Along with Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot, the city clerk and the city treasurer, the Chicago City Council will be sworn into office next Monday.
Twelve new alderman are joining the ranks — a handful of them replacing lawmakers who have served on the council since the early or mid-nineties (or, in the case of outgoing 40th ward alderman Pat O’Connor, since 1983).
The new members skew much more liberal than we’ve seen in Chicago. Many describe themselves as progressive, five of them as Democratic Socialists.
So, how will the remaining old guard work with newcomers? Or with a Mayor Lightfoot? And what are their goals and priorities come May 20th?
Morning Shift sits down with three of the longest-serving aldermen on the coming council, with a combined 65 years of experience in their jobs: Walter Burnett of the 27th ward, who joined the council in 1995; Anthony Beale of the 9th and Leslie Hairston of the 5th began serving in 1999.
GUESTS: Ald. Walter Burnett (27th)
Ald. Anthony Beale (9th)
Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th)
LEARN MORE: City elections in Chicago (Ballotpedia)