Lupe Fiasco

Barack is at a level where he can't - no matter how much he wants to or how much we want him to - he's not going to come take out our garbage, so to speak. He can't be the garbage man and the president. He can't be the mayor and the alderman. He can't fill all those roles. So I always push for local, local activity on the political scene.

American Musician

Lori Lightfoot

If aldermen are doing their job right, they should be the ones who are closest to the vibe and the beat in their neighborhood and have a very important role to play on a number of different issues, but not a unilateral, unchecked right. That's gone as soon as I take office.

American Politician

If you look at the number of aldermen who have been prosecuted and found liable of federal crimes over the years... the common thread among all of them is doing something in the exercise of aldermanic prerogative or privilege.

Walter F. Mondale

When I was a young man, I used to dream maybe someday I could be an alderman. Instead of that I became an attorney general, a senator, a vice president, a Democratic nominee.

American Lawyer

An alderman is a local government official, not used for national positions.

Local Government

Aldermen are part of the municipal authority structure, dealing with city issues.

Municipal Authority

Aldermen are usually elected by residents of the city wards they represent.

Election Process

Historically, an alderman had authority and status within trade organizations.

Historic Role

The role signifies importance within the older trade and craft systems.

Trade Importance

Being an alderman was a sign of respect and seniority within a guild.

Respect and Seniority

 The city ran a contest and gathered a bunch of submissions with all kinds of designs. And an alderman by the name of Fred Steffan cobbled together parts of the submissions to make what is now the Milwaukee flag. It's a kitchen sink flag. There's a gigantic gear representing industry,

Alderman