The

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 gaveled into session regularly, usually mont ...

assumed its modern form on April 16, 1923, with fifty wards each electing one alderman. Here is a list of the people who have served as an alderman since that time. Since its incorporation as a city in 1837 Chicago had been divided into wards whose number varied but which were almost always entitled to two aldermen. In the early 20th century it was decided that reducing the number of aldermen to a ward to one would be a cost-saving measure, and an ordinance to that effect was passed in 1920, taking effect in 1923.

Aldermanic elections in Chicago The City of Chicago has held elections to its City Council since its incorporation in 1837. Elections were held annually from 1837 through 1921, biennially from 1923 through 1933, and quadrennially starting in 1935. From 1851 through 1922 the Coun ...

have been formally nonpartisan since 1920. Nevertheless, many aldermen have had, and continue to have, ''de facto'' partisan affiliations that are reflected in this list. This list is organized by which side of the

Chicago River The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of that runs through the city of Chicago, including its center (the Chicago Loop). Though not especially long, the river is notable because it is one of the reasons for ...

the wards were on as of 1923. Numbering the wards such that those on the South Side received the first numbers, followed by in order the West and North sides was a tradition that had dated to the City's founding and division into wards in 1837. Incumbent aldermen who started a new term in 1923 are reckoned as having started their term in 1923 regardless of whenever they actually started holding office, which is noted in the "Notes" column.

History

Chicago was incorporated in 1837 and initially comprised six wards.

South Side (Wards 1–19)

1st Ward

Originally covering the

Loop Loop or LOOP may refer to: Brands and enterprises * Loop (mobile), a Bulgarian virtual network operator and co-founder of Loop Live * Loop, clothing, a company founded by Carlos Vasquez in the 1990s and worn by Digable Planets * Loop Mobile, an ...

, Near South Side, and the northern part of

Armour Square Armour Square is a Chicago neighborhood on the city's South Side, as well as a larger, officially defined community area, which also includes Chinatown and the CHA Wentworth Gardens housing project. Armour Square is bordered by Bridgeport to t ...

, this ward was significantly moved to its current location in 1993 to help stymie corruption.

2nd Ward

Originally covering

Douglas Douglas may refer to: People * Douglas (given name) * Douglas (surname) Animals *Douglas (parrot), macaw that starred as the parrot ''Rosalinda'' in Pippi Longstocking *Douglas the camel, a camel in the Confederate Army in the American Civil W ...

and its immediate surroundings, this ward has drastically moved northward to its current location across the Near North Side and West Town.

3rd Ward

4th Ward

5th Ward

*Charles S. Eaton (Republican) *Leonard J. Grossman *Charles S. Eaton (Republican) *Irving J. Schreiber *James J. Cusack Jr. (Democratic) *Paul H. Douglas *Bertram B. Moss *

Robert E. Merriam Robert Edward Merriam (October 2, 1918 – 1988) was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Charles Edward Merriam, Charles E. Merriam, and earned an MA degree from the University of Chicago in 1940. From 1942 to 1964, Merriam was a captain ...

* Leon Despres *Ross Lathrop *Lawrence Bloom *Barbara Holt * Leslie Hairston

6th Ward

*Guy Guernsey *John F. Healy (Democratic) *Patrick Sheridan Smith *Francis J. Hogan *David R. Muir *Sydney A. Jones Jr. *Robert H. Miller *A. A. Rayner Jr. * Eugene Sawyer *John O. Steele * Freddrenna Lyle * Roderick Sawyer

7th Ward

*Ross A. Woodhull *Clement A. Nance *Barnet Hodes *Thomas J. Daley (Democratic) *Nicholas J. Bohling (Republican) *Robert S. Wilinski *Gerald E. Jones *Robert S. Wilinski *Joseph G. Bertrand *

William Beavers William M. Beavers (born February 21, 1935) is a former Democratic politician from Illinois, US. He is a former Chicago alderman and former County Commissioner for the 4th district of Cook County, Illinois, which encompasses part of Chicago's So ...

*Darcel Beavers * Sandi Jackson * Natashia Holmes *

Gregory Mitchell Gregory Mitchell is the current alderman of Chicago's 7th ward. He took office in 2015 with 57% of the vote. He has a degree from Grambling State University. Aldermanic career Mitchell was first elected alderman in 2015, unseating incumbent Nata ...

8th Ward

William D. Meyering William D. Meyering was an American politician who served as Cook County sheriff, Chicago alderman, and chief probation officer of Cook County. He was well-decorated for his service in the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. Servi ...

(Democratic) *

David L. Sutton David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...

(Democratic) *Michael F. Mulcahy *Roy E. Olin *Einar Johnson *James A. Condon * William Cousins Jr. *Marian Humes *Keith Caldwell *Lorraine L. Dixon * Todd Stroger *

Michelle A. Harris Michelle A. Harris (born December 13, 1961) is an American politician who is the alderman of Chicago's 8th ward and the chair of the Chicago City Council's rules committee. Early life and education Harris was raised on the south side of Chicago w ...

9th Ward

*Sheldon M. Govier *Arthur G. Lindell (Republican) *Reginald DuBois *Dominic J. Lupo *Alexander A. Adduci * Robert Shaw *Perry H. Hutchinson *Robert Shaw *

Anthony Beale Anthony A. Beale (born October 22, 1967) is an American politician and the alderman of the 9th ward of the City of Chicago, Illinois United States. Beale is noted as having been one of the youngest members to serve as elected official on the Cit ...

10th Ward

*Ernest M. Cross (Republican) *

William A. Rowan William A. Rowan (November 24, 1882 – May 31, 1961) of Chicago was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois from 1943 to 1947. He previously served as a member of the Chicago City Council The Chicago City C ...

(Democratic) *William J. Pieczynski *Emil V. Pacini *John J. Buchanan * Edward Vrdolyak *Victor Vrdolyak *John J. Buchanan * John Pope *

Susie Sadlowski Garza Susan Sadlowski Garza is a member of the Chicago City Council serving as Alderman for the 10th ward. The 10th ward is located on Chicago's southeast side and includes East Side, Hegewisch, Jeffrey Manor, South Chicago and South Deering. She ...

11th Ward

*Timothy A. Hogan *John P. Wilson *Thomas A. Doyle (Democratic) *Hugh B. Connelly *John F. Wall *Stanley J. Nowakowski *Matthew J. Danaher * Michael Anthony Bilandic *Patrick M. Huels *

James Balcer James A. Balcer (born June 24, 1950) is a former alderman of the 11th Ward of the City of Chicagomap. A member of the Democratic Party, he was appointed to the Chicago City Council by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1997. In May 2015, he was succeeded ...

* Patrick Daley Thompson *

Nicole Lee (politician) Nicole T. Lee (born ) is an American politician in Chicago, Illinois. She is a member of the Chicago City Council as the alderwoman for the 11th ward, which includes portions of Bridgeport, New City, and Chinatown. She took office in March 2022, ...

12th Ward

*Ernest J. Kunstmann (Republican) *Bryan Hartnett (Democratic) *Benjamin J. Zintak *Bryan Hartnett * Edmund J. Kucharski *Arthur V. Zelezinski *

Donald T. Swinarski Donald T. Swinarski (February 6, 1935 – May 29, 2006) was an American businessman and politician. Swinarski was born in Chicago, Illinois. He went to Morgan Park Academy and Oceanside Carlsbad College. He graduated from Knox College and was ...

*George A. Kwak *Aloysius Majerczyk *Mark J. Fary *Ray Frias *

George Cardenas George A. Cardenas (born October 9, 1964) was Alderman of the 12th Ward of the City of Chicago. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected to his first term on the Chicago City Council in 2003. He was elected commissioner of the 1st dis ...

13th Ward

*Joseph B. McDonough *Thomas A. Doyle *John E. Egan (Democratic) *Michael P. Hogan *John E. Egan *David W. Healy *Casamir J. Staszcuk *John S. Madrzyk * Frank Olivo * Marty Quinn

14th Ward

15th Ward

*Thomas F. Byrne *James F. Kovarik (Democratic) *Edward F. Vyzral *Frank Micek *Joseph J. Krska *Francis X. Lawlor *Kenneth B. Jaksy *Frank J. Brady *Marlene C. Carter *Virgil E. Jones * Theodore Thomas * Toni Foulkes * Raymond Lopez

16th Ward

*Terence Moran (Democratic) *John S. Boyle *Paul M. Sheridan Sr. *Paul M. Sheridan Jr. *

Anna Langford } Anna R. Langford (née Riggs; October 27, 1917 – September 17, 2008) was an American politician, civil rights activist, and lawyer who served on the Chicago City Council in Chicago, Illinois. Langford became the first African American woman e ...

*Eloise Barden *

* Shirley Coleman *JoAnn Thompson * Toni Foulkes *

Stephanie Coleman Stephanie D. Coleman (born April 13, 1988) is a Chicago politician. Coleman is the current alderman of Chicago's 16th ward, taking office as a member of the Chicago City Council in May 2019. She defeated incumbent alderman Toni Foulkes in the 201 ...

(2019–present)

17th Ward

*John H. Lyle (Republican) *Robert E. Barbee *James G. Coyle *

Frank J. Corr Frank J. Corr (January 12, 1877 – June 3, 1934) was an American politician. Corr served as the 45th mayor of Chicago, Illinois. Corr's term was as acting mayor from March 15, 1933, following the assassination of Anton Cermak until April 8, ...

(Democratic) *William T. Murphy *Arthur A. Slight *

Charles Chew Charles Chew, Jr. (October 9, 1922 – July 3, 1986) was an American politician in Illinois. He served in the Illinois Senate from 1967-1986. Born in Greenville, Mississippi, Chew served in the United States Navy during World War II. He went ...

*William H. Shannon *Tyrone McFolling *Allan Streeter * Terry Peterson * Latasha Thomas *

David H. Moore David H. Moore is an American politician and member of the Chicago City Council serving as alderman for the 17th ward since May 18, 2015. The 17th ward includes portions of Auburn Gresham, Englewood, Chicago Lawn, Marquette Park and West En ...

18th Ward

*Patrick F. Ryan *Walter W. Morris *Harry E. Perry (Democratic) *Bernard J. O'Hallaren *Thomas J. Corcoran *Frank J. McGrath *James C. Murray *Edward J. Hines *Robert T. Kellam * Thomas W. Murphy *Lona Lane *

Derrick Curtis Derrick G. Curtis is an American politician who has served as the alderman of Chicago's 18th ward since 2015. He became the Democratic committeeman of the ward in 2011 after Lona Lane stepped down from that position. Curtis had previously been t ...

19th Ward

West Side (Wards 20–41)

20th Ward

*Henry L. Fick *A.J. Prignano * William V. Pacelli (Republican) *Anthony Pistilli *Kenneth E. Campbell *Clifford P. Kelley *Ernest Jones *

Arenda Troutman Arenda Iris Troutman (born September 29, 1957) is an American former politician who ran as a member of the Democratic Party. Troutman served as alderman of Chicago, Illinois 20th Ward from April 1990 until February 2007. Troutman was appointed to ...

* Willie Cochran * Jeanette Taylor

21st Ward

*Dennis A. Horan *John J. Lagodney (Democratic) *Joseph F. Ropa * Charles S. Bonk *Samuel Yaksic * Wilson Frost, Democratic *

Bennett Stewart Bennett McVey Stewart (August 6, 1912 – April 26, 1988) was an American politician who as a part of the Democratic party served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois from January 3, 1979 until January 3, 1981. Biography Early life and e ...

, Democratic *Niles Sherman *Jesse J. Evans *Leonard DeVille * Howard Brookins Jr.

22nd Ward

*Joseph Cepak *Henry Sonnenschein (Democratic) *Otto F. Janousek *Frank D. Stemberk * Jesús "Chuy" García * Ricardo Muñoz * Michael D. Rodriguez

23rd Ward

*Joseph O. Kostner *John Toman (Democratic) *Joseph Kacena Jr. *George J. Tourek *Frank J. Kuta *Joseph Potempa *

Bill Lipinski William Oliver Lipinski (born December 22, 1937) is an American politician and lobbyist who was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 2005, representing a district in Chicago. Life and career Pre-congr ...

*William F. Krystyniak *James Laski *

Michael R. Zalewski Michael R. Zalewski (born July 26, 1954) was alderman of the 23rd ward of the City of Chicago from May 1995 to his retirement on May 31, 2018. At the time of his retirement from the Chicago City Council, Zalewski served on five committees: Avia ...

Silvana Tabares Silvana Tabares (born January 7, 1979) is a member of the Chicago City Council from the 23rd ward. Prior to her June 15, 2018 appointment to the City Council, she had served in the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 21st district ...

24th Ward

Jacob Arvey Jacob M. Arvey (November 3, 1895 – August 25, 1977) was an influential Chicago political leader from the Depression era until the mid-1950s. He may be best known for his efforts to end corruption in the Chicago Democratic organization, and ...

(Democratic) *Fred Fischman *Louis London *Sidney D. Deutsch *

Benjamin F. Lewis Benjamin Franklin Lewis (December 2, 1909 – February 28, 1963) was an American politician who served as alderman of Chicago's 24th ward from 1958 until he was murdered in his ward office in 1963. The case remains unsolved. Lewis was a native ...

George W. Collins George Washington Collins (March 5, 1925 – December 8, 1972) was an American politician. Collins was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois. Collins served from November 1970 until he was killed in a plane ...

*David Rhodes *Walter Shumpert *William C. Henry *Jesse L. Miller Jr. *Michael Chandler *

Sharon Denise Dixon Sharon Denise Dixon (born December 11, 1962) is an American politician who represented the 24th Ward on the Chicago City Council from 2007 to 2011. In 2010 Dixon was a candidate in the Democratic Party primary for the United States House of Repr ...

*Michael Chandler *

Michael Scott Jr. Michael Scott Jr. is an American politician, business executive, and member of the Chicago Board of Education. From 2015 to 2022, he served as an alderman in the Chicago City Council representing the 24th ward, which includes portions of North L ...

25th Ward

26th Ward

27th Ward

28th Ward

* George M. Maypole *George D. Kells (Democratic) *Patrick P. Petrone *Anthony G. Girolami *Alphonse Tomaso *Angelo C. Provenzano *Joseph Jambrone *Jimmy L. Washington *William Carothers * Ed Smith * Jason Ervin

29th Ward

*Albert J. Horan *Thomas J. Terrell (Democratic) *Joseph S. Gillespie *George R. Pigott *Thomas F. Burke *Robert Biggs *Leroy Cross *

Danny K. Davis Daniel K. Davis (born September 6, 1941) is an American politician who is the U.S. representative from , elected in 1996. The district serves much of western Chicago, including the Loop. It also includes several of Chicago's inner western suburb ...

*Sam Burrell *

Isaac Carothers Isaac "Ike" Sims Carothers is a former alderman of the 29th Ward on the far west side of the City of Chicago. He was first elected in 1999. He resigned in 2010 after pleading guilty to federal corruption charges. Family and early life Carothers ...

Deborah L. Graham Deborah L. Graham (born May 2, 1966) was a member of the Chicago City Council. From March 2010 until February 24, 2015, she has represented the 29th Ward on Chicago's West Side. She was appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley. Prior to her service a ...

* Chris Taliaferro

30th Ward

*John S. Clark Jr. (Democratic) *Edward J. Upton *Edmund J. Hughes *Daniel J. Ronan *Edwin H. McMahon *Elmer R. Filippini *George A. Hagopian *George J. Hagopian *Carole Bialczak *Michael Wojcik * Ariel Reboyras

31st Ward

32nd Ward

33rd Ward

*Joseph Petlak *George M. Rozczynialski *Joseph P. Rostenkowski *Zefiryn H. Kadow (Democratic) *Vincent S. Zwiefka *John B. Brandt *Robert Brandt *Rex Sande *

Richard Mell Richard F. "Dick" Mell (born May 5, 1938) is an American politician. A Democrat, he served on the Chicago City Council from 1975 to 2013. He retired in 2013 and was succeeded by Deb Mell, his daughter. Early life Mell was born and raised in Musk ...

* Deb Mell *

Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez Rossana Rodríguez Sanchez (born November 13, 1978) is a Chicago politician and community organizer. She is the alderwoman of Chicago's 33rd ward, having taken office as a member of the Chicago City Council in May 2019. She won election to that of ...

(2019–present)

34th Ward

*Edward J. Kaindl *Thomas Patrick Keane (Democratic) *Matt Porten (Democratic) *Herbert F. Geisler *Rex Sande *Wilson Frost *Lemuel Austin Jr. * Carrie Austin

35th Ward

*George Seif (Democratic) *Matt Porten *Walter J. Orlikoski (Democratic) * Frank Peska * Casimir C. Laskowski * John C. Marcin *Joseph S. Kotlarz Jr. *Michael A. Wojcik *Vilma Colom * Rey Colón * Carlos Ramirez-Rosa

36th Ward

*A.C. Sievers (Republican) *Eugene L. Nusser *George W. Robinson (Democratic) *Richard M. Walsh *Louis P. Garippo *Frank Ringa *Alfred J. Cilella *Robert L. Massey *John F. Aiello *Louis Farina * William Banks * John Rice *

Nicholas Sposato Nicholas Sposato (born October 7, 1958) serves on the Chicago City Council as alderman of the 38th Ward of the City of Chicago on the city's Far Northwest Side. Sposato was elected as alderman for the 36th ward in 2011 in an election against incum ...

Gilbert Villegas Gilbert Villegas (born in Chicago on October 26, 1970) is a Marine Veteran and served during the Gulf War. He's an American politician serving as a member of the Chicago City Council from the 36th ward. The 36th ward includes Belmont-Cragin, Gal ...

37th Ward

*Wiley W. Mills (Democratic) *James H. Taylor *Wiley W. Mills *Roger J. Kiley (Democratic) *Francis E. Callahan *William J. Lancaster *Paul T. Corcoran *Thomas J. Casey *Frank A. Damato *Percy Z. Giles * Emma Mitts

38th Ward

39th Ward

*Frank J. Tomczak (Democratic) *Frank R. Ringa *Walter J. Orlikoski *James H. Hurley (Democratic) *Hyman L. Brody *Ray N. Jacobs *George L. Buckley *Phillip A. Shapiro *Anthony C. Laurino *

Margaret Laurino Margaret Laurino Barnette (born June 17, 1952) is a former alderman of the 39th Ward of the City of Chicago. She is the daughter of former AldermaAnthony C. Laurino the sister of former state Representative William Laurino, and the wife of form ...

Samantha Nugent Samantha Nugent is the current alderman of the 39th ward of the City of Chicago. Nugent won the 39th Ward general runoff election on April 2, 2019, after advancing from the general election on February 26, 2019. See also *List of Chicago alderme ...

40th Ward

*Christ A. Jensen (Democratic) *

John William Chapman John William Chapman (September 8, 1894 August 17, 1978) was the 37th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. Chapman was born in Crete, Nebraska September 8, 1894. Chapman attended Public school in Chicago. He graduated from the University of Chicago ...

*Joseph C. Ross (Republican) *Samuel Gurman *Benjamin M. Becker *

Seymour Simon Seymour Simon (August 10, 1915 – September 26, 2006) was an American lawyer, Appellate Court and Supreme Court Justice in Illinois, and City Council member (alderman) in Chicago, Illinois. Life Simon was born in Chicago, and grew up in the ...

*Nathan J. Kaplan *

* Solomon Gutstein *Ivan Rittenberg *

Patrick J. O'Connor Patrick J. O'Connor (born June 21, 1955) is a former Chicago politician. He is the former alderman in Chicago's City Council representing the 40th ward on the North Side of the city. He was first elected in 1983 at age 28. His tenure ended in M ...

Andre Vasquez Andre Vasquez (born May 21, 1979) is a Chicago politician, community organizer, and former rapper. He is the alderman of the city's 40th ward. He won election to that office after defeating incumbent Patrick O'Connor in the 2019 Chicago alderman ...

(2019–present)

41st Ward

*Thomas J. Bowler (Democratic) *James C. Moreland (Republican) *William J. Cowhey *Joseph P. Immel Jr. *Harry Bell * Edward T. Scholl * Roman Pucinski * Brian Doherty * Mary O'Connor *

Anthony Napolitano Anthony V. Napolitano (born March 29, 1975) is the current Alderman for Chicago's 41st ward, located on the Northwest side and including Edison Park, Norwood Park, Oriole Park, O'Hare and Edgebrook. Early life and career Napolitano worked a ...

North Side (Wards 42–50)

42nd Ward

This ward, historically covering most of the Near North Side, has recently moved slightly south to also encompass the northern part of the

43rd Ward

44th Ward

*Thomas O. Wallace *Albert Loescher *John J. Grealis (Democratic) *Leo C. Burmeister Jr. *Thomas Rosenberg *

William Singer William Singer is an American lawyer, politician, consultant, and lobbyist who the formerly served as a Chicago alderman, representing the 44th and 43rd wards during his aldermanic career. While on the Chicago City Council, Singer was an indep ...

Dick Simpson Richard Charles Simpson (born July 28, 1943) is an Americans, American former Major League Baseball right fielder and center fielder. He played from 1962-1969 for the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles / California Angels, Cincinnati Reds, St. Loui ...

*Bruce Young *

John Merlo John Merlo (September 9, 1912 – August 9, 1992) was an American politician, who served for seven terms as an Illinois State Representative, for three years as an Illinois state senator, as well as for two years as a Chicago City Council alder ...

Bernie Hansen Bernie Hansen (November 26, 1944 – July 18, 2021) was a longtime Chicago alderman, serving on the Chicago City Council from 1983 to 2002, when he retired as alderman of the 44th Ward citing health reasons. He was a Democrat. Hansen was elected ...

* Tom Tunney

45th Ward

*Leo M. Brieske *William Feigenbutz *Edwin F. Meyer (Democratic) *Theron W. Merryman *Charles J. Fleck *Charles H. Weber *Edwin P. Fifielski *Richard S. Clewis *Gerald McLaughlin *

Patrick Levar Patrick Levar (born c. 1951) is the former alderman of the 45th ward of the City of Chicago. Early life Levar is a graduate of St. Patrick's High School (1969) and Northeastern Illinois University (1973). Before becoming Alderman Levar worked as an ...

* John Arena * Jim Gardiner

46th ward

*Oscar F. Nelson (Republican) *James F. Young *Joseph R. Kerwin *Christopher B. Cohen *Ralph Axelrod *Jerome M. Orbach *

Helen Shiller Helen Shiller (born 1947) is a former Alderman of the 46th ward in Chicago, Illinois. Shiller is also a published author, having written a 500-page book on her politics and activism in Chicago from 1971 to 2011. Shiller served in the Chicago Ci ...

* James Cappleman

47th Ward

48th Ward

*Frank J. Link (Republican) *Francis L. Boutell (1925 – December 1, 1926, resigned to join the

Cook County Board of Commissioners The Cook County Board of Commissioners is a legislative body made up of 17 commissioners who are elected by district, and a president who is elected county-wide, all for four-year terms. Cook County, which includes the City of Chicago, is the Uni ...

, Republican) *John A. Massen (Republican) *Robert C. Quirk *Allen A. Freeman *Morris H. Hirsh *Robert J. O'Rourke *Marilou Hedlund *

Dennis H. Block Dennis or Denis is a first or last name from the Greco-Roman name Dionysius, via one of the Christian saints named Dionysius. The name came from Dionysus, the Greek god of ecstatic states, particularly those produced by wine, which is sometim ...

*Marion K. Volini * Kathy Osterman * Mary Ann Smith * Harry Osterman

49th Ward

50th Ward

Notes

References

Dates Partisan affiliations Ward maps

Bibliography

*{{cite book , last1=Fremon , first1=David K. , title=Chicago Politics Ward by Ward , date=1988 , publisher=Indiana University Press , location=Bloomington, Indiana and Indianapolis, Indiana , isbn=0-253-31344-9