From the local Beacon News:
New Will County Board map could give more voices to minorities
JOLIET — Minority voices on the Will County Board could grow if it draws new political lines as proposed this summer, one board member says, and that would better reflect the county’s increasingly diverse population.
Denise Winfrey, D-Joliet, said she sees “an opportunity” for minorities in two redistricting proposals on the table. She is one of 10 board members on the county’s redistricting committee, and Board Chairman Jim Moustis, R-Frankfort, said he asked her to be a voice on the panel for Will County’s minority groups.
Winfrey said she’d try to stop a third proposed map if it gets support, though. It increases the county’s districts from nine to 13 and reduces board membership from 27 to 26. She said that map could radically alter Will County’s political makeup to the point of confusion, especially in areas with fewer registered voters and more people who don’t speak English.
“People would be just in a fog,” Winfrey said. . . (read full)