Chicago City Council
From CloutWiki
Originally a board of trustees, the Chicago City Council was established in 1875, and has over the past century increased and decreased its total number of members, or Aldermen. Ironically, Chicago has a weak mayor form of government, where the Council approves budgets and mayoral appointments. Since the beginning of the 20th Century, however, Chicago mayors have steadily gathered power by consolidating and professionalizing city services under their control, and under state legislation in 1956, initiated the budget, rather than the Council.
Since the 1923 City Council members have been elected in non-partisan elections, set with 50 Wards in 1923, and since at least 1995, Aldermanic candidates must win a majority vote, or be forced into a run-off election between the top two vote-getters. In 1995 mayoral campaigns were also made non-partisan.
The mayor presides over Council meetings, only votes in a tie council vote and has a veto over Council votes. Mayoral vetoes can be overridden by a two-thirds Council vote.
The Chicago City Clerk tracks committee assignments.
