I'm not a Poli-Sci major, but I am interested in running for a chicago ward alderman position soon. I have been researching on how to do this - it's not like I can walk up to the current alderman's office and ask - and have come up with nothing. A search on google for "running for city alderman" brings nothing, and I haven't seen any "alderman for dummies" books.

My question is...what is the route that I will need to take in order to (a) get myself on the chicago ballet for alderman, and (b) run for chicago war alderman in general.

Thank you.

It's really very simple, you usually have to file more than 30 days before the election, you just go to city hall and fill out the form and you get put on the ballot. You must meet the requirments though, you can't be a convicted felon , etc.

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Dems....a flash in the pan.

Look up the statutes of the state of Illinois, and find the sections on elections. I looked at this once upon a time when considering running for my local town board.

IIRC, you need a petition (I think they have a specific wording; be sure to use it exactly if they do or they'll be More than happy to throw all your petitions in the trash), to be circulated during some specific dates in the Dec-Jan timeframe in order to get on the municipal ballots in March.

Reread everything at least twice, and possibly see if you can find an attorney specializing in election law to make sure you're dotting all your T's and crossing your I's. If you're mostly Green/Libertarian/whatever, they may be willing to provide you a little advice regardless of your actual party affiliation.

Beyond that, I know there are specialized magazines regarding governance and/or running for office, but I don't recall the names. Check online, or perhaps with a nearby university library.

(PLMK what you find and/or how things go! And depending on Where in Chicago you are, and/or what the legal requirements are, I may be able to get you a couple signatures from friends!)

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Today's forecast: Government corruption.

Tomorrow's forecast: 100% chance of more 'politics as usual'

Maybe it's finally time to vote Libertarian

Thank you for your replies. I'm in the 19th ward, Beverly area.

A little sick of the job the alderman is currently doing...and I'm not one to sit around and wait for things to happen.

Geez, they're tough on you up in Yankeeland! Here you just go sign up at city hall and you're on the ballot (provided you meet the requirments).

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Dems....a flash in the pan.

Yes, the system is designed to keep out outsiders, third parties, and/or independents.
And since he's in Chicago proper, depending on the corruption level of the sitting Alderman in question, kenel may face fun things like 'missed' garbage collections, bogus parking tickets, or even death threats.

I only lived there a few years, so I don't know wards, and only know roughly where Beverly is. My friends are scattered around the north side, except a couple near Midway, so I probably can't help you out then, depending on what the residency requirements are.

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Today's forecast: Government corruption.

Tomorrow's forecast: 100% chance of more 'politics as usual'

Maybe it's finally time to vote Libertarian

Y'know what's really funny? When the city fucks with you, then you run for office...........and win.

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Dems....a flash in the pan.

Suggest you meet with the pertinent interest groups in your Ward, and go from there.

I've been on a Town Board, but it was out here in the sticks.

Big city I have zero experience in, as far as running for office.

But from what I know of Chi-town it's all about Organization (e.g., having one back you).