During Council Wars Hansen was generally aligned with the "Vrdolyak 29," the block of mostly white aldermen who opposed Mayor Harold Washington.
Hansen was also an active proponent of environmentalist measures, including recycling programs and the extension of Chicago's moratorium against the creation of new landfills.
He served on the board of many community councils as well as fund raising organizations, including the John Merlo Sports Program.
After his retirement from the city council, he continued to serve as Democratic committeeman from the 44th Ward, ultimately handing over the title to Alderman Tom Tunney.
Hansen made an attempt to be a Democratic Congressional Candidate for Illinois's 5th congressional district in 2002, but when the Democratic National Committee backed Clinton Administration staffer Rahm Emanuel in the race, Hansen withdrew and soon after resigned from the 44th Ward Aldermanic seat.