MALDEF OPPOSES LATEST ILLINOIS LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING PLAN
GOVERNOR QUINN URGED NOT TO APPROVE PLAN THAT SPLITS LITTLE VILLAGE
Chicago, IL – After analyzing HB3760, the legislative redistricting map passed earlier today by the Illinois House, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) opposes the plan because it fractures communities of interest and weakens the voting strength of Latino neighborhoods. For example, the proposed Illinois plan unnecessarily splits Little Village, a community of interest that is maintained whole in MALDEF's proposed redistricting plan previously offered to the Legislature.
"We cannot support a map that splits one of the most important Latino communities in Chicago," stated Nina Perales, Vice President of Litigation. "In our proposed map, MALDEF kept Little Village together, created additional Latino majority districts and ensured the preservation of Black majority districts. MALDEF's proposed map demonstrates that the Legislature elevated incumbency protection over respect for the Latino community," continued Perales.
MALDEF will continue fighting for Latino voters with a map that creates more Latino majority districts and that keeps Little Village whole. To view the MALDEF plan and accompanying data, please visit http://www.maldef.org/redistricting .
Founded in 1968, MALDEF is the nation's leading Latino legal civil rights organization. Often described as the "law firm of the Latino community," MALDEF promotes social change through advocacy, communications, community education and litigation in the areas of education, employment, immigrant rights and political access. For more information on MALDEF, please visit: www.maldef.org.
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