City Council. The Municipal Code of Chicago is the codification of Chicago's local ordinances of a general and permanent nature. Between May 18, 2011, and August 2011, the first 100 days of the first term of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, 2,845 ordinances and orders were introduced to the Council. Aldermanic privilege Chicago's alderpersons are generally given exceptional deference, called "aldermanic privilege" or "aldermanic prerogative", to control city decisions and services within their ward. This is an unwritten and informal practice that emerged in the early 20th century and gives alderman control over "zoning, licenses, permits, property-tax reductions, city contracts and patronage jobs" in their wards. Political scientists have suggested that this facilitates corruption. The system has been described as "50 aldermen serving essentially as mayors of 50 wards." See also Council Wars, a period of conflict within the City Council Cook County Board of Commissioners Workingmen's Party of Illinois 11th Ward, Chicago Aldermanic elections in Chicago List of Chicago aldermen since 1923 Notes References External links Chicago City Council Chicago City Council legislation from the City Clerk of Chicago Chicago City Council calendar from the City Clerk of Chicago Journal of the Proceedings (c. 1981–present) from the City Clerk of Chicago Journal of the Proceedings (c. 1908) from Google Books Chicago City Council meeting reports from the City Clerk of Chicago Map of Chicago Wards Your City Council: Who's who and what they can do from the Chicago Reader The Untold Stories of Alderman Don Parrillo by Anthony DeBartolo, Hyde Park Media Chicago City Council archive at the Chicago Reader 1837 establishments in Illinois