Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Law and government

The government of the City of Chicago is divided into executive and legislative branches. The mayor is the chief executive, elected by general election for a term of four years. The mayor appoints commissioners and other officials who oversee the various departments. The current mayor is Richard M. Daley, a Democrat. In addition to the mayor, Chicago's two other citywide elected officials are the clerk and the treasurer.

Related Topics:
Executive - Legislative - Chief executive - Richard M. Daley

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The City Council is the legislative branch and is made up of 50 aldermen, one elected from each ward in the city. The council enacts local ordinance and approves the city budget. Government priorities and activities are established in a budget ordinance usually adopted each November. The council takes official action through the passage of ordinances and resolutions.

Related Topics:
City Council - 50 - Aldermen - Ward - Ordinance - Budget

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Politics

Former Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley once led a political machine called the Chicago Democratic Machine. Another point of interest is the party leanings of the city. For much of the last century, Chicago has been considered one of the largest Democratic strongholds in the United States. For example, the citizens of Chicago have not elected a Republican mayor since 1927, when William Thompson was voted into office. Today only one Alderman member is Republican.

Related Topics:
Richard J. Daley - Political machine - Chicago Democratic Machine - Democratic - United States - Republican - 1927 - William Thompson

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Chicago's politics lean famously to the left compared to the rest of the midwest, and it is often said that Chicago is the "East Coast" of the Midwest. All precincts of the city voted for Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004. Social liberalism is strong in the city, with a strong majority of Chicagoans supporting welfare programs and the pro-choice movement. In 2004, Mayor Richard M. Daley rejected a proposal to legalize same-sex marriage in the city. The issue was controversial especially in Illinois, since the state is arguably the most varied in terms of liberal urban areas vs conservative rural areas. In partisan elections, such as for the State Legislature and U.S. Congress, most elections are won by Democrats, such as the landslide win of Barack Obama in 2004.

Related Topics:
Midwest - East Coast - Al Gore - John Kerry - Chicagoans - Welfare - Pro-choice - 2004 - Mayor Richard M. Daley - Illinois - Barack Obama

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Law enforcement

The Chicago Police Department, also known as the CPD, is the principal law enforcement agency of Chicago, under the jurisdiction of the mayor of Chicago. It is the largest police department in the U.S. Midwest and the second largest in the nation (with 13,619 sworn officers and 2,625 other employees as of 2003), and one of the oldest organized police forces in the world. Currently, the Chicago Police Department is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

Related Topics:
Mayor of Chicago - U.S. - Midwest - Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies

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There are twenty-five police districts, each led by a commander. Each commander oversees a network of administrative and operational departments that include patrol officers, detective forces, and other investigative units. Commanders report to the superintendent of police who in turn is subject to the authority of the mayor of Chicago.

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Related topics

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• Chicago City Hall
• List of Chicago city departments
• List of mayors of Chicago
• Municipal Flag of Chicago
• Chicago City Council
• Chicago Police Department
• Chicago Fire Department
• Sister Cities of Chicago
• Municipal Code of Chicago

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