Board of Aldermen Seniority
Every two years the seniority list at the Board of Aldermen changes. On rare occasions new members are elected but also those who are first sworn on the same date get their pecking order decided at a Democratic Caucus meeting.  The Alderman with the most years has the least seniority — Republican Fred Heitert. Heitert was first sworn into office on April 17 1979 — 30 years ago.
With 3 new Aldermen and the start of a new session I thought I’d share the new seniority list with you:
As you’ll see there are 8 different groupings of Aldermen who share a first sworn date ranging from Phyllis Young & Alfred Wessels on April 16, 1985 to Antonio French, Joe Vaccaro & Shane Cohn sworn in this past Tuesday.
Some moved up, some moved down a spot. Except Heitert.
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So what perks come with seniority?
What is granted by this ranking ?
The most important perks of seniority are the order of selecting committee chairmanships within the majority caucus and the chance to serve as vice president of the board of aldermen.
In the event of the absence of the the president, the vice president (the most senior alderman) presides over the board as acting president. And in the unusual event of the absence of both the mayor and the president of the board of aldermen, the vice president (the most senior alderman) is the acting mayor.
How are ties broken?
For example, who decided that of the three freshmen, Antonio French is the most senior, then Joe Vaccaro then Shane Cohn?
^ Coin, cards, or agreement.
I pulled an Ace 🙂