The calls for a citizen-based commission to redraw the ward map for Chicago have grown over recent years, particularly as a result of people's fear over gerrymandering. This call for reform however overestimates the impacts of gerrymandering. The first point to note is that #gerrymandering isn't certain to achieve the required results. The ultimate decision rests with the voters and any big political swing can damage a candidate's chances. The situation on the ground is a lot different from the calculations that go on in the computer rooms, as was evident in the 2016 elections. 

There are also questions concerning the neutrality of the proposed independent commissions. Citizen-based commissions could use Chicago census data to redraw ward maps, but the changes in population demographics can be very hard to track. An Alderman, on the other hand, represents the people and the wards in which they live. They understand the situation on the ground and are therefore better equipped to make appropriate changes. 

Independent commissions aren't immune from politics, either. This has never been more evident than now. No matter how hard we try to define all of the rules and regulations that they would need to follow, and how closely they are watched by the powers that be, it is impossible to force people to be objective. Everyone has their own beliefs and preconceived ideas regarding politics, whether or not they are even aware of these biases. The only real difference we would see with an independent commission is that it would be made up of people who are not employed in the political sphere. They would not know the intricacies involved in making such decisions, and it would be a case of us making a change just for change's sake, not for any logical reason.

The claim that Aldermen can redraw ward maps at their own whims is another concept which has been blown out of proportion entirely. The process of remapping the wards involves long hours of discussion and collaboration among all of the aldermen, which means that we have people representing each and every one of our communities. The mayor is involved in these talks as well, and the Governor has the final say over any redrawn maps through veto power. So any over-the-top changes would likely be rejected, unless they were deemed to be in the best interest of Chicago's citizens. 

Aldermen also ensure that a set number of council seats go to the city’s white, Latino and Black populations. The calls for Citizens based commission have upset the minority communities. Alderman Alderman Jason Ervin, Chairman of the City Council’s Black Caucus, doesn't see any need to change the way the city comes up with its boundaries: "our goal is to maintain as many African American wards as possible. We have 18 aldermen now. When we finish, we hope to maintain 18 wards."

Those in favor of a citizen-based commission take issue with the peculiar appearance of the most recent ward map. To develop an understanding of this, it is important to consider that people with shared interests do not always live in the same areas. Shapes such as rectangles and squares may look better on paper, but geography... and more importantly, demographics... do not work in the same way. That was precisely why the federal court approved the map for a 4th congressional district also known as the "earmuffs" district. The goal is to fulfill constitutional and legal criteria to provide "fairness to the voting rights of racial and language minorities," not to make pretty maps. 

Questions remain about the purported "neutrality" of citizen-based commissions. The impact of gerrymandering is not absolute, particularly when the Governor's final authority over redrawn maps is taken into consideration. Aldermen play a vital role in the redistricting efforts, and they are the best representatives for the job.