Raoul says Committee is ready to tackle redistricting now that budget negotiations are over

Chicago, IL— The Senate’s Redistricting Committee will meet next Wednesday to begin a series of subject-matter hearings regarding how Illinois should best approach its redistricting process.

The first subject-matter hearing is set to include an overview of the history of Illinois redistricting, census data and the legal requirements for redistricting. The hearing will provide a firm foundation for committee members to address redistricting in an informed manner. “It was important that we addressed the fiscal needs of the state rather than holding a redistricting hearing on July 15th,” Senate Redistricting Chairman Kwame Raoul said. “Even though this hearing has been pushed back, it isn’t a reflection of our commitment to address this process in a comprehensive manner.”

After the July 15th hearing date was postponed Raoul attempted to reschedule the hearing for July 22nd; however, scheduling conflicts with the U.S. Census Bureau prevented the hearing from taking place.

“When I announced these hearings at the end of May, it was my hope that summer hearing dates would allow us to focus on the redistricting process free of distractions,” Raoul said. “Now that the state legislature has passed a budget, we can move on to address this important issue.”

WHAT: Senate Committee meets to discuss redistricting

WHO: Senate Redistricting Committee

DATE: Wednesday, July 29, 2009

TIME: 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Room 16-503 - Thompson Center, Chicago, IL