Committeepeople (Cook County, Illinois)

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Ward Committeepeople and Township Committeepeople are political party officials who serve many standard committeemen duties on behalf of their political party in Cook County, Illinois.

Contents

Structure and election

The city of Chicago, the largest municipality in Cook County, elects committeepeople (known as "committeemen" until 2018) from each of its 50 wards. [1] [2] [3] [4] Each of the 30 suburban civil townships in Cook County also elect committeepeople from each township. [1] [5] [6] Each established party in Cook County, currently Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians, elects its own committeeperson.

Elections for Chicago ward committeepeople coincide with the primaries for presidential candidates, [7] while elections for township committeepeople coincide with primaries for gubernatorial candidates.

Roles

The positions are unpaid, with responsibilities that include voter registration, community forums, election materials, and election operations. [1] In Chicago, the committeepeople are responsible for producing smooth political processes during the elections in their wards, which includes attempting to produce high voter turnout. [8]

Committeepeople are voting members in the political organization of their party in the County. [8] This role gives them authority on behalf of the party to select replacements for some vacated political posts such as United States Representative and state legislators. Replacements for some other vacancies are selected through other processes: vacated United States Senate posts are appointed by the Illinois Governor and vacated Chicago City Council posts are appointed by the Mayor of Chicago. [9] [10] [11]

Operationally in Chicago, the committeeperson plays an important role in ward politics. The post of alderman and committeeperson are often closely linked: sometimes the former controls the latter and sometimes the same person holds both posts. [1] In many cases, the committeeman also has influence over the doling out of jobs, favors, and services around the ward. Sometimes a committeeperson accumulates sufficient influence to place their loyalists into political positions outside of the ward. [1]

Cook County Democratic Party

As of March 2024. [12]

Constituency
(ward or township)		NameStartOther Office(s) Held
1st Ward Daniel La Spata 2020Member of the Chicago City Council (2019–present)
2nd WardTim Egan2016None
3rd Ward Pat Dowell 2008Member of the Chicago City Council (2007–present)
4th Ward Toni Preckwinkle 1992 [13] Chair of the Cook County Democratic Party (2018–present), President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners (2010–present), Member of the Chicago City Council (1991–2010)
5th Ward Leslie Hairston 2000Member of the Chicago City Council (1999–2023)
6th Ward Roderick Sawyer 2012Member of the Chicago City Council (2011–2023)
7th Ward Greg Mitchell 2016Member of the Chicago City Council (2015–present)
8th Ward Michelle Harris 2008Member of the Chicago City Council (2006–present)
9th Ward Anthony Beale 2000Member of the Chicago City Council (1999–present)
10th Ward Susan Sadlowski Garza 2016Member of the Chicago City Council (2015–2023)
11th Ward John Daley 1980 [14] Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners (1992–present), Member of the Illinois Senate (1989–1992), Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (1985–1989)
12th Ward George Cardenas 2020Member of the Cook County Board of Review (2022–present), Member of the Chicago City Council (2003–2022)
13th Ward Mike Madigan 1972 [14] Chair of the Illinois Democratic Party (1998–2021), Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives (1997–2021, 1983–1995), Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives (1995–1997, 1981–1983), Majority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives (1977–1981), Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (1971–2021)
14th Ward Aarón Ortíz 2020Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2019–present)
15th Ward Ray Lopez 2012Member of the Chicago City Council (2015–present)
16th Ward Stephanie Coleman 2016Member of the Chicago City Council (2019–present)
17th Ward David Moore 2016Member of the Chicago City Council (2015–present)
18th Ward Derrick Curtis 2016Member of the Chicago City Council (2015–present)
19th Ward Matt O'Shea 2012Member of the Chicago City Council (2011–present)
20th Ward Mattie Hunter 2020Member of the Illinois Senate (2003–present)
21st Ward Howard Brookins 2004Member of the Chicago City Council (2003–2023)
22nd Ward Mike Rodriguez 2016Member of the Chicago City Council (2019–present)
23rd Ward Silvana Tabares 2020Member of the Chicago City Council (2018–present), Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2013–2018)
24th Ward Michael Scott 2016Member of the Chicago Board of Education (2022–present), Member of the Chicago City Council (2015–2022)
25th Ward Byron Sigcho-Lopez 2020Member of the Chicago City Council (2019–present)
26th WardAngee Gonzalez Rodriguez2020None
27th Ward Walter Burnett 2013 [15] Vice Mayor of Chicago (2023–present), Member of the Chicago City Council (1995–present)
28th Ward Jason Ervin 2012Member of the Chicago City Council (2011–present)
29th Ward Chris Taliaferro 2016Member of the Chicago City Council (2015–present)
30th Ward Ariel Reboyras 2006Member of the Chicago City Council (2003–2023)
31st Ward Felix Cardona 2020Member of the Chicago City Council (2019–present)
32nd Ward Scott Waguespack 2012Member of the Chicago City Council (2007–present)
33nd Ward Iris Martinez 2020 Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County (2020–2024), Member of the Illinois Senate (2003–2020)
34th WardPreston Brown2020None
35th Ward Carlos Ramirez-Rosa 2022Member of the Chicago City Council (2015–present)
36th Ward Gil Villegas 2020Member of the Chicago City Council (2015–present)
37th Ward Emma Mitts 2004Member of the Chicago City Council (2000–present)
38th Ward Rob Martwick 2017 [16] Member of the Illinois Senate (2019–present), Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2013–2019)
39th Ward Ram Villivalam 2019Member of the Illinois Senate (2019–present)
40th Ward Maggie O'Keefe2020None
41st WardJoe Cook2020None
42nd Ward Brendan Reilly 2008President pro tempore of the Chicago City Council (2019–2023), Vice Mayor of Chicago (2015–2019), Member of the Chicago City Council (2007–present)
43rd WardLucy Moog2016None
44th Ward Tom Tunney 2004 Vice Mayor of Chicago (2019–2023), Member of the Chicago City Council (2003–2023)
45th Ward Jim Gardiner 2020Member of the Chicago City Council (2019–present)
46th WardSean Tenner2018None [17]
47th WardPaul Rosenfeld2015None
48th Ward Harry Osterman 2020Member of the Chicago City Council (2011–2023), Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2000–2011)
49th Ward Kelly Cassidy 2019Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2011–present)
50th Ward Debra Silverstein 2019Member of the Chicago City Council (2011–present)
Barrington Township Robert SteffenMember of the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board [18]
Berwyn Township Robert LoveroMayor of Berwyn [19]
Bloom Township Monica Gordon
Bremen Township Vernard Alsberry Hazelcrest Village President [20]
Calumet Township Bob Rita Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2003–present)
Cicero Township Larry Dominick
Elk Grove Township Ted MasonNone
Evanston Daniel Biss2024Mayor of Evanston (2021-present), Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2011-2013), Member of the Illinois Senate (2013-2019)
Hanover Township Adriana Barriga-Green
Lemont Township Kvin Ameriks
Leyden Township Barrett PedersenMayor of Franklin Park [21]
Lyons Township Steven Landek Member of the Illinois Senate (2011–present)
Maine Township Laura Murphy Member of the Illinois Senate (2015–present)
New Trier Township Dean MaragosNone
Niles Township Josina Morita
Northfield Township Tracy Katz MuhlNone
Norwood Park Township Frank AvinoNone
Oak Park Township Don Harmon President of the Illinois Senate (2020–present), President pro tempore of the Illinois Senate (2011–2019), Member of the Illinois Senate (2003–present)
Orland Township Beth McElroy Kirkwood
Palatine Township Maria GaloNone
Palos Township Robert MaloneyNone
Proviso Township Karen Yarbrough Acting Chair of the Illinois Democratic Party (2021), Clerk of Cook County (2018–present), Cook County Recorder of Deeds (2012–2018), Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2001–2012)
Rich Township Calvin JordanRich Township Highway Inspector, Trustee of Rich Township Schools, and member of Village of Hazel Crest Economic Development Board [22]
River Forest Township Cathy Adduci
Riverside Township Micheal Zalewski Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2008–2023)
Schaumburg Township Mike CudzikNone
Stickney Township Vincent CainkarNone
Thornton Township Napoleon Harris Member of the Illinois Senate (2013–present)
Wheeling Township Mark Walker Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2019–present, 2009–2011)
Worth Township Patricia MurphyNone

Cook County Republican Party

As of December 2024. [23] [24]

Constituency
(ward or township)		NameStartOther Office(s) Held
1st WardVacant
2nd WardCJ Gallo2024None
3rd WardAlan Rasho2024
4th Ward Paul McKinley2024None
5th Ward Tyler Shasteen 2024
6th WardCharles Earl Williams2024
7th WardDave Lottich2024
8th WardLynn FrancoNone
9th WardWayland JohnsonNone
10th WardYolanda Deanda2024
11th Ward Vacant——
12th WardVacantNone
13th WardHoracio Aguilera2024
14th WardVacant——
15th WardRosa PritchettNone
16th WardLeonard Griffin2024
17th WardVacant——
18th WardDevin Jones2020
19th WardDeclan Smith2024None
20th WardMaurissa Langon2024
21st WardRonald Fields2024
22nd WardLupe Castillo2024
23rd WardCarlos Alvarez2024
24th WardSteven Valtierra2024
25th WardVacant
26th WardVacant
27th WardSteve Boulton2024Former Chairman of the Chicago Republican Party
28th WardTamiko Holt2024
29th WardWalter Adamczyk
30th WardEdward Karecki
31st WardRamona Bonilla-Anaiel
32nd WardCairy Littlejohn2024
33rd WardJason Proctor2024
34th WardChristopher Myers2024
35th WardGladys Tanchez2024
36th WardVacant——
37th WardVelda Brunner2024
38th WardChuck HernandezChairman of the Chicago Republican Party
39th WardBarry Bebart
40th Ward Gigi Gavron2024None
41st WardAmmie Kessem
42nd WardKurt Fujio2024
43rd WardBrian Kasal
44th WardLaura Kotelman
45th WardEstela Richards2024
46th WardEvan Kasal2024
47th WardGary Mandell2024
48th WardBeth Ruegg2024
49th WardJames Hazard
50th WardDaniel Kelley2024
Barrington Township Peter Kopsaftis2020 [25] None
Berwyn Township Vacant
Bloom Township Lisa Kristina
Bremen Township Max SolomonNone
Calumet Township Vacant——
Cicero Township Sandra TomschinNone
Elk Grove Township Ed LapinskiNone
Evanston Sean MatlisNone
Hanover Township Michael Baumer Streamwood Village Trustee [26]
Lemont Township Michael Shackel Lemont Township Trustee [27]
Leyden Township Brad Stephens Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2019–present)
Lyons Township Terry CarrNone
Maine Township Jim Stinson
New Trier Township Julie ChoNone
Niles Township Mark Albers2024None
Northfield Township T. J. BrownNone
Norwood Park Township George BallisNone
Oak Park Township John BergholzNone
Orland Township Cindy Nelson KatsenesNone
Palatine Township Aaron Del MarPalatine Township Highway Commissioner [28]
Palos Township Sean Morrison Chair of the Cook County Republican Party (2016–present), Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners (2015–present) [29] [30]
Proviso Township Mike CorriganNone
Rich Township Eric WallaceNone
River Forest Township Tom CroninNone
Riverside Township Jay ReyesNone
Schaumburg Township Joeseph FolisiNone
Stickney Township Natasa DzolicMember of Stickney, Illinois Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission [31]
Thornton Township Tim DeYoung
Wheeling Township Kathy PennerWheeling Township Supervisor
Worth Township Shaun MurphyNone

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ask Chicagoist: What's a Ward Committeeman?". Chicagoist. Gothamist LLC. February 26, 2007. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved November 19, 2008.
  2. ↑ "Party Officials: Democratic Ward Committeemen". Cook County Clerk's Office. Archived from the original on August 21, 2007. Retrieved November 18, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Party Officials: Republican Ward Committeemen". Cook County Clerk's Office. Archived from the original on August 21, 2007. Retrieved November 18, 2008.
  4. ↑ Hinton, Rachel (November 25, 2019). "Is name change for ward bosses a breath of fresh air for Chicago's smoke-filled rooms". Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Party Officials: Democratic Township Committeemen". Cook County Clerk's Office. Archived from the original on July 23, 2007. Retrieved November 18, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Party Officials: Republican Township Committeemen". Cook County Clerk's Office. Archived from the original on April 10, 2006. Retrieved November 18, 2008.
  7. ↑ Long, Ray (October 16, 2007). "Why you already may be noticing politicians". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved November 18, 2008.
  8. 1 2 Satre, Tully (January 30, 2008). "Tom Tunney and a Committeeman's Role". Windy City Times . Windy City Media Group. Retrieved November 18, 2008.
  9. ↑ Barone, Michael (August 22, 2008). "Obama Needs to Explain His Ties to William Ayers". U.S. News & World Report . U.S. News & World Report, L.P. Retrieved November 18, 2008.
  10. ↑ Davey, Monica (November 12, 2008). "Picking Obama Successor Puts Spotlight on Governor". The New York Times . Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  11. ↑ Sidoti, Liz (November 13, 2008). "Obama to Resign Senate Seat on Sunday". Time . Time Inc. Archived from the original on November 22, 2008. Retrieved November 22, 2008.
  12. ↑ "Cook County Democratic Committeepeople". www.cookcountydems.com. Cook County Democratic Party. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  13. ↑ Sweet, Lynn (December 10, 1991). "'92 primary candidates are off to the races". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 4. Retrieved December 11, 2008.
    Sweet, Lynn (December 20, 1991). "Political briefings". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 34. Retrieved December 11, 2008.
    "Chicago ward committeemen". Chicago Tribune. March 19, 1992. p. 22. Retrieved December 11, 2008.
  14. 1 2 Fremon, David K. (October 22, 1988). Chicago Politics Ward by Ward. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. ISBN   0-253-31344-9 . Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Biography". Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. Retrieved March 26, 2018. Burnett was appointed Committeeman of the 27th Ward Organization by his mentor, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, (and former Committeeman of the 27th Ward) on July 6, 2013.
  16. ↑ "'Independent' Sposato To Step Down As Dem Committeeman, Stay On As Alderman". DNAinfo.com. October 10, 2017. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Cook County Democratic Committeempeople". www.cookcountydems.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  18. ↑ "PTAB - Board Member Robert J. Steffen". www.ptab.illinois.gov. Property Tax Appeal Board. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Mayor Lovero Biography | City of Berwyn". berwyn-il.gov. Berwyn, Illinois. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Village Officials – Village of Hazelcrest". villageofhazelcrest.org. Village of Hazelcrest. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Mayor's Office | Village of Franklin Park". www.villageoffranklinpark.com. Village of Franklin Park. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Calvin Jordan, Highway Commissioner | Elected Officials". www.richtownship.org. Rich Township. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Ward Committeemen". Cook County Republican Party.
  24. ↑ "Township Committeemen". Cook County Republican Party. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Barrington Township Republican Organization President Peter Kopsaftis Appointed as Committeeperson – BTRO". Barrington Township Republican Organization. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Streamwood, Illinois - President And Board of Trustees". www.streamwood.org. Streamwood, Illinois. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  27. ↑ Earnest, Andrea (January 15, 2020). "Lemont Township Trustee Resigns, New Trustee Appointed". Lemont, IL Patch. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Forms & Permits". Palatine Township Road District. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Sean M. Morrison | CookCountyIL.gov". www.cookcountyil.gov. Coo County, Illinois. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Leadership". Cook County Republican Party. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission « Village of Stickney". www.villageofstickney.com. Village of Stickney. Retrieved June 9, 2020.

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