Lake County Gazette

The Mana A Mana Family Resource Center director wants immigrants' voices considered during the redistricting process.

Celeste Flores' comments came during the April 7 House Redistricting Committee hearing in Lake County.

"Empower the immigrant community, and without a doubt, the redistricting in our communities will have a long-lasting effect if it's done in a transparent and equitable way, which is what we want," Flores said.

Lawmakers have been holding redistricting hearings in various areas throughout Illinois. Redistricting is necessary after each decennial census to adjust for population changes within district boundaries for the Illinois House and Senate.

While calling for greater inclusion of immigrants in the process, Flores also asked that lawmakers educate those population groups about the process and its importance.

"We really have to break this down for them," Flores said. "I've seen the website, and although I am grateful there is some Spanish, I don't think it's enough," adding that in Lake and McHenry counties are people who speak other languages.

Though Spanish is the leading non-English language spoken in Illinois, people also speak Polish, Mandarin, Arabic and Italian, among others.

Flores also called on committee members to make redistricting maps publically so people can provide feedback.

"I think there needs to be a way to give community members time to see them, to give feedback before they are voted on," Flores said.

Illinois has 118 House and 59 Senate districts. The Democrats have the majority in both chambers.