# 1st ward, Chicago

The 1st Ward is one of the 50 aldermanic wards with representation in the City Council of Chicago, Illinois.

## History

By the mid-1890s, the ward's partisan lean had firmly become Democratic. The last Republican to represent the ward on the Chicago City Council was Francis P. Gleason, who left office in 1897.
In the 1940s, the ward was referred to as being the "wealthiest ward in the world".

## Past alders

The current alderperson for the 1st ward is Daniel La Spata.

### 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 |
| | | J.C. Goodhue | 1837–1838 | | | | 1st | | | Hiram Pearson | 1837–1838 | | | |
| | | E.A. Haddock | 1838–1839 | | | | 2nd | | | Eli B. Williams | 1838–1839 | | | |
| | | James A. Smith | 1839–1840 | | | | 3rd | | | Oliver H. Thompson | 1839–1840 | | | |
| | | Orsemus Morrison | 1840–1841 | | | | 4th | | | Julius Wadsworth | 1840–1841 | | | |
| | | John Davlin | 1841–1842 | | | | 5th | | | Charles Follansbee | 1841–1842 | | | |
| | | John Calhoun | 1842–1843 | | | | 6th | | | Norman B. Judd | 1842–1843 | | | |
| | | Cyrenus Beers | 1843–1844 | | | | 7th | | | Hugh T. Dickey | 1843–1844 | | | |
| | | John P. Chapin | 1844–1845 | Whig | | | 8th | | | Asher Rossiter | 1844–1845 | | | |
| | | Thomas Church | 1845–1846 | | | | 9th | | | J. Young Scammon | 1845–1846 | Whig | | |
| | | Levi Boone | 1846–1847 | | Redistricted to 2nd ward in 1847 | | 10th | | | George Manierre | 1846–1847 | Democratic | | |
| | | James Hutchinson Woodworth | 1847–1848 | | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 11th | | | Peter L. Updike | 1847–1849 | | | |
| | | Edward Manierre | 1848–1849 | | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 12th | | | Peter L. Updike | 1847–1849 | | | |
| | | James Carney | 1849–1851 | | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 13th | | | R.C. Bristol | 1849 | | | |
| | | James Carney | 1849–1851 | | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 13th | | | Peter Page | 1849–1852 | | Previously served in 2nd ward | |
| | | James Carney | 1849–1851 | | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 14th | | | Peter Page | 1849–1852 | | Previously served in 2nd ward | |
| | | John Sears Jr. | 1851–1853 | | | | 15th | | | Peter Page | 1849–1852 | | Previously served in 2nd ward | |
| | | John Sears Jr. | 1851–1853 | | | | 16th | | | Eli B. Williams | 1852–1855 | | | |
| | | A.D. Taylor | 1853–1855 | | | | 17th | | | Eli B. Williams | 1852–1855 | | | |
| | | A.D. Taylor | 1853–1855 | | | | 18th | | | Eli B. Williams | 1852–1855 | | | |
| | | Sylvester Sexton | 1855–1857 | | | | 19th | | | James Long | 1855–1860 | | | |
| | | Sylvester Sexton | 1855–1857 | | | | 20th | | | James Long | 1855–1860 | | | |
| | | William Bross | 1857–1859 | Republican | | | 21st | | | James Long | 1855–1860 | | | |
| | | William Bross | 1857–1859 | Republican | | | 22nd | | | James Long | 1855–1860 | | | |
| | | J.K. Botsford | 1859–1863 | | | | 23rd | | | James Long | 1855–1860 | | | |
| | | J.K. Botsford | 1859–1863 | | | | 24th | | | William Colby | 1860–1862 | | Previously served in 4th ward | |
| | | J.K. Botsford | 1859–1863 | | | | 25th | | | William Colby | 1860–1862 | | Previously served in 4th ward | |
| | | J.K. Botsford | 1859–1863 | | | | 26th | | | John T. Edwards | 1862–1863 | | Redistricted to 4th ward in 1863 | |
| | | James Hahn | 1863–1864 | | Redistricted from 3rd ward; later elected alderman again in 1867 in 3rd ward | | 27th | | | Andrew Schall | 1863–1864 | | Redistricted from 4th ward | |
| | | George W. Gage | 1864–1866 | Republican | | | 28th | | | Charles D. Peacock Sr. | 1864–1865 | | | |
| | | George W. Gage | 1864–1866 | Republican | | | 29th | | | Joshua C. Knickerbocker | 1865–1869 | | | |
| | | William Cox | 1866–1870 | | | | 30th | | | Joshua C. Knickerbocker | 1865–1869 | | | |
| | | William Cox | 1866–1870 | | | | 31st | | | Joshua C. Knickerbocker | 1865–1869 | | | |
| | | William Cox | 1866–1870 | | | | 32nd | | | Joshua C. Knickerbocker | 1865–1869 | | | |
| | | William Cox | 1866–1870 | | | | 33rd | | | Joshua C. Knickerbocker | 1865–1869 | | | |
| | | William Cox | 1866–1870 | | | | 34th | | | Richard Sommers | 1869–1871 | | | |
| | | Joshua C. Knickerbocker | 1870–1872 | | | | 35th | | | Richard Sommers | 1869–1871 | | | |
| | | Joshua C. Knickerbocker | 1870–1872 | | | | 36th | | | Chauncey T. Bowen | 1871–1873 | | | |
| | | William H. Richardson | 1872–1876 | | | | 37th | | | Chauncey T. Bowen | 1871–1873 | | | |
| | | William H. Richardson | 1872–1876 | | | | 38th | | | Thomas Foley | 1873–1876 | | | |
| | | William H. Richardson | 1872–1876 | | | | 39th | | | Thomas Foley | 1873–1876 | | | |
| | | Daniel Kimball Pearsons | 1876–1879 | | | | 40th | | | John T. McAuley | 1876–1878 | | | |
| | | Daniel Kimball Pearsons | 1876–1879 | | | | 41st | | | John T. McAuley | 1876–1878 | | | |
| | | Daniel Kimball Pearsons | 1876–1879 | | | | 42nd | | | Murray F. Tuley | 1878–1879 | | | |
| | | Daniel Kimball Pearsons | 1876–1879 | | | | 42nd | | | Swayne Wickersham | 1879–1884 | Democratic | | |
| | | Arthur Dixon | 1879-1891 | Republican | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 43rd | | | Swayne Wickersham | 1879–1884 | Democratic | | |
| | | Arthur Dixon | 1879-1891 | Republican | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 44th | | | Swayne Wickersham | 1879–1884 | Democratic | | |
| | | Arthur Dixon | 1879-1891 | Republican | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 45th | | | Swayne Wickersham | 1879–1884 | Democratic | | |
| | | Arthur Dixon | 1879-1891 | Republican | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 46th | | | Swayne Wickersham | 1879–1884 | Democratic | | |
| | | Arthur Dixon | 1879-1891 | Republican | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 47th | | | Swayne Wickersham | 1879–1884 | Democratic | | |
| | | Arthur Dixon | 1879-1891 | Republican | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 48th | | | William P. Whelan | 1884–1890 | Democratic | | |
| | | Arthur Dixon | 1879-1891 | Republican | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 49th | | | William P. Whelan | 1884–1890 | Democratic | | |
| | | Arthur Dixon | 1879-1891 | Republican | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 50th | | | William P. Whelan | 1884–1890 | Democratic | | |
| | | Arthur Dixon | 1879-1891 | Republican | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 51st | | | William P. Whelan | 1884–1890 | Democratic | | |
| | | Arthur Dixon | 1879-1891 | Republican | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 52nd | | | William P. Whelan | 1884–1890 | Democratic | | |
| | | Arthur Dixon | 1879-1891 | Republican | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 53rd | | | William P. Whelan | 1884–1890 | Democratic | | |
| | | Arthur Dixon | 1879-1891 | Republican | Previously served in 2nd ward | | 54th | | | Nicholas A. Cremer | 1890–1892 | | | |
| | | John R. Morris | 1891–1893 | | | | 55th | | | Nicholas A. Cremer | 1890–1892 | | | |
| | | John R. Morris | 1891–1893 | | | | 56th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Louis I. Epstean | 1893–1895 | | | | 57th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Louis I. Epstean | 1893–1895 | | | | 58th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Francis P. Gleason | 1895–1897 | Republican | | | 59th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Francis P. Gleason | 1895–1897 | Republican | | | 60th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 61st | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 62nd | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 63rd | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 64th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 65th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 66th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 67th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 68th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 69th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 70th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 71st | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 72nd | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 73rd | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 74th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 75th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 76th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 78th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 78th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 79th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 80th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 81st | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 82nd | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 83rd | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 84th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 85th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |
| | | Michael Kenna | 1897–1923 | Democratic | later represented ward again (1939–1943) | | 86th | | | John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, later died in office | |

### 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.
| Alderman | Term in office | Councils served in | Party | Notes |
| John Coughlin | 1892–1938 | 61st–93rd | Democratic | Continued as 1st ward alderman after 1923 switch to single-member constituencies, died in office |
| Michael Kenna | April 2, 1939 – April 9, 1943 | 94th | Democratic | Previously represented ward 1897–1923 |
| John Budinger | April 9, 1943 – 1951 | 95th, 96th | Democratic | |
| John D'Arco Sr. | 1951–1963 | 97th–99th | Democratic | |
| Michael Fiorito | February 16, 1963 – May 6, 1963 | 99th | Democratic | |
| Donald Parrillo | 1963–1968 | 100th, 101st | Democratic | Resigned |
| Fred Roti | 1968–1993 | 101st–106th | Democratic | |
| Jesse Granato | 1993–May 19, 2003 | 106th, 107th, 108th | Democratic | |
| Manuel Flores | May 19, 2003 – January 4, 2010 | 109th, 110th | Democratic | Resigned to assume office as chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission |
| Proco Joe Moreno | March 26, 2010 – May 20, 2019 | 111th, 112th, 113th | Democratic | |
| Daniel La Spata | May 20, 2019–present | 114th, 115th | Democratic | |

## See further

* First Ward Ball