Mayor
Chart Source: City of Chicago 2023 Budget Overview.
*The Board of Election Commissioners and the Chicago Public Library are only partially funded by the city.
**The District Councils are budgeted under the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability.
In Chicago, the mayor is the chief executive in city government. To be elected mayor, a candidate must win more than half the votes cast. If no candidate wins more than half the votes, there is a runoff between the two highest vote-getters.
What does the mayor do?
The mayor appoints hundreds of city officials. This includes Chicago’s Chief Financial Officer, all department heads, and the members of more than a hundred city boards and commissions. If an alder vacates their seat, the mayor appoints a replacement. By tradition, the mayor also appoints Chicago City Council committee chairs. As of January 2023, the mayor appoints the Board of the Chicago Public Schools, but this will change in 2024.
The mayor proposes the annual city budget. The budget must be approved by the Chicago City Council, which is composed of the 50 alders of Chicago’s 50 wards.
The mayor manages the city departments. Check out the full list of departments.
The mayor presides over Chicago City Council meetings. The mayor sets the order, chooses who gets to speak, and can overrule objections. The mayor votes only if there is a tie.
The mayor can propose legislation for the City Council to consider. Legislation can range from police reform to environmental standards to parking permits. Alders can also propose legislation.
The mayor has veto power. To override the mayor’s veto, the City Council needs a 2/3 majority (34 of 50 aldermen).
You can contact the mayor at letterforthemayor@cityofchicago.org.