City of Lincoln: New lines drawn to equalize population among the four wards after 2020 census

 

[August 17, 2022] 

Lincoln Aldermen have approved a shift in the borders of the four wards of the city in order to stay in compliance with state regulations regarding the population per ward in the city.

The shift in borders was required after the 2020 census indicated that the city has not only experienced a decrease in population, but also that the exodus has not been equal among the four wards of the city.

According to information presented by City Treasurer Chuck Conzo at the Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole on July 26, 2022, the 2020 census indicates that the overall population for the city has dropped from 14,656 to 13,307.

Furthermore, Conzo reported that within the four districts, the law required that the total population have no more than a 10 percent variance. With the new census the population per ward was not in balance as it should be.

According to the 2020 census the population per ward at the time of the census was as follows:

Ward 1	3,002
Ward 2	3,914
Ward 3	3,191
Ward 4	3,200
TOTAL	13,307

The difference between Ward 2 with the highest population and Ward 1 with the lowest far exceeds the 10 percent variance allowed.

Conzo said that a third part, the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission in Peoria had been retained to re-draw the city map. He said that the TCRPC was experienced at doing this type of work, and made it so that none of the elected officials within the city were involved in the changes that had to be made.

Conzo presented a new map to the council along with narrative on the changes and said that the city would need to pass an ordinance to implement the changes.

With the new map the populations per ward have been shifted as follows:
 

	2012 ward map	2020 census	2022 ward map
Ward 1	3,742	3,002	3,361
Ward 2	3,950	3,914	3,445
Ward 3	3,393	3,191	3,301
Ward 4	3,571	3,200	3,200
Total	14,656	13,307	13,307

During the discussion on July 26^th, Alderman Tony Zurkammer asked about the overall population and the possible change in the number of wards for the city.

Conzo and City Attorney John Hoblit said that there was little danger of a reduction in the number of wards in the foreseeable future.
 

At the 2010 census, the population of the city had dropped below 15,000 which forced the city to re-district from five wards to four.

Hoblit said that according to state regulations, the total population of the city would have to drop down to around 3,000 before the city would be forced to reduce the number of wards again.

At the Monday, August 15, 2022, voting session aldermen approved by unanimous vote the recommended changes and corresponding ordinance.

2012 map based on 2010 census

2022 map based on 2020 census

Visually, the most significant change is in the boundary between Ward 2 and Ward 3, with minor changes occurring in Ward 1 as well. Ward 4 was not impacted by the change.
 

The approved ordinance provides the written descriptions on the new boundaries.

Ward 1: All that portion of said City that lies within the following limits: Beginning at the intersection of Union Street and 7th street, then Westerly along 7th street to the intersection of North State Street, then Northerly along North State Street to 11th Street, then Westerly along 11th Street to North Jackson Street, then Northerly along North Jackson Street to 16th Street, then Westerly along 16th Street to the intersection of Adams Street, then Northerly along Adams Street to the intersection of Woodlawn Road, then Westerly along Woodlawn Road to North Jefferson Street, then Northerly along North Jefferson Street to the Corporate Limits, the Easterly along the Corporate Limit line to the intersection of the Canadian National Railroad right of way, then Southeasterly along the Canadian National Railroad right of way to the Intersection of the municipal right of way between North Logan Street and Sangamon Street, then Southwesterly along the municipal right of way to the intersection of Peoria Street, then Northwesterly along Peoria Street to its intersection with Union Street, then Southerly along Union Street to the point of beginning.

Ward 2: All that portion of said City that lies within the following limits: Beginning at the intersection Union Street and 7th Street, then Westerly along 7th street to the intersection of North State Street, then Northerly along North State Street to 11th Street, then Westerly along 11th Street to North Jackson Street, then Northerly along North Jackson Street to the intersection of 16th Street, then Westerly along 16th Street to the intersection of Adams Street, then Northerly along Adams Street to the intersection of Woodlawn Road, then Westerly along Woodlawn Road to the intersection of Jefferson Street, then Northerly along Jefferson Street to the Corporate Limit line, then generally Westerly and Southerly along the Corporate Limit line to the intersection of Lincoln Parkway and Broadwell Drive, then Easterly along the Corporate Limit line to the Union Pacific Railroad, then Northeasterly along the Union Pacific Railroad to the East/West Lincoln Township line, then Northerly to the point of beginning.

Ward 3: All that portion of said City that lies within the following limits: Beginning at the Intersection of Union Street and 7th street, then Northerly along Union Street to the intersection of Union Street and Peoria Street, then Southeasterly along Peoria Street to North Sangamon Street, then Southeasterly to Pekin Street, then Southeasterly along Pekin Street to North Butler Street,, then Northeasterly along North Butler Street to Tremont Street, then Southeasterly along Tremont street to Easterly end of Limit Street, then Northerly along Limit Street jogging slightly Northwesterly to Campus View Drive,, then Northerly along Campus View Drive to Route 10, then Easterly on Route 10 to the Corporate Limit line, then generally Southerly and Westerly along the Corporate Limit line to the Southeast corner of the Corporate Limits, then generally Westerly along the Corporate Limit Line to the Union Pacific Railroad, then Northeasterly along the Union Pacific Railroad to the East/West Lincoln Township line, then Northerly along the East/West Lincoln Township line to the point of beginning.

Ward 4: All that portion of said City that lies within the following limits: Beginning at the intersection of Tremont Street and the Easterly end of Limit Street, then Northerly along Limit Street jogging slightly Northwesterly to Campus View Drive, then Northerly along Campus View Drive to Route 10, then generally Northerly and Easterly along the Corporate Limit line to the Northeast corner of the Corporate Limits, then Westerly along the Corporate Limit Line to the intersection of the Canadian National Railroad right of way, then Southeasterly along the Canadian National Railroad right of way to the intersection of the Municipal right of way between North Logan Street and Sangamon Street, then Southwesterly along the Municipal right of way to Peoria Street, then Southeasterly along Peoria Street to Sangamon Street, then Southwesterly along Sangamon Street to Pekin Street, the Southeasterly along Pekin Street to North Butler Street, then Northeasterly along North Butler Street to Tremont Street, then Easterly along Tremont Street to the point of beginning.

The ward changes approved by the council will have no impact on aldermanic positions and will take effect immediately.

[Nila Smith]