An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law
. The term may refer to:
- A high-ranking member of a borough or county council, chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or elected by voters
- A council member chosen by the elected members themselves, rather than by popular vote
- A council member elected by voters
The role of an alderman varies depending on the jurisdiction, but some common responsibilities include:
- Representing the interests of their ward residents at city council meetings
- Being responsible to the people of their wards and the citizens of the city
- Attending regular meetings of the city council
- Participating in the decision-making process for various city policies and appointments
- Providing an accountability check on the mayor's power
- Supporting ward-specific services, such as requesting street and infrastructure improvements, and connecting local businesses, organizations, and residents to city services and information
In some cities, such as Chicago, aldermen are elected by the residents of a geographic area known as a ward to represent them as a member of the City Council
. The City of Chicago is divided into fifty legislative districts or wards, and each district is represented by an alderman
