Chinatown, Bridgeport and McKinley Park – home to much of the city’s Chinese-descended and immigrant populations – are politically fragmented, split between four city wards, four state representative districts, three state senate districts and three U.S. congressional districts.

C.W. Chan, chair of the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, said an expanding Chinese-American community now includes 59 contiguous precincts on the city’s Near South Side.

But while Chan said community organizing efforts had increased the number of registered voters in this zone from 2,000 to 6,000 over the past 10 years, the political power of these voters has been diluted by redistricting and elected officials can’t be held accountable.

It’s a problem that Asian-American organizations are seeking to address in Springfield, where state legislators are discussing changes to how political districts in Illinois are drawn.

“We’re scattered all over the place,” Chan said. “We would like all of these voters to be included in the same district.”

“Any problem that we face, we have to go to multiple legislators,” he said.

He cited an overcrowded public library, a shortage of recreational facilities and long waiting lists for subsidized housing as community concerns that had been neglected by elected officials.

Community representatives have testified in Springfield before the State Senate Redistricting Committee, which recently passed a measure that would overhaul how legislative districts are drawn in Illinois. Language added in the bill calls redrawing districts to allow “racial and language minorities who constitute less than a voting-age majority of a district with an opportunity to control or substantially influence the outcome of an election,” among other provisions.

The full Senate approved the amendment, which was sponsored by State Sen. Kwame Raoul.

Ami Gandhi, legal director of the Asian American Institute, said the new Senate measure “is definitely a step in the right direction for minority voting rights.”

Gandhi said the institute is advocating for redistricting reforms that would include greater protection for minority communities that make up less than 50 percent of an area to elect the candidate of their choice.

The institute would also like to see more hearings about proposed maps to allow more community input on the redistricting process, Gandhi said. Removing a requirement that two state house districts be nested in a senate district would give map drawers greater flexibility to reflect the needs of communities, she said.

Gandhi said the institute was working with non-Asian-American communities to ensure that redistricting changes that would benefit Asian-Americans would not harm other groups.

Still, she said, Asian-American communities may have different needs than other groups who share political districts, citing the need for multilingual and culturally relevant social services as an example.

Chan said a meeting with Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was planned to encourage House passage.

Chan said his goal was to help the legislature know about his community’s situation: “Recognizing the problem is the first step to rectifying it.”

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By Concerned Citizen of Chinatown from Chinatown/Armour Square
Posted: 07/12/2010 8:35 PM

I can see Chinese (Asian) Community getting a Aldermanic Ward. The numbers are there and it is time. I remembered when Mayor Harold Washington took the City Council (Wars) to Federal Court over the redistricting of some of the wards that hamper the voting strength of minorities. From that he help created 3 additional Hispanics wards, one of them was the 25th, Vito Marzullo's old ward, and the 26th Ward, Luis Guttierez, now he is a US Congressman. Anything is possible. Register and vote often.

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By Bronze from NEar South
Posted: 05/22/2010 4:11 PM

Hey Roas, you may want to review the citizenship information again, where you learned about "E pluribus unum", which means "Out of many, one", Latin deravation. The desire to create side individual race serving government officials like you are proposing, and like they do in Pilson flies in the face of American ideology and assimilation goals. You want China, go to China. You want America, stay in America.

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By CSL from South Loop
Posted: 05/08/2010 11:55 PM

CIP, the reason things are getting done in the South Loop is most of it is paid for from the Near South TIF, where the funds are supposed to go into the schools, parks, infrastructure. The residents are paying for these improvements. You guys have no one to blame but yourselves and the Chinatown Business council for your Alderman turning back money from some of the Chinatown TIF funds that did not get put to use.

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By Sojo from South Loop
Posted: 05/07/2010 6:55 PM

RZ you think it's so bad, try comparing your area to the majority of the city away from the lakefront and the inner ring suburbs. All areas around Chinatown are undergoing gentrification. You complain about the lack of amenities like health clubs just wait until your area is fully gentrified and people will be complaining that they can’t afford to live there anymore or are unwilling to pay the higher taxes. See Pilsen is not for Sale at pilsenalliance.org for an example of this reverse racism.

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By CIP from South Loop
Posted: 05/06/2010 2:56 PM

City needs to invest in the infrustructure and improvement in these areas. Look at City's 2010-2014 Capital Improvement draft. Numerous improvement are planned for the numerous neighborhoods. South loop, among others, has been blessed in recent years and has funds allocated for the next 5yrs. Chinatown & Bridgeport, on the other side, have next to nothing planned or allocated. The only minor library imporvement for that stretch is concrete replacement is for the McKinley Park branch.

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By RZ from South Loop
Posted: 05/05/2010 2:02 PM

This is NOT about discrimination - that is the part I never agreed. Sorry if any miscommunication made you think that's part of my topic. If we were stuck in the trench of that, it would be this country backstepping a few decades. I am just saying that our land, our star-spangled banner, is where it/what connects people from different cultures and backgrounds. I believe this is one huge and most important advantage we have over other countries, while other cntries are forward in many other thgs

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By RZ from South Loop
Posted: 05/05/2010 1:54 PM

I understand natually most of us moderately wealthy are more conservative, and do not want to make too much social benefit accessible to the less established neighborhood. Still, they too got the heart, the will and the right attitude to the pursuit of happiness. It has slowly been and will continue to be, more minorities participating in their democracy - it is a meaningful demonstration of their commmitment to this country and we should applaud their efforts. Long road, positive social change.

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By RZ from South Loop
Posted: 05/05/2010 1:46 PM

When the city starts to invest in these areas which it should, all other needed amenities will follow. Go to visit Chinatown library - it's not only dark and small, it smells funky. That is not a management issue, as I know for sure most public services in Chinatown are well managed - such as post office - alot better than the ones in other areas. The issue is a new library is critically needed.

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By RZ from South Loop
Posted: 05/05/2010 1:41 PM

Similar to SouthLoop changed from ghetto to the great vibrant, Bridgeport has gone huge change from gunshots all the time to the most sound stable neighborhood, thanks to new settlers incl Chinese families. Houses taken care of, family having values, people with good moral character. Tell me it is not a reflection of american dream. Tell me after these people fulfilled their responsibilities as good residents and citizens, they are not given a fair chance of decent public service such as librar

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By CSL from South Loop
Posted: 05/04/2010 7:23 PM

Rosa, how is discrimination going to bring a health club? The US still has freemarket (although Obama is changing that). There are no health club because the demand is not there, or the person with fortitude has not built one. Go invest and open one yourself...it is a free country. Why does there need to be a Chinese politician to make this happen? Representatives should look out for the benefit of all consituants, not pick them based on ethnicity. This smells of racism and discrimination.

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By Rosa Zhao from South Loop
Posted: 05/04/2010 4:47 PM

Similar to South Loop changed from ghetto to the great vibrant neighborhood, Bridgeport has gone through huge change in the last 15 yrs - from gunshots all the time to the most sound stable neighborhood. Thanks to the influx of many new settlers incl. Chinese families. Houses taken care of, family have values and people with moral character. Tell me this doesn't reflect the American dream. Tell me when these immignts and descdts fulfill all the requirements of good residents, they are not given

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By RZ from South Loop
Posted: 05/04/2010 4:40 PM

The block I live is a typical Chicago block which is diverse and almost all groups evenly distributed, and everybody getting along. That's how I love the city as. Still, Bridgeport has their demographics and their needs. The AAI legal director already said that they'd work with non-Asian-American communities to ensure that redistricting changes that would benefit Asian-Americans would not harm other groups. It is very fair - if there is resistance, I don't see why.

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By RZ from South Loop
Posted: 05/04/2010 4:06 PM

I live at the border of South Loop and my numerous friends live in South Loop. But I do know Chinatown needs a new libary- anyone who has been there knows. It is not only dark and small, it smells really bad. I do not think that is a management issue - as I know for sure most public services in Chinatown are very well managed such as post office - alot better than those in other areas. A new library is critically needed. To resolve the disputes, you need to go to these area and investigate 1st.

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By Rosa Zhao from South Loop
Posted: 05/04/2010 3:27 PM

Other issues i.e. communities need more police presence to keep them safe. Who mentioned about ethnic gangs killing each other really don't know Chinatown & Bridgeport. Chinese descedended accepted to live in Bridgeport all these years & Bridgeport a sound stable community is all because they are very peace making people. Older generation lived in Chinatown all their live. Their next generations are mostly living and exploring all othegreat neiborhoods now. Still do not ignore communities need.

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By Rosa Zhao from Near South Side
Posted: 05/04/2010 3:13 PM

It is as simple as people need to be represented faily. Areas with many people need a stronger voice. And the representatives need to tend to reflect the views and needs of their districts. They need to be close to their constituents, public opioin, and aware of local and community concern. Amont many things, let's just pick gym for example. There are LA Fitness, XSports, FFC, Bally & etc in South Loop. Give me at least one gym for Chinatown, Bridgeport and McKinley Park. It is just that simple

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By Marinauser from South Loop
Posted: 05/02/2010 7:59 PM

So the answer is always more and more gerrymandering? How well has that worked since 1968? African americans and other groups through gerrymandering have ensured ethnic representation. I don't see where that has turned them into economic powerhouses or brought great housing, jobs or housing. It has brought them the same corrupt politicians and thieves as the white districts. Why can only a representative of the same ethnic group deal with the issues in that group?

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By B. Ramos from South Loop
Posted: 05/01/2010 10:57 PM

Marinauser, maybe you should look up the word "gerrymandering" and you'll learn that this is a common practice not just in Chicago, but in the entire US. Unfortunately, redistricting Chinatown as a single entity maybe the only option available to address its needs as a community. Ethnicity in politics seems to be just between blacks, blacks, and hispanics. You ask how the "enclave" is doing? Well, it's pumping out millions of tax dollars from businesses, tourists, and residents.

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By Marinauser from South Loop
Posted: 04/30/2010 2:17 PM

Isn't this one of the biggest problems in Chicago - every racial group, minority, majority or how ever else you want to classify people want their own insular governement to represent them. Until the residents of this city start to think of themselves as Chicagoans out for the best for Chicago instead of what can they get for their own ethnic group, nothing will improve. How has living in your own little enclave worked so far - nothing but ethnic gangs killing each other.

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By Rosa Zhao from Chicago
Posted: 04/30/2010 1:33 PM

Chinatown is our beloved home turf, but it is jammed and there is no more space. There are so Chinese americans living in near Chinatown areas such as Bridgeport & McKinley Park now. How long are these areas going to remain terra incognita for Chinese Americans residents who are one of the major groups living here? As the needs and issues becoming recognized and addressed, our city is benefited and made better. Also Asian community leaders have done so much work and given so much time to th city

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By Rosa Zhao from Support - to Do the Right Thing for Chinese Americ
Posted: 04/30/2010 1:23 PM

Anyone who know the area would know the issues and needs. My family knows it, my friends living here know it, just as CW Chan & W. Wong described. We live here- love, enjoy and appreciate our wonderful city and our community. But there are problems that need to be rectified. We need a stable, enduring community, &we need a decent environment and amenities such as an updated library. It's great Asians have begun to recognize the need to organize if they are to avoid becoming political casualty.

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By FGFM from Uptown Barber Shop
Posted: 04/29/2010 10:45 AM

I'm not sure about the small Chinatown library branch being indicative of racism, but rents on the order of $40/sq ft are being paid for that little space. This being the case I'd support a new library being built over by Cermak and State with a focus on Chinese literature, cross language instruction, etc., along with some parking.

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By Ancient Chinese Secret from South Loop
Posted: 04/29/2010 8:28 AM

My translation: 'we would like permission to not deal with non-Asian politicians, residents, businesses, or inferior races. We would like to promote a non-inclusive group looking out only for the rights of Asians and adopting Chinese policies to eliminate the freedom for all and the right for the community to elect officials with specified race and ethnicity' Insert Caucasian where is says Asian/Chinese and tell us how that would play out. Obama & Holder would be on a plane to Chicago.

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By William Wong from Chinatown
Posted: 04/28/2010 11:50 PM

Absolutely! Chinatown needs redistricting. We are so cut up our votes and voice don\'t count. All our politicans, Solis, Dunkin, Hunter, take us for granted. They are only in chinatown during election time or parades. What have they done for Chinatown? Have you seen Chinatown library? it\'s so crappy and dirty and overcrowded. compared to pilsen, i say it\'s racist. the politicians treat us chinese like crap and think they can get away with it. I\'m glad the community is fighting back!