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 mon ...

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 Cou ...

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 fo ...

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 ...

, 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 ...

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 *

Leon Despres Leon Mathis Despres (February 2, 1908 – May 6, 2009) was an American author, attorney and politician. He was best known as a long-time alderman in Chicago, where he regularly disagreed with then-mayor Richard J. Daley, often engaging in loud ...

*Ross Lathrop *Lawrence Bloom *Barbara Holt *

Leslie Hairston Leslie Hairston (born July 17, 1961) is an American politician who is currently alderman of the 5th ward of the City of Chicago; she was elected in 1999. Hairston is a Hyde Park native. As alderman, she represents the ward in the Chicago City Cou ...

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 Eugene Sawyer Jr. (September 3, 1934January 19, 2008) was an American businessman, educator, and politician. Sawyer was selected as the 53rd Mayor of Chicago, Illinois after the sudden death of then–mayor Harold Washington, serving from Decemb ...

*John O. Steele * Freddrenna Lyle *

Roderick Sawyer Roderick Terrance Sawyer (born April 12, 1963) is an American politician and the current alderman of the 6th ward located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. In addition to serving as alderman, Sawyer is currently the Chairman of the Health and H ...

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 ...

*Darcel Beavers *

Sandi Jackson Sandra Lee Jackson (née Stevens; born September 14, 1963) is an American politician. She was elected to the Chicago City Council as an alderman of the 7th ward of the City of Chicago in the 2007 municipal elections held on February 27, 2007. She ...

Natashia Holmes Natashia Holmes (born June 4, 1975) is an American politician who served as the alderman of the 7th ward of the City of Chicago. Holmes was appointed by the Chicago City Council and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, replacing Sandi Jackson, who resigned in Jan ...

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 Natas ...

8th Ward

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

Todd Stroger Todd H. Stroger (born January 14, 1963) is the former president of the Cook County, Illinois Board and a former alderman for the 8th Ward in Chicago. Stroger is a member of the Democratic Party. In 2001, he was appointed to the Chicago City Coun ...

* Michelle A. Harris

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 ...

(Democratic) *William J. Pieczynski *Emil V. Pacini *John J. Buchanan *

Edward Vrdolyak Edward Robert Vrdolyak (; born December 28, 1937), also known as "Fast Eddie", is a former American politician and lawyer. He was a longtime Chicago alderman and the head of the Cook County Democratic Party until 1987 when he ran unsuccessfully f ...

*Victor Vrdolyak *John J. Buchanan * John Pope * Susie Sadlowski Garza

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 Michael Anthony Bilandic (February 13, 1923January 15, 2002) was an American Democratic politician and attorney who served as the 49th mayor of Chicago from 1976 to 1979, after the death of his predecessor, Richard J. Daley. Bilandic practic ...

*Patrick M. Huels * James Balcer *

Patrick Daley Thompson Patrick Daley Thompson (born July 8, 1969) is an American politician who most recently served as an alderman from Chicago's 11th ward and was previously a commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. A member o ...

* Nicole Lee (politician)

12th Ward

*Ernest J. Kunstmann (Republican) *Bryan Hartnett (Democratic) *Benjamin J. Zintak *Bryan Hartnett * Edmund J. Kucharski *Arthur V. Zelezinski * Donald T. Swinarski *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 Toni Foulkes is the former alderman of Chicago's 16th ward, and was formerly the alderman for the 15th ward. She is African American. Aldermanic career In 2007, Foulkes was elected Chicago alderman for the 15th Ward, winning an open-race to suc ...

Raymond Lopez Raymond Anthony Lopez (born May 26, 1978) is an American politician who is currently a member of the Chicago City Council serving as alderman of the 15th Ward in Chicago, Illinois. A member of the Democratic Party, Lopez was first elected as De ...

16th Ward

*Terence Moran (Democratic) *John S. Boyle *Paul M. Sheridan Sr. *Paul M. Sheridan Jr. * Anna Langford *Eloise Barden * Anna Langford * Shirley Coleman *JoAnn Thompson *

* Stephanie Coleman (2019–present)

17th Ward

*John H. Lyle (Republican) *Robert E. Barbee *James G. Coyle * Frank J. Corr (Democratic) *William T. Murphy *Arthur A. Slight * Charles Chew *William H. Shannon *Tyrone McFolling *Allan Streeter *

Terry Peterson Terry is a unisex given name, derived from French Thierry and Theodoric. It can also be used as a diminutive nickname for the names Teresa or Theresa (feminine) or Terence or Terrier (masculine). People Male * Terry Albritton (1955–2005), A ...

* Latasha Thomas * David H. Moore

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

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 *

Willie Cochran Willie B. Cochran (born 1953) is an American politician and former Chicago Police Department officer. Cochran served as alderman of Chicago, Illinois' 20th Ward from 2007 until 2019. Early life, education and career Cochran was born one of ten c ...

Jeanette Taylor Jeanette Beatrice Taylor (born May 16, 1975) is an American politician and community organizer. Taylor is the alderman of Chicago, Illinois' 20th ward, taking office as a member of the Chicago City Council in May 2019. She won an open race to succ ...

21st Ward

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

Wilson Frost Wilson Lee Frost (December 27, 1925 – May 5, 2018) was an American politician and former Chicago, Illinois alderman, Frost served as alderman of the city's 21st (1967–1971) and 34th wards (1971–1987), totaling twenty years in Chicago's City ...

, Democratic * Bennett Stewart, Democratic *Niles Sherman *Jesse J. Evans *Leonard DeVille *

Howard Brookins Jr. Howard Beamon Brookins Jr. (born October 21, 1963) is the Alderman of the 21st Ward of the City of Chicago. He was elected in 2003 and is currently serving his fifth term. Early life Brookins, the son of legislator Howard B. Brookins Sr., atte ...

22nd Ward

*Joseph Cepak *Henry Sonnenschein (Democratic) *Otto F. Janousek *Frank D. Stemberk *

Jesús "Chuy" García Jesus ( AD 30 or 33) was a Jewish preacher and religious leader who most Christians believe to be the incarnation of God and Muslims believe was a prophet. Jesus may also refer to: People Religious figures * Elymas Bar-Jesus, a Jew in the ''Act ...

Ricardo Muñoz Ricardo Muñoz is a former member of the Chicago City Council, having served as alderman for the 22nd ward, which includes Little Village and Archer Heights. Muñoz was appointed to this position by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1993 and served un ...

* 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-cong ...

*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: Avi ...

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, an ...

(Democratic) *Fred Fischman *Louis London *Sidney D. Deutsch * Benjamin F. Lewis * George W. Collins *David Rhodes *Walter Shumpert *William C. Henry *Jesse L. Miller Jr. *Michael Chandler * Sharon Denise Dixon *Michael Chandler * Michael Scott Jr.

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 Jason C. Ervin is the current alderman for Chicago’s 28th Ward. The 28th Ward is located on the West Side of Chicago. Education and early career Ervin has a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a Master of Publ ...

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 subur ...

*Sam Burrell * Isaac Carothers * Deborah L. Graham *

Chris Taliaferro Chris Taliaferro is a Democratic Alderman representing the 29th ward of the city of Chicago. The 29th ward includes the Austin, Montclare and Galewood areas. Aldermanic career Taliaferro was elected alderman in 2015, unseating incumbent Debor ...

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 Ariel Reboyras is alderman of the 30th ward of the City of Chicago; he was first elected in 2003. He was previously a deputy commissioner in the general service department. Early life Ariel Reboyras was born in New York City in 1953. Of Puerto ...

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 *

Deb Mell Deborah L. "Deb" Mell (born July 30, 1968) is an American politician from Chicago. She is a Democrat and was formerly a member of the Chicago City Council, representing the 33rd ward. She previously served in the Illinois House of Representative ...

* Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (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 Carrie Austin is alderman of the 34th ward on Chicago's far south side. The predominantly African-American ward includes portions of Morgan Park, Roseland, Washington Heights and West Pullman. Chicago City Council Austin was appointed by Ric ...

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 Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (born February 18, 1989) is an American politician. He has served as the alderman for Chicago's 35th Ward since May 18, 2015. He is a member of the Chicago City Council's Progressive Reform Caucus, and was elected to serve ...

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 * Gilbert Villegas

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 Emma Mitts (born June 12, 1955) is alderman of the 37th ward on Chicago's West Side. The predominantly African-American ward includes portions of Austin, West Garfield Park and West Humboldt Park. She has represented the ward since 2000. Early ...

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 * Samantha Nugent

40th Ward

*Christ A. Jensen (Democratic) * John William Chapman *Joseph C. Ross (Republican) *Samuel Gurman *Benjamin M. Becker * Seymour Simon *Nathan J. Kaplan * Seymour Simon * Solomon Gutstein *Ivan Rittenberg * Patrick J. O'Connor *

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 alderm ...

(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 Roman Conrad Pucinski (May 13, 1919 – September 25, 2002) was an American Democratic politician from Chicago, Illinois. He was a U.S. Representative from 1959 to 1973 and alderman from the 41st Ward of Chicago from 1973 to 1991. He was co ...

* Brian Doherty * Mary O'Connor * Anthony Napolitano

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 * Dick Simpson *Bruce Young * John Merlo * Bernie Hansen *

Tom Tunney Thomas M. Tunney (born August 22, 1955) is an American politician and entrepreneur from Chicago, Illinois. Since 2003, he has served as an alderman on the Chicago City Council. He represents the prominent 44th Ward of the city, which includes ma ...

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 a ...

John Arena John Arena is an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the 45th ward in the Chicago City Council from 2011 to 2019. Career Aldermanic career In 2011, Arena was elected as the alderman of the 45th ward. The 45th wa ...

* Jim Gardiner

46th ward

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

James Cappleman James Cappleman (born October 26, 1952) is an American politician and a member of the Chicago City Council. He was elected to the Council in 2011 as the alderman for the city's 46th ward, which includes parts of the Uptown and Lakeview neighborho ...

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, Illinois, Cook County, which includes the City ...

, Republican) *John A. Massen (Republican) *Robert C. Quirk *Allen A. Freeman *Morris H. Hirsh *Robert J. O'Rourke *Marilou Hedlund * Dennis H. Block *Marion K. Volini * Kathy Osterman *

Mary Ann Smith Mary Ann Smith is a former alderman of the 48th ward of the City of Chicago; she was appointed in 1989 by Mayor Richard M. Daley to replace Kathy Osterman. She won re-election in 1991, and was re-elected four more times before retiring in 2011.< ...

Harry Osterman Harry Osterman (born April 14, 1967) is an American politician serving as a member of the Chicago City Council from the 48th ward. He previously served in the Illinois House of Representatives for the 14th District from 2000 to 2011. Early life ...

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