McHenry County Board to move ahead with public hearing on redistricting proposal

The McHenry County Board last week decided it will move ahead with gathering public input on the redrawing of the County Board’s map.

It is a process required by the state of Illinois every 10 years after the U.S. census to ensure that representation is equal to population changes.

During the meeting, Chairman Mike Buehler presented members of the County Board with his proposed map redrawing the County Board’s districts.

It is comprised of nine, two-member districts, which officials said makes for a departure from the current structure of six, four-member districts that have been established since 1992.

The map, Buehler said, is a “hybrid of many maps.”

Buehler said his map draws upon what County Board member Michael Vijuk presented and what was discussed at Administrative Services Committee and what County Board member Joe Gottemoller presented, along with discussions with the consultant that was hired by the county.

“All avenues were looked at, discussed among ourselves,” Buehler said.

Typically, there is a 30-day review period before the County Board can hold a public hearing. Officials last week decided to waive that requirement.

The County Board in 2018 voted to reduce its size from 24 to 18, following a 2016 advisory referendum that was supported in a three-to-one margin, officials said. All County Board seats will be up for election in 2022.

A special session of the McHenry County Board’s Committee of the Whole is expected to weigh in on the redistricting proposal.

The meeting is set for 9 a.m. Thursday at the County Administration Building.

Copies of the proposed redistricting maps are available online at mchenrycountyil.gov.