We all dream of a more equitable and diverse Chicago, and it is readily apparent to most people that the #aldermen are a big part of the problem. Chicago and its citizens have suffered a lot for the political gains of a few individuals. The #WardMap is an important aspect of the way we are represented in the city's government, since each ward has its own alderman who is supposed to fight for the best interests of those who live within it. The city is falling short of this ideal, mainly due to the complex and bizarre mapping of the city.

We need to change the absurd and complicated process of mapping which under-represents the interest of people. The absolute authority of aldermen when it comes to the process of mapping simply cannot be justified. In past decades, considerable demographic changes have been observed. Yet the ward map that was most recently drawn seems largely arbitrary. For instance, there is a sizable population of Asian-American in areas such as Chinatown/Bridgeport on the Near South Side and the West Argyle Street community on the North Side; however, there are not any Asian aldermen to specifically represent their interests. 

Madeleine Doubek from CHANGE Illinois, a non-partisan group advocating for the reform of elections and government, says that “Chicago stands at a precipice right now as we seek to fix the systemic racism that has left people out and held our city back. Ending ward gerrymandering and giving residents their power and voices is critical to this process. We need a map that puts the people first.” As Doubek has unequivocally stated, the people who live in our city are the only ones who can make it more equitable by way of their direct involvement in the process of mapping the wards.

We live in a so-called democracy, yet the important decisions regarding the people are made in the dark corridors, away from the people they claim to represent. Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who also supported the idea of an independent citizen commission, has said that “we can’t afford to keep carving up communities that isn’t fair to them or doesn’t give them fair representation.” One thing is quite clear: the democratic process can not be served by a remapping process that is left in the hands of political insiders rather than the actual population. 

Leaving the decennial remapping process in the hands of the cynical politicians and aldermen will bring no good for the people of Chicago. History is replete with evidence that political gains, advantages in elections, protection for the seats, and acts of punishing political adversaries have been considered while drawing the maps. Wider public interest and the actual wishes of regular people have always been pushed aside.

Now, there is an overwhelming need for the public to be engaged in the process, or at least to make their voices heard. Creating a fair and balanced ward map to effectively represent our citizens' best interests can not be done unless these citizens are consulted during the process. Only the proper, fair, and equitable remapping of the city will ensure that the people of the city are equally heard under the roof of the city hall. Until the aspirations of the people who make up this historical city are incorporated in the reform and mapping process, we will not be on the right path towards a more fair and equal ward map.