The Illinois lawsuits all attack the at-large systems of electing local officials.

"The at-large system worked great a hundred years ago when everyone in town knew everyone else," he said.

The county argued that an at-large system of election was not inherently discriminatory.

Since 1970, 3 of the 41 members elected in the at-large system have been from racial minorities.

Politically active local residents again floated the idea of abolishing the at-large system.

County officials, who pointed out that voters approved the at-large system in a 1989 referendum, said they would fight the suit.

Under the at-large system, she would have had to try to marshal support from the supervisor and every other council member.

And he said that residents were better off under the at-large system because Council members making land-use decisions are protected from parochialism.

Some civil rights lawyers agree, saying whites can probably challenge at-large systems if they can meet the same standard of proof as other minorities.

Elections for city councils are held through either a ward system or at-large system, depending on the location.