6th Ward, Chicago

The 6th Ward is one of the 50 aldermanic wards with representation in the City Council of Chicago, Illinois.

History

19th century

At its incorporation as a city in 1837, Chicago was divided into six wards. The 6th ward represented areas north of the Chicago River, and east of North Clark Street. Beginning February 16, 1847 (when the city increased its number of wards to nine), the ward represented areas west of the Chicago River and north of Randolph Street. The Illinois and Michigan Canal was completed in 1848, running through the district.

Beginning February 16, 1857 (when the city increased its number of wards to ten), the ward represented areas of Chicago's West Side that were to the north of West Randolph Street. Beginning in 1863 (when the city increased its number of wards to sixteen) the ward was bounded by Van Buren Street (at its north), Jefferson Street (at its east), and the south branch of the Chicago River (at its south).

Beginning in 1869 (when the city expanded its number of wards to twenty), the "6th ward" numbering was given to a ward which represented much of the area that had been in the previous incarnation of the 7th ward. The ward's northern boundaries were defined by 16th street and the south branch of the Chicago River (including a segment of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal). Its southern boundary was defined by Egan Street (the former 39th Street, which was later renamed Pershing Road). Its eastern boundary was defined by Clark Street. This district was on the South Side. Located within its boundaries were the neighborhoods of Bridgeport, Mt. Pleasant (today known asM McKinley Park), as well as the area that is today home to the Armour Square neighborhood (including the land today occupied by Wentworth Gardens and Rate Field, and Chinatown).

Beginning on March 22, 1876 (when the city decreased the number of wards to 18) the district's boundaries were defined at its north by 16th street as well as the South Branch of the Chicago river (including a portion of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal); at its east by the city limits (the lakeshore), at its south by Pulaski Road/40th Avenue, and at its west by the city limits and the south branch of the Chicago River. This included all of the areas that had been in 1869 incarnation of the district, and also included further territory. The new territory added to the ward included Oakland, the area that is today known as "Douglas", and the Near South Side.

Beginning in 1890 (when Chicago expanded its number of wards to thirty-four) the ward's boundaries were defined at its north by 33rd street and portions of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (along the south branch of the Chicago River); on its east by Halsted Street, on its south by 39th Street (today known as "Pershing Road"); and on its west by Western Boulevard. This contained the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood (today known as McKinley Park) and a portion of the Bridgeport neighborhood.

20th century

21st century

Past alders

The current alderperson for the 6th ward is William Hall.

Before 1923

Before 1923, wards were represented by two aldermen.

Since 1923

Since 1923, wards have been represented by a single alderman. Elections have also been nonpartisan, though officeholders often still publicly affiliate with parties.

Demographics

Electoral history

References

{{Improve categories, date=December 2024

06
1837 establishments in Illinois
Constituencies established in 1837