[1] The council is called into session regularly, usually monthly, to consider ordinances, orders, and resolutions whose subject matter includes code changes, utilities, taxes, and many other issues.

The presiding officer of the council is the Mayor of Chicago, who is usually non-voting, except in rare cases, such as to break a tie.

After a hearing and deliberation process, the committee votes on whether to report the proposed legislation to the full council, along with recommendations.

[38] Chicago is unusual among major United States cities in the number of wards and representative alderpersons that it maintains.

It has been noted that the current ward system promotes diverse ethnic and cultural representation on the city council.

[43][44] The first conviction of Chicago alderpersons and Cook County Commissioners for accepting bribes to rig a crooked contract occurred in 1869.

A run-off election, if no candidate garners more than fifty percent of the vote, is held on the first Tuesday in April.

The Council also has the power to redraw ward boundaries, resulting in the heavily gerrymandered map seen today.

[55][56] Between May 18, 2011, and August 2011, the first 100 days of the first term of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, 2,845 ordinances and orders were introduced to the Council.

[58][59] This is an unwritten and informal practice that emerged in the early 20th century and gives alderpersons control over "zoning, licenses, permits, property-tax reductions, city contracts and patronage jobs" in their wards.