more to draw balanced districts that reflect constituent blocks with similar interests.
“We’re committed to a bipartisan process that fairly represents the people of Will County,” said map Reapportionment Committee Chair Tyler Marcum (Joliet). “We hope residents take time to look at how the districts are drawn and give their feedback so the Board can approve the best map possible.”
The County Board selected eight physical locations to display the two maps and has also made the maps available online. The online versions have greater detail than the physical maps.
A public hearing will be held at a Committee of the Whole on Monday, October 4th at 6:30 pm in the Will County Board Room. The meeting will also be streamed live via Webex. A link will be available on the County Board website, www.WillCountyBoard.com.
“We take the mapmaking process very seriously,” said Minority Leader Mike Fricilone (Homer Glen). “We are committed to fair representation for the people of Will County. Part of that process is participation from the public, so I urge everyone to take a few moments to examine the maps and give us their feedback.”
The maps will be on display at the following locations by the end of the day on Tuesday, September 28th.
County Office Building, 1st floor and in County Board Office
Crete Public Library, Crete
Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook
Frankfort Public Library, Frankfort
Homer Township Public Library, Homer Glen
Naperville Public Library – 95th Street, Naperville
Shorewood-Troy Public Library, Shorewood
Wilmington Public Library
The County Board map can be viewed online at : https://redistricting-willcountygis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/county-board
The County Executive map can be viewed online at: https://redistricting-willcountygis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/county-executive
The Board is expected to approve a final map at the October 21st County Board meeting. The Executive Committee will discuss the maps at their meetings on October 7th and October 14th.
