Former Chicago Mayor’s Challenge of Aldermanic Power Eschewed

Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, as one of her last acts in office, issued 11 executive orders, one of which targeted the long-standing practice of aldermen controlling development in their respective wards.

Lightfoot criticized this tradition as a breeding ground for corruption and sought to increase transparency by requiring that recommendations made to the Zoning Committee be shared before public hearings. The move aimed to shed light on instances in which aldermen ignored the advice of the city’s Planning and Development staff.

However, her successor, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and his allies have yet to implement Lightfoot’s orders, signaling a reluctance to challenge entrenched power dynamics within the city council, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Lightfoot’s executive order reflected campaign promises to combat corruption but faced pushback from council members who viewed it as an overreach.

Increased transparency could empower residents to scrutinize decisions made by the Zoning Committee, analysts such as Geoffrey Cubbage of the Better Government Association have argued. Lightfoot viewed the executive order as essential for fostering a more transparent and democratic governance process.

Johnson’s administration acknowledged the existence of Lightfoot’s order but stated that it has not been enforced, citing the need for review alongside other zoning policy changes. Johnson’s approach emphasizes collaboration and a departure from Lightfoot’s confrontational stance toward aldermanic power.

Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, a Lightfoot ally who chaired the Zoning Committee under Johnson, is among those who have distanced themselves from Lightfoot’s orders. They argue that the orders were issued too late and should have been addressed earlier in her tenure. They also raised concerns about bureaucratic strain and the potential concentration of power in the mayor’s office.

The debate over aldermanic prerogative and zoning transparency underscores broader tensions within Chicago politics. While Lightfoot’s attempts to reform the system faced opposition, Johnson’s administration navigates a delicate balance between transparency and respecting council autonomy.

“He has maybe learned the lesson that there are ways to pursue transparency without demonizing the city council,” acting Zoning Chair, Alderman Bennett Lawson, told the outlet.

—Quinn Donoghue