Harper v. City of Chicago Heights

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

NORDBERG, District Judge.

INTRODUCTION

The city of Chicago Heights, Illinois is governed by a mayor and four commissioners, each elected to four year terms by an at-large voting system. Plaintiffs have challenged the method of commissioner elections, arguing that it dilutes the voting strength of African-American voters, in violation of section three of the Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1982. 42 U.S.C. § 1973. Plaintiffs seek to replace the at-large voting system with single member districts, order new elections, and recover their costs and attorneys fees.

The…