Oak Forest proposed ward remap would mean changes in representation for some residents

A proposed ward remap in Oak Forest would mean changes for some voters, being moved from their wards and aldermanic representation on the City Council.

The changes come as the city has to realign wards based on the most recent U.S. Census numbers, according to Mayor Hank Kuspa.

Census data shows the city’s 2020 population was approximately 27,300, while the 2010 census recorded just under 28,000 residents.

The population changes don’t affect the city unilaterally as far as voting districts, and the ward boundaries are meant to ensure equal representation of residents among the city’s seven wards, Kuspa said.

The plan is to have each of the city’s seven wards represent about 4,000 of Oak Forest’s total population, and a recent analysis showed Wards 1, 2, 5 and 7 are over that goal while Wards 3, 4, and 6 are under the ideal number.

An analysis showed the 1st Ward at more than 23% of the target for representation, the 7th Ward at about 14% above, the 2nd Ward about 7% above and the 5th Ward at 5%.

Ward 6 was 17% below the ideal number, the 4th Ward a bit more than 16% below and the 3rd Ward under by about 13%, according to the city.

A proposed remap could be approved by the City Council next month, and a public hearing held Feb. 13 was attended by a handful of residents, according to Kuspa.

Under the proposed ward map, a portion of the city’s 1st Ward would move into the 2nd Ward, while three pieces of the 2nd Ward would be sectioned off into Wards 3, 4 and 6. A part of the 2nd Ward would become part of the 4th Ward, according to the map.

Some pieces of the 5th Ward would be absorbed into the 2nd Ward, while a section of the 7th Ward would become part of the 5th. A part of the 6th Ward would move within the boundaries of the 4th Ward, according to the new map.

The changes would take effect with the city election in 2025, where representatives for the 2nd, 4th and 6th wards are up along with the mayor and city clerk. Terms for alderpersons are staggered.

Kuspa said that some of the changes “are shifting a (ward) a street or two over to balance the new wards.”

“The map changes are minor,” he said “This is not a major revamp in any way.”