Chicago City Council
The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago in Illinois. It consists of 50 alderpersons elected from 50 wards to serve four-year terms. The council is called into session regularly, usually monthly, to consider ordinances, orders, and resolutions whose subject matter includes code changes, utilities, taxes, and many other issues. The Chicago City Council Chambers are located in Chicago City Hall, as are the downtown offices of the individual alderpersons and staff.
Chicago City Council | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | Unicameral |
| History | |
| Founded | December 13, 1837 |
| Leadership | |
Mayor | |
Vice Mayor | |
President pro tempore | |
Floor Leader | Vacant since November 6, 2023 |
Assistant President pro tempore | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 50 |
Political groups |
|
Length of term | 4 years |
| Elections | |
| Two-round system | |
Last election | 2023 |
Next election | 2027 |
| Meeting place | |
| Council Chambers in Chicago City Hall | |
The presiding officer of the council is the Mayor of Chicago, who is usually non-voting, except in rare cases, such as to break a tie. The secretary is the City Clerk of Chicago. Both positions are city-wide elected offices. In the absence of the mayor, an alderperson elected to the position of President Pro Tempore serves as the presiding officer.
Originally established as the Common Council in 1837, it was renamed City Council in 1876. The Council assumed its modern form of 50 wards electing one alderperson each in 1923.