What Chicago is talking about this week:
It's ward redistricting time.
Which in and of itself is a standard political process to adjust for population changes.
But in Chicago -- it's a racially tinged conversation pitting groups against each other in an attempt to wield aldermanic power. With the burden of being one of the top three segregated cities as of a 2011 report (trailing NYC and Milwaukee), we're now in the midst of fighting over how to redraw maps that account for a loss of 181,000 African Americans in the last 10 years (there are currently 19 predominantly African American wards) and a growth of 25,000 Hispanics (who now have 10 predominantly Latino wards and suggest that they should have closer to 14). The map is due December 1st ... so an unhappy Thanksgiving is ahead for all of those with "skin in the game" -- skin of any color.
For a purportedly race-blind take on the issue, see the Pro Bono Thinking Society's suggested solution (that's a foundation that offers free thinking to those in need -- I kid you not -- that's my new dream job)!
FREE THINKING FOR THOSE IN NEED:
http://www.probonothinking.org/new-wards-of-chicago/
THE BURDEN WE BEAR IN THIS CITY:
http://legallysociable.com/2011/04/04/chicago-named-3rd-most-segregated-city-in-the-country/
DRAMA DUE THIS DECEMBER:
http://timeoutchicago.com/things-to-do/this-week-in-chicago/15023005/chicago-ward-remap-drama
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