Government

The Next Ward is governed by the Levee. Under the Charter, the Levee exercises all legislative, executive, judicial and fiscal authority of the Ward. It is in session whenever the light is on at the Seat.

Officials

Office	Holder	Term
Alderman of the Next Ward	On file with the Ward Clerk	Until the next remap
Treasurer of the Levee	On file with the Ward Clerk	Until the next remap
Ward Clerk	Vacant	Duties performed by the Treasurer
Keeper of the Standard Schooner	Vacant	Duties performed by the Treasurer

Departments

Department	Responsibilities	Hours
Office of the Alderman	Constituent services, proclamations, ribbon cuttings	When the light is on
Treasury of the Levee	Issue and verification of Clout; the Register	When the light is on
Levee Mint	Overprinting of host notes; custody of dies and press	By appointment
Bureau of Weights and Measures	Custody of the Standard Schooner; inspection of pours	When the light is on
Department of Public Works	The light	As needed
Department of Streets and Sanitation	The apron, the alley and the bins	Collection day
Board of Election Commissioners	No election is scheduled	—

History of the Ward

The Ward's government takes its name from the Levee, the vice district of Chicago's old First Ward. Aldermen John “Bathhouse John” Coughlin and Michael “Hinky Dink” Kenna represented the First Ward for decades around the turn of the twentieth century. Kenna's saloon was known for selling the largest schooner of beer in the city for a nickel. Their annual First Ward Ball became one of the most notorious events in the city's history, until reformers brought it to an end.

The Next Ward claims no part of that history except the name, the Ball and the schooner.

Contact Us

The Levee does not accept correspondence by electronic mail, telephone or post at this time. Inquiries may be made in person at the Seat when the light is on.

The address of the Seat is withheld under Ordinance 2026-03.