To the Editor:
“25 or 6 to 4” was a popular song by the rock group Chicago in 1970.
Every 10 years political districts are re-apportioned and this year the song before the Madison County board might be “29 or 25 or x?”
Currently, there are 29 board members, the maximum allowed by state law. Only three other counties have 29 —LaSalle, Sangamon and St. Clair.
On May 11, I presented a new map of 25 districts. Why 25?
“Benchmarking” other counties seemed to suggest the number 20.
Counties larger than Madison — Cook (17), DuPage (18), Lake (21), Will (26), Kane (24), McHenry (24) and Winnebago (20).
Counties smaller than Madison — St. Clair (29), Champaign (22), Sangamon (29), Peoria (18) and McLean (20).
During the past several decades, county boards reduced their size. This year, the trend continues in several counties.
Based on the data, I went to the University of Illinois -Springfield Geography Department to draw two “no bias” maps, one with 25 districts and another with 20.
I wanted to give the board a choice, but the budget would only allow one map ($4,500). Therefore, I chose 25.
There will be a public hearing at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The public will be able to ask questions or make comments.
On Wednesday, the county board will vote on my proposed map.
Kurt Prenzler, Madison County Chairman