Illinois's 1st congressional district, Congressional district in South Side Chicago and suburban Cook County, United States.
Illinois's 1st congressional district covers parts of Chicago's South Side and surrounding areas in Cook County, extending southwest to Joliet. The area combines densely populated city neighborhoods with less developed suburban communities.
The district was established in 1833 and made history in 1929 when Oscar Stanton De Priest was elected the first African American congressman of the 20th century. Since then, continuous African American representation has defined the region's political history.
The district shows a diverse population today, with neighborhoods shaped by African American traditions and community life. Local shops, churches, and gathering spaces reflect the long-standing presence and influence of these communities.
To find your congressional representative, check your district's website or a government portal by entering your address. This also helps you locate local office hours and where to go for assistance.
This district holds a remarkable record as the only continuously African American-represented congressional seat in the entire country since nearly a century ago. No other congressional district anywhere can claim such an unbroken history of this kind.
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