Chicago Mayor Holds Unique Powers Over City Council

Chicago is the only major U.S. city where the mayor presides over the city council and has veto power.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson holds significant legislative powers as the head of the City Council, a rarity among major U.S. cities. Chicago is the only big city where the mayor presides over the city council and has the power to veto legislation, giving the executive branch more influence over the legislative branch compared to other large cities.

Why it matters

This governance structure raises questions about the balance of power and checks and balances in Chicago's city government. Reforms to allow the city council to elect its own presiding officer or limit the mayor's ability to appoint council vacancies could help strengthen the legislative branch's independence.

The details

Among the top 15 biggest U.S. cities by population, Chicago is the only one where the mayor presides over the City Council and has the power to veto legislation. This is in contrast to other major cities where the council elects its own Speaker or Council President, creating more of an independent legislative body. In cities with a council-manager governance structure, the mayor typically has little executive authority beyond presiding over council meetings.

  • In a recent interview, Mayor Johnson acknowledged Chicago's unique governance structure, saying 'Don't get any ideas, you all. It's working well for me.'

The players

Brandon Johnson

The current mayor of Chicago, who holds significant legislative powers as the head of the City Council.

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What they’re saying

“Chicago is unique in that the mayor, the executive, also presides over the legislative branch.”

— Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago (Twitch streamer Hasan Piker)

What’s next

Reforms to Chicago's governance structure, such as allowing the City Council to elect its own presiding officer or limiting the mayor's ability to appoint council vacancies, could help strengthen the legislative branch's independence and create more checks and balances on the executive branch.

The takeaway

Chicago's mayor holds unique powers compared to other major U.S. cities, presiding over the City Council and wielding veto authority. This raises concerns about the balance of power and potential reforms to enhance legislative independence and oversight.