Dear Neighbor:

Every 10 years following the national census, Illinois is required to redraw its congressional and legislative boundaries to reflect population changes. The task before the Legislature is a serious endeavor, as the mapmaking process will help determine representation in the General Assembly for the next 10 years. It is important for all Illinois residents and communities to have a chance to give their input and be heard.

This year's redistricting process strives to be more open than ever before. To foster an inclusive process, the Illinois House of Representatives has created a Special Committee on Redistricting that will conduct at least 15 public hearings, held in communities across the state, to hear directly from residents on how legislative boundaries should be drawn.

On Thursday, April 21, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., the House of Representatives will be hosting a public hearing of this committee at the Bilandic Building, located at 160 N. LaSalle, C600. These hearings are being held in compliance with the Redistricting Transparency and Public Participation Act and are a furtherance of Illinois House Democrats' commitment to redistricting requirements imposed by the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions and the federal and state Voting Rights Acts.

We would like to invite you to attend and offer your thoughts on the task of redrawing the district boundaries to fairly and accurately reflect the population changes we have undergone in the last 10 years. Your input is very important because, once they are drawn, these boundaries will be in effect for the next ten years.

For more information or to sign up to testify, please call (217) 782-4040. Please also share this information with other interested individuals and organizations.

Very truly yours,

Sara Feigenholtz
State Representative
12th District