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Q.
What is redistricting?
A. Redistricting refers to the process of redrawing political
boundaries. This usually takes place after the decennial census
and reapportionment. Redistricting does not affect the number
of legislators per district or state - but how those lines are
divided based on the latest reapportionment.
Q.
What is reapportionment?
A. Reapportionment is the process of reassigning the number
of seats within a legislative body. The best example of reapportionment
can be seen in the congressional reapportionment that takes place
every ten years after the census figures have been tabulated.
The U.S. Census Bureau determines how the 435 congressional seats
will be divided among the 50 states. States that gain population
will likely gain seats. States whose population has decreased
since the 1990 census may lose the number of seats. Based on the
2000 census results the Census Bureau determined that Illinois
will lose one of its 20 Congressional seats. Redistricting will
determine how the 19 remaining seats will be divided within Illinois.
Q.
Who determines the political boundaries?
A. The Illinois State Constitution gives the General Assembly
the responsibility for redrawing the Congressional and Legislative
political boundaries.
Q.
When do the lines change?
A. In Illinois the new Congressional, State Senate and State
Representative lines will be in place for the 2002 Primary Elections?
Q.
When will the process be completed?
A. October 5, 2001 is the last day for the Redistricting Commission
to file a redistricting plan with the Secretary of state approved
by at least five members. View
the redistricting timeline.
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