Chair Prenzler unveils proposed Madison County board map reducing districts from 29 to 25; public hearing set
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Summary
Chairman Kurt Prenzler presented a proposed county board redistricting map on May 11 that would reduce districts from 29 to 25; the University of Illinois Springfield prepared the plan using American Community Survey data and a public hearing was scheduled for Tuesday at 5 p.m.; maps are posted online and paper copies are available.
Chairman Kurt Prenzler on May 11 presented a proposed Madison County Board district map that would reduce the number of districts from 29 to 25 and announced a public hearing for the plan.
Prenzler said the county contracted with the University of Illinois Springfield to produce the proposed map and that the contract and process emphasize minimizing bias and not breaking up minority neighborhoods. He explained that, because the 2020 Census data were delayed, the county relied on American Community Survey figures provided by county staff. "The contract I signed with the University of Illinois Springfield mentions a number of times no bias except do not break up minority neighborhoods," Prenzler said.
Dave Parizon, who put the map on the meeting projector, told board members the map and population details are posted on the county's website and that printed district detail is available from Cynthia Ellis after the meeting. When board member Ms. Mueller-Jones said the on-screen map was not readable and requested district population counts and a report, Parizon replied that the data are available online and that "it'll show you the population." Prenzler confirmed the same.
Prenzler also summarized the unusual timing for 2021 redistricting, noting the federal delay of complete 2020 Census data and the resulting reliance on American Community Survey estimates as the best available data for meeting statutory timelines. He said the county will make the proposed map available for at least six days for public review as required by state law and that a public hearing will be held Tuesday at 5 p.m. to gather input.
Why it matters: Changes to county board district lines affect local representation and can reshape which voters are grouped together; the chair highlighted avoiding breaking up minority neighborhoods as a guiding constraint in drawing the map.
Next steps: The county posted the proposed district maps on its website under Government > County Board > Proposed County Board Districts, and printed maps can be obtained from county staff. The board scheduled a public hearing at 5 p.m. on Tuesday to accept comments and further consider the proposal.