Will County Districts Will Be Redrawn; Officials Want Input

WILL COUNTY, IL — Every 10 years following the federal census, Will County board district maps are redrawn to reflect shifts in population. Two draft maps are done, and the Will County Board is looking for public input on the proposed changes ahead of an Oct. 21 board meeting where the final decision will be made.

Will County is currently divided into 13 districts, and two county board members represent each. A bipartisan committee was in charge of redrawing the maps by analyzing demographics, housing stock and roadways to "reflect constituent blocks with similar interests," officials said.

Of the two draft maps, one was recommended by the Board reappointment committee and the other was presented by County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, officials said Tuesday. Once residents inspect the maps, which can be viewed physically in locations throughout Will County or online, they can submit comments via email or speak at the Committee of the Whole meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4. The meeting will take place at the County Board Room, 302 N. Chicago St. in Joliet.

The County Executive map can be found here, and the County Board map can be viewed here — both in greater detail online than in person, officials said.

Both maps will also be on display at the following locations:

• County Office Building, 1st floor and in County Board Office, 302 N. Chicago St. in Joliet
• Crete Public Library, 1177 Main Street in Crete
• Fountaindale Public Library, 300 W. Briarcliff Road in Bolingbrook
• Frankfort Public Library, 21119 S. Pfeiffer Road in Frankfort
• Homer Township Public Library, 14320 W. 151st St. in Homer Glen
• Naperville Public Library – 95th Street, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive in Naperville
• Shorewood-Troy Public Library, 650 Deerwood Drive in Shorewood
• Wilmington Public Library, 201 S. Kankakee St. in Wilmington

"We take the mapmaking process very seriously," Minority Leader Mike Fricilone (Homer Glen) said in a statement. "We are committed to fair representation for the people of Will County. Part of that process is participation from the public, so I urge everyone to take a few moments to examine the maps and give us their feedback."