City Hall Reform

The Problem

Chicago’s governance structure is broken. Residents and businesses shouldn’t have to hire lobbyists to get permits approved or secure deals with the city, yet the current system fosters exactly that kind of favoritism. Aldermen are stretched thin, handling both constituent services and legislative duties, leaving citywide policymaking neglected. The City Council Office of Financial Analysis (COFA) is underfunded and understaffed, weakening oversight, while the lack of a professional city manager creates operational inefficiencies. Aldermanic prerogative enables inequity, and the mayor’s control over Council leadership undermines legislative independence. Outside employment by aldermen further erodes public trust. These foundational flaws make it clear: Chicago needs systemic reform to create a government that is fair, efficient, and transparent for everyone.

The Solution: City Hall Reform 

1. Separate Services from Legislators: Remove city service delivery from aldermanic offices, ensuring that aldermen focus solely on policy, strategy, finance, and governance.

2. Make a Choice: Fewer Wards Or More Aldermanic Resources: Chicago’s low ratio of residents per alderperson (1:53,931) allows for hyperlocal representation but strains resources, leaving ward offices overwhelmed; the city must choose between reducing the number of wards to increase resources for each or enhancing centralized legislative support.

3. Beef Up COFA: Chicago’s City Council Office of Financial Analysis (COFA) was created to provide nonpartisan budget analysis but remains severely understaffed and under-resourced, limiting its ability to support alderpersons effectively; expanding COFA could strengthen independent legislative oversight without increasing individual ward staff.

4. Hire An Operational Expert: Adopting a city manager system, as used in cities like Phoenix and San Antonio, could bring professional oversight to Chicago’s day-to-day operations, improving coordination, reducing inefficiencies, and addressing challenges more effectively while allowing the mayor and City Council to focus on policymaking and legislative priorities.

5. End Aldermanic Prerogative: Eliminate Aldermanic prerogative to streamline decision-making and reduce favoritism.

6. Balance Power Between Mayor and Council: Create a fairer balance of power by allowing the City Council to choose its leadership structure—currently appointed by the mayor—just as any functioning legislature would.

7. Ban Conflicts of Interest: Prohibit aldermen from working for lobbying or property tax firms to ensure transparency and accountability. 

Sources

Hendershot, Steve. (2023) Center for Effective Government. University of Chicago. 50 Alderman May Be 40 Too Many. Here's Why.

Hendershot, Steve. (2023) Center for Effective Government. University of Chicago. How Chicago's City Council Can Become More Independent.

Marlowe, Justin. (2023) Center for Effective Government. University of Chicago. Expand Chicago's Budget Office To Give The City Council Meaningful Input on Spending Plans

Metropolitan Planning Council. Unfettered Aldermanic Prerogative