John Pikarski has been a zoning attorney in Chicago since 1969. Like many in his field, he's seen the good and bad of an unofficial practice that's as Chicago as the precinct captain and the ward boss ...

Alderman Brendan Reilly oversees one of Chicago’s most active wards. The 42nd is the epicenter of tourism, with attractions like the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier and Millennium Park, and most of the ...

Incoming Mayor Lori Lightfoot on May 14 unveiled plans for reining in so-called aldermanic prerogative—the unwritten practice, seemingly unique to Chicago, that gives aldermen unlimited say-so over ...

Down the road, Chicagoans will bear witness to two landmark corruption trials featuring a pair of political behemoths — Ald. Edward Burke and former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. The dates ...

Federal officials are criticizing Chicago for letting aldermen limit affordable housing opportunities through a controversial but long-standing practice known as aldermanic privilege over local ...

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago's aldermen have for decades wielded power of licensing, permitting and zoning in their wards, but is that power being abused? It is often referred to as aldermanic prerogative ...