# 3rd ward, Chicago

The 3rd Ward is one of the 50 aldermanic wards with representation in the City Council of Chicago, Illinois.

## History

By the 1940s, the ward's demographics had become heavily African–American.

## Past alders

The current alderperson for the 3rd ward is Pat Dowell.

### Before 1923

Before 1923, wards were represented by two aldermen.
| Aldermen | Aldermen | Aldermen | Aldermen | Aldermen | Aldermen | Aldermen | # Council | Aldermen | Aldermen | Aldermen | Aldermen | Aldermen | Aldermen | Aldermen |
| Alderman | Alderman | Alderman | Term in office | Party | Notes | Cite | # Council | Alderman | Alderman | Alderman | Term in office | Party | Notes | Cite |
| | | John D. Canton | 1837–1839 | | | | 1st | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| | | John D. Canton | 1837–1839 | | | | 2nd | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| | | Ira Miltimore | 1839–1842 | | | | 3rd | | | William H. Stow | 1839–1840 | | | |
| | | Ira Miltimore | 1839–1842 | | | | 4th | | | John Gage | 1840–1841 | | | |
| | | Ira Miltimore | 1839–1842 | | | | 5th | | | William H. Stow | 1841–1842 | | | |
| | | Hamilton Barnes | 1842–1843 | | | | 6th | | | Alson S. Sherman | 1842–1843 | | Later elected alderman again in 1849 in 5th | |
| | | Azel Peck | 1843–1844 | | | | 7th | | | Charles Taylor | 1843–1844 | | | |
| | | George Davis | 1844 | | | | 8th | | | Ira Miltimore | 1844–1845 | Liberty | | |
| | | Hamilton Barnes | 1844–1845 | | | | 8th | | | Ira Miltimore | 1844–1845 | Liberty | | |
| | | Francis Edwards | 1845–1846 | | | | 9th | | | Francis H. Taylor | 1845–1846 | | | |
| | | James Curtiss | 1846–1847 | Democratic | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 10th | | | Michael Kehoe | 1846–1847 | | | |
| | | J. Brinkerhoff | 1847–1849 | | | | 11th | | | Benjamin Wright Raymond | 1847–1848 | | | |
| | | J. Brinkerhoff | 1847–1849 | | | | 12th | | | William Jones | 1848–1850 | | | |
| | | W.H. Adams | 1849–1851 | | | | 13th | | | William Jones | 1848–1850 | | | |
| | | W.H. Adams | 1849–1851 | | | | 14th | | | S.J. Sherwood | 1850–1852 | | | |
| | | Oscar D. Wetherell | 1851–1853 | Republican | | | 15th | | | S.J. Sherwood | 1850–1852 | | | |
| | | Oscar D. Wetherell | 1851–1853 | Republican | | | 16th | | | O.J. Rose | 1852–1854 | | | |
| | | J.H. Gray | 1853–1855 | | | | 17th | | | O.J. Rose | 1852–1854 | | | |
| | | J.H. Gray | 1853–1855 | | | | 18th | | | William L. Church | 1854–1856 | | | |
| | | Lorenzo Fletcher | 1855–1857 | | | | 19th | | | William L. Church | 1854–1856 | | | |
| | | Lorenzo Fletcher | 1855–1857 | | | | 20th | | | Calvin DeWolf | 1856–1858 | | Later elected alderman again in 1866 in 2nd ward | |
| | | Hiram Joy | 1857–1859 | | | | 21st | | | Calvin DeWolf | 1856–1858 | | Later elected alderman again in 1866 in 2nd ward | |
| | | Hiram Joy | 1857–1859 | | | | 22nd | | | Levi J. North | 1858–1860 | | | |
| | | Fernando Jones | 1859–1861 | | | | 23rd | | | Levi J. North | 1858–1860 | | | |
| | | Fernando Jones | 1859–1861 | | | | 24th | | | Hiram Joy | 1860–1862 | | | |
| | | A.D. Titsworth | 1861–1863 | | Redistricted to 2nd ward in 1863 | | 25th | | | Hiram Joy | 1860–1862 | | | |
| | | A.D. Titsworth | 1861–1863 | | Redistricted to 2nd ward in 1863 | | 26th | | | James Hahn | 1862–1863 | | Redistricted to 1st in 1863 | |
| | | James H. Roberts | 1863–1865 | | | | 27th | | | Stephen Barrett | 1863–1868 | | Died in office | [2][8] [6] |
| | | James H. Roberts | 1863–1865 | | | | 28th | | | Stephen Barrett | 1863–1868 | | Died in office | [2][8] [6] |
| | | Charles G. Wicker | 1865–1869 | | Later elected alderman again in 1872 in 13th ward | | 29th | | | Stephen Barrett | 1863–1868 | | Died in office | [2][8] [6] |
| | | Charles G. Wicker | 1865–1869 | | Later elected alderman again in 1872 in 13th ward | | 30th | | | Stephen Barrett | 1863–1868 | | Died in office | [2][8] [6] |
| | | Charles G. Wicker | 1865–1869 | | Later elected alderman again in 1872 in 13th ward | | 31st | | | Stephen Barrett | 1863–1868 | | Died in office | [2][8] [6] |
| | | Charles G. Wicker | 1865–1869 | | Later elected alderman again in 1872 in 13th ward | | 32nd | | | Stephen Barrett | 1863–1868 | | Died in office | [2][8] [6] |
| | | Charles G. Wicker | 1865–1869 | | Later elected alderman again in 1872 in 13th ward | | 32nd | | | James Hahn | 1868–1870 | | Previously served in 1st and 3rd wards | |
| | | Charles G. Wicker | 1865–1869 | | Later elected alderman again in 1872 in 13th ward | | 33rd | | | James Hahn | 1868–1870 | | Previously served in 1st and 3rd wards | |
| | | Joseph A. Montgomery | 1869–1871 | Democratic | | | 34th | | | James Hahn | 1868–1870 | | Previously served in 1st and 3rd wards | |
| | | Joseph A. Montgomery | 1869–1871 | Democratic | | | 35th | | | David Coey | 1870–1876 | | | |
| | | John W. McGenniss | 1871–1873 | | | | 36th | | | David Coey | 1870–1876 | | | |
| | | John W. McGenniss | 1871–1873 | | | | 37th | | | David Coey | 1870–1876 | | | |
| | | William Fitzgerald | 1873–1876 | | | | 38th | | | David Coey | 1870–1876 | | | |
| | | William Fitzgerald | 1873–1876 | | | | 39th | | | David Coey | 1870–1876 | | | |
| | | William Aldrich | 1876–1877 | Republican | | | 40th | | | John L. Thompson | 1876–1878 | | | |
| | | Eugene Cary | 1877–1879 | Republican | | | 41st | | | John L. Thompson | 1876–1878 | | | |
| | | Eugene Cary | 1877–1879 | Republican | | | 42nd | | | O.B. Phelps | 1878–1880 | Republican | | |
| | | John M. Clark | 1879–1881 | Republican | | | 43rd | | | O.B. Phelps | 1878–1880 | Republican | | |
| | | John M. Clark | 1879–1881 | Republican | | | 44th | | | Daniel L. Shorey | 1880–1886 | Republican | | |
| | | O.B. Phelps | 1881–1883 | Republican | | | 45th | | | Daniel L. Shorey | 1880–1886 | Republican | | |
| | | O.B. Phelps | 1881–1883 | Republican | | | 46th | | | Daniel L. Shorey | 1880–1886 | Republican | | |
| | | Frank Follansbee | 1883–1885 | Republican | | | 47th | | | Daniel L. Shorey | 1880–1886 | Republican | | |
| | | Frank Follansbee | 1883–1885 | Republican | | | 48th | | | Daniel L. Shorey | 1880–1886 | Republican | | |
| | | Charles W. Drew | 1885–1887 | Republican | | | 49th | | | Daniel L. Shorey | 1880–1886 | Republican | | |
| | | Charles W. Drew | 1885–1887 | Republican | | | 50th | | | David H. Gile | 1886–1888 | Republican | | |
| | | John H. Hamline | 1887–1888 | Republican | Redistricted to 2nd ward in 1888 | | 51st | | | David H. Gile | 1886–1888 | Republican | | |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 52nd | | | Anson Gorton | 1888–1892 | | | |
| | | Laban B. Dixon | 1889–1893 | | | | 53rd | | | Anson Gorton | 1888–1892 | | | |
| | | Laban B. Dixon | 1889–1893 | | | | 54th | | | Anson Gorton | 1888–1892 | | | |
| | | Laban B. Dixon | 1889–1893 | | | | 55th | | | Anson Gorton | 1888–1892 | | | |
| | | Laban B. Dixon | 1889–1893 | | | | 56th | | | Edward Marrenner | 1892–1896 | Republican | | |
| | | Eli E. Smith | 1893–1895 | | | | 57th | | | Edward Marrenner | 1892–1896 | Republican | | |
| | | Eli E. Smith | 1893–1895 | | | | 58th | | | Edward Marrenner | 1892–1896 | Republican | | |
| | | Noble Brandon Judah Sr. | 1895–1897 | | | | 59th | | | Edward Marrenner | 1892–1896 | Republican | | |
| | | Noble Brandon Judah Sr. | 1895–1897 | | | | 60th | | | Henry S. Fitch | 1896–1900 | | | |
| | | Charles Alling | 1897–1901 | | Redistricted to 2nd ward in 1901 | | 61st | | | Henry S. Fitch | 1896–1900 | | | |
| | | Charles Alling | 1897–1901 | | Redistricted to 2nd ward in 1901 | | 62nd | | | Henry S. Fitch | 1896–1900 | | | |
| | | Charles Alling | 1897–1901 | | Redistricted to 2nd ward in 1901 | | 63rd | | | Henry S. Fitch | 1896–1900 | | | |
| | | Charles Alling | 1897–1901 | | Redistricted to 2nd ward in 1901 | | 64th | | | Thomas J. Dixon | 1900–1901 | | Redistricted to 2nd ward in 1901 | |
| | | Milton J. Foreman | 1901–1911 | Republican | Redistricted from 4th ward | | 65th | | | William S. Jackson | 1901–1904 | | Redistricted from 4th ward | |
| | | Milton J. Foreman | 1901–1911 | Republican | Redistricted from 4th ward | | 66th | | | William S. Jackson | 1901–1904 | | Redistricted from 4th ward | |
| | | Milton J. Foreman | 1901–1911 | Republican | Redistricted from 4th ward | | 67th | | | William S. Jackson | 1901–1904 | | Redistricted from 4th ward | |
| | | Milton J. Foreman | 1901–1911 | Republican | Redistricted from 4th ward | | 68th | | | William J. Pringle | 1904–1912 | | | |
| | | Milton J. Foreman | 1901–1911 | Republican | Redistricted from 4th ward | | 69th | | | William J. Pringle | 1904–1912 | | | |
| | | Milton J. Foreman | 1901–1911 | Republican | Redistricted from 4th ward | | 70th | | | William J. Pringle | 1904–1912 | | | |
| | | Milton J. Foreman | 1901–1911 | Republican | Redistricted from 4th ward | | 71st | | | William J. Pringle | 1904–1912 | | | |
| | | Milton J. Foreman | 1901–1911 | Republican | Redistricted from 4th ward | | 72nd | | | William J. Pringle | 1904–1912 | | | |
| | | Milton J. Foreman | 1901–1911 | Republican | Redistricted from 4th ward | | 73rd | | | William J. Pringle | 1904–1912 | | | |
| | | Milton J. Foreman | 1901–1911 | Republican | Redistricted from 4th ward | | 74th | | | William J. Pringle | 1904–1912 | | | |
| | | Albert R. Tearney | 1911–1912 | | | | 75th | | | William J. Pringle | 1904–1912 | | | |
| | | Albert R. Tearney | 1911–1912 | | | | 76th | | | Simon D. Mayer | 1912–1914 | | | |
| | | Thomas D. Nash | 1913–1915 | Democratic | | | 77th | | | Simon D. Mayer | 1912–1914 | | | |
| | | Thomas D. Nash | 1913–1915 | Democratic | | | 78th | | | Jacob Lindheimer | 1914–1915 | | | |
| | | Edward J. Werner | 1915–1917 | Republican | | | 79th | | | Nathaniel R. Stern | 1915–1916 | Republican | | |
| | | Edward J. Werner | 1915–1917 | Republican | | | 80th | | | Ulysses S. Schwartz | 1916–1923 | Democratic | Continued as alderman after 1923, but redistricted to 4th ward | |
| | | George F. Iliff | 1917–1919 | Democratic | | | 81st | | | Ulysses S. Schwartz | 1916–1923 | Democratic | Continued as alderman after 1923, but redistricted to 4th ward | |
| | | George F. Iliff | 1917–1919 | Democratic | | | 82nd | | | Ulysses S. Schwartz | 1916–1923 | Democratic | Continued as alderman after 1923, but redistricted to 4th ward | |
| | | John H. Passmore | 1919–1921 | | | | 83rd | | | Ulysses S. Schwartz | 1916–1923 | Democratic | Continued as alderman after 1923, but redistricted to 4th ward | |
| | | John H. Passmore | 1919–1921 | | | | 84th | | | Ulysses S. Schwartz | 1916–1923 | Democratic | Continued as alderman after 1923, but redistricted to 4th ward | |
| | | John H. Johntry | 1921–1923 | | | | 85th | | | Ulysses S. Schwartz | 1916–1923 | Democratic | Continued as alderman after 1923, but redistricted to 4th ward | |
| | | John H. Johntry | 1921–1923 | | | | 86th | | | Ulysses S. Schwartz | 1916–1923 | Democratic | Continued as alderman after 1923, but redistricted to 4th ward | |

### Since 1923

Since 1923, wards have been represented by a single alderman. Elections have also been nonpartisan, though officeholders often still publicly affiliate with parties.
| Alderperson | Term in office | Party | Notes |
| Robert R. Jackson | April 16, 1923 – April 12, 1939 | Republican | Had been serving then-2nd ward since 1918 |
| Benjaim A. Grant | April 12, 1939 – April 9, 1943 | Democratic | Lost re-election |
| Oscar Stanton De Priest | April 9, 1943 – 1947 | Republican | Had previously served then-2nd ward from 1915 to 1917 |
| Archibald Carey Jr. | 1947 – 1955 | Republican | |
| Ralph Metcalfe | 1955 – December 1970 | Democratic | Resigned in order to take office as a U.S. congressman |
| Tyrone T. Kenner | February 23, 1971 – February 11, 1985 | | |
| Dorothy Tillman | February 11, 1985 – April 27, 2007 | Democratic | |
| Pat Dowell | April 27, 2007 – Present | Democratic | |