Proposed Chicago ward remap could add 3 Latino seats on council

2 African-American aldermen, 1 white alderman could be in jeopardy, sources say

By Hal Dardick and John Byrne, Chicago Tribune reporters

A new Chicago ward map taking shape would add three more Latino wards, potentially at the expense of two African-African aldermen and one white alderman, sources familiar with the blueprint said Wednesday.

The proposal is still evolving and no Chicago City Council map has been released yet. Aldermen continue to meet behind closed doors trying to negotiate a compromise on the 50 ward boundaries that would avoid both a complicated referendum in March and a costly legal battle that could last years.

Sources familiar with the process said Ald. Richard Mell, 33rd, chairman of the City Council Rules Committee, met Wednesday with representatives of the Latino Caucus, who were generally pleased with the way the map was taking shape.