Share this @internewscast.com
The deal was made possible after compromises last week that improved the boundary lines for numerous members of the Latino caucus who had been holding out in a fight for 15 Latino majority wards.
“We did our best job to get maximum seats possible. And the fact that we had to settle for 14 is, um, we didn’t get 15. We did our best,” said Latino Caucus Chair Ald. Gil Villegas of the 36th Ward.
WATCH: City Council members discuss new maps
The maps made history.
“I am able stand before you here and say we’re gonna have an Asian American ward next year, and that is an incredible thing,” said Ald. Nicole Lee of the 11th Ward.
Frustration was among the seven opponents.
“It’s not going to be easy for many neighborhoods for the next decade. It’s going to be a struggle,” said Ald. Ray Lopez of the 15th Ward.
Ald. Anthony Beale of the 9th Ward claimed he was locked out of the process of drawing his 9th ward boundaries.
“This is not a compromise. This is a back-room deal map,” said Beale.
Ald David Moore of the 17th Ward weighed in.
“So is it perfect? Hecky no, but was it backroom smoke deals and all of that? Not at all, you all,” said Moore.
Beale was also rebuked by the chair of the Black caucus.
“No sir you were not locked out, sir you sold out! You were not locked out,” said Black Caucus Chair Ald. Jason Ervin of the 28th Ward.
“Madam president, I am demanding an apology from the alderman of the 28th Ward,” Beale protested.
Aldermen calling for unity, saying it’s now time to move on.
“I think that there’s no permanent winners and no permanent loses in this, it’s just that we have to move forward with the City’s business,” said Rules Committee Chair Michelle Harris of the 8th Ward.
The real winners in all of this may be the taxpayers. This compromise map means the city can avoid having this fight go to referendum costing potentially millions of dollars.
Copyright © 2022 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
