Re-Imagine Chicago: Why Aldermen Work More Like ‘Mini-Mayors’

Reset teams up with the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government to explore new ways the city could work for its residents.

By Stephanie Kim
Re-Imagine Chicago: Why Aldermen Work More Like ‘Mini-Mayors’ (Part 2)
Members of the the Chicago City Council convene at City Hall, Wednesday morning, April 21, 2021. That Wednesday marked the first in-person council meeting since the start of the coronavirus pandemic more than a year ago. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Chicago Sun-Times via AP, Pool
Re-Imagine Chicago: Why Aldermen Work More Like ‘Mini-Mayors’ (Part 2)
Members of the the Chicago City Council convene at City Hall, Wednesday morning, April 21, 2021. That Wednesday marked the first in-person council meeting since the start of the coronavirus pandemic more than a year ago. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Chicago Sun-Times via AP, Pool

Re-Imagine Chicago: Why Aldermen Work More Like ‘Mini-Mayors’

Reset teams up with the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government to explore new ways the city could work for its residents.

By Stephanie Kim
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Chicago aldermen operate more like ward bosses than true legislators. For the second installment of our “Re-Imagine Chicago” series, Reset explores the history of Chicago’s aldermanic system and how it impacts individual residents and the city’s ability to get things done.

GUESTS: Julius L. Jones, assistant curator at the Chicago History Museum

Ald. Jeanette Taylor, 20th Ward

Ald. Michael Rodriguez, 22nd Ward

Robert, Washington Heights resident

Barbara Stewart, North Lawndale resident