Senate and House Democrats Propose New Cook County Judicial Subcircuit Boundaries

SPRINGFIELD – The Senate and House Redistricting Committees today released a proposed map of new Cook County Judicial Subcircuit boundaries to reflect population shifts that have taken place over the course of three decades.

“The current Cook County subcircuits are extremely outdated and out of proportion population wise,” said Rep. Lisa Hernandez, Chair of the House Redistricting Committee. “These proposed boundaries allow for better representation of the diversity within Cook County for the first time since the subcircuits were created in 1991.”

“It’s important that our judicial system reflect our communities, especially as Cook County becomes increasingly diverse,” said Sen. Omar Aquino, Chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee. “These updates are long overdue and will give residents a greater and more equal say in who is trusted to interpret the laws of our state and oversee our legal processes.”

Under this proposal, the number of subcircuits in Cook County will increase from 15 to 20, largely due to the population growth in the Chicagoland area. The subcircuits will be substantially equalized to better reflect the population and demographic shifts that have occurred across the county during the past three decades.

This new map will not impact the tenure of the current judges in Cook County.

Members of the public may request to provide testimony, submit electronic testimony or submit electronic witness slips in advance of the hearings via the General Assembly website www.ilga.gov or through email at redistrictingcommittee@hds.ilga.gov and redistrictingcommittee@senatedem.ilga.gov. Those who wish to provide testimony at a hearing location will be given the opportunity to do so as well.

Cook County Subcircuit Hearing

• Thursday, December 16^th at 1:30 p.m. – Joint House and Senate Hearing

Hybrid Hearing – participants may testify via Zoom or in person

Location – Room C-600, 6^th Floor, Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N LaSalle St. Chicago, IL

Members of the public can also submit their own proposals through the online map portal located on the House and Senate redistricting websites. For that tool and to view the proposed map, visit www.ilsentateredistricting.com or www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting.

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