In February, the County Board created a reapportionment committee to review the 2020 Census data and to recommend a reapportionment (redistricting) plan for Lake County. Reapportionment was required starting on July 1, 1971 and takes place every 10 years. The redistricting process consists of redrawing district boundary lines based on the census’ decennial census (www.census.gov). Due to significant delays in obtaining the 2020 decennial census data from the U.S. Census Bureau, on June 17th, 2021 Governor Pritzker signed into law SB 825, which changes the date for counties to complete reapportionment to December 31, 2021 (previously July 1, 2021, or by the day after the first County Board meeting in July).

Currently, Lake County is divided into 19 single-member districts.

The Reapportionment (Redistricting) Process

• Reapportionment was required starting on July 1, 1971 and takes place every 10 years utilizing the most recent completed decennial census (www.census.gov).    
• The redistricting process consists of redrawing district boundary lines based on the census’ decennial census.

Reapportionment requirements are outlined in the Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/2-3003) and in the Voters Rights Act.

• Substantially equal in population (as close as practicable) so that each member of the county board represents the same number of inhabitants. (55 ILCS 5/2-3002)
• Contiguous and nearly compact as practicable
• Division of townships/municipalities only if necessary for district to be equal in population
• No dividing of voting precincts between 2 or more districts, as far as practicable

Reapportionment must be an honest and good faith effort and is completed using the most recent published decennial census (2010).   

Additionally, counties can use this time as an opportunity to make other changes to the government structure, including:

• The number of districts and if they are single member or multi member districts.
• Whether members are elected by district or at large.
  • Currently, 76% of Illinois counties elect their representatives by district, compared with 24% at large.
• Number of total board members.
  • Counties with a population less than 800,000 must consist of at least five board members, no more than 29 and no more than the size of the board on Oct. 2, 1969.
• How the County Board Chair is elected (elected County-wide or elected by County Board)
• Method of compensation for the Board (salary, per diem, combination of both) 

Who approves the maps?

• Final plan is approved by the County Board and filed with the County Clerk

When does the map need to be completed by?

• Due to significant delays in obtaining the 2020 decennial census data from the U.S. Census Bureau, on June 17th, 2021 Governor Pritzker signed into law SB 825, which changes the date for counties to complete reapportionment to December 31, 2021 (previously July 1, 2021, or by the day after the first County Board meeting in July).