At press time, the Peoria City Council is expected to vote Feb. 22 on a redistricting map after a Feb. 8 public hearing that discussed so-called Version 2.3.

As reported in the February Community Word, out Jan. 26, the 2020 Census showed the City’s population shifting northward, requiring new district boundaries so each district would have about 22,000 people.

To do that, Version 2.3 sliced the current District 1, which runs along the Illinois River, so its riverside neighborhoods are divided into three, each extending northward to make up for population loss.

It also would more evenly distribute low-income residents into Districts 1-3.

However, it may dilute the influence of African-American Peorians since District 1’s new area extends northward. Nevertheless, the proposed District 1 would be 50.75% African-American adults, the City says.

Non-Hispanic Whites would be the majority in the other four districts: 59% in District 2, 56% in District 3, 67% in District 4, and 71% in District 5.

The largest Hispanic presence would be 9% in District 3; The biggest Asians share would be 16% in District 5.

Current District 1 Council-woman Denise Jackson proposed delaying the council’s Feb. 22 vote in order to continue discussion, but her motion was defeated 8-3.