Every 10 years, following the results of the census, the City is required to review the distribution of population in each of the wards and, if necessary, revise the ward boundaries to ensure the population is reasonably evenly distributed.  Following the 2020 Census, the City learned that the variance between the First Ward and Fifth Ward exceeded legal limits.  At the City Council meeting on May 2, 2022, the City Council adopted an ordinance to adjust the boundaries between the First Ward and Fifth Ward to more evenly distribute City residents.  No other changes were made to the City’s ward map. The specific changes are described below.  Generally, the boundary which was formerly along Elm Street between Northwest Highway and Washington Avenue now runs southeast along Northwest Highway and east on Touhy to Washington Avenue.  The map becomes official once Cook County creates new voting precincts corresponding to the new ward boundaries.  The first election affected by this change is in April 2023. 

Residents who live in the First or Fifth Wards interested in seeing if or how they are impacted by the change and verify the Ward they live in are encouraged to view the City’s online ward map.  The current Council members impacted by this amendment are John Moran (First Ward) and Charlie Melidosian (Fifth Ward).

FIRST WARD

The First Ward is that portion of the City as now established, or from time to time hereafter established, commencing at the intersection of Oriole and Oakton, extending west along the centerline of Oakton Street to the intersection with Cumberland Avenue, then north along the centerline of Cumberland to the northern territorial boundary of the City, then west along said northern territorial boundary of the City to the centerline of Western Avenue, then south down the centerline of Western to the intersection with the centerline of Lahon Avenue, east along the centerline of Lahon to the intersection of Greenwood Avenue, then south down the centerline of Greenwood to the centerline of the Chicago & North Western Railroad right-of-way, then southeast to the centerline of Elm Street extended, then east along the centerline of Elm to the intersection of Northwest Highway, thence southeast along the centerline of Northwest Highway to the intersection of Touhy Avenue, thence east along the centerline of Touhy Avenue to the intersection of Washington Avenue, thence north along the centerline of Washington Avenue the intersection of Elm Street, thence east along the centerline of Elm Street to the eastern territorial boundary of the City, then north along said territorial boundary of the City to the point of beginning.

FIFTH WARD

The Fifth Ward is that portion of the City as now established, or from time to time hereafter established, commencing at the intersection of the Chicago and North Western Railroad right-of-way and Elm Street extended, then southeast along the railroad right-of-way to the centerline of Cumberland Avenue, then south along the centerline of Cumberland to the centerline of Crescent Avenue, then west along the centerline of Crescent to the centerline of Greenwood, then south on the centerline of Greenwood to the centerline of Gillick Avenue, then east along the centerline of Gillick to the centerline of Cumberland Avenue, then south along the centerline of Cumberland to the centerline of Albion Avenue, then east along the centerline of Albion to the eastern territorial boundary of the City, then north along said territorial boundary to the intersection of the centerline of Elm Street, then west along the centerline of Elm to the intersection of Washington Avenue, thence south along the centerline of Washington Avenue to the intersection of Touhy Avenue, thence wests along the centerline of Touhy Avenue to the intersection of Northwest Highway, thence northwest along the centerline of Northwest Highway to the intersection of Elm Street, thence west along the center line of Elm Street to the point of beginning.

Residents who have questions regarding the amendment or who their Council representative is, can contact the City Clerk Sal Raspanti at (847) 318-5204.