Emma Mitts (born June 12, 1955) is alderman of the 37th ward on Chicago's West Side. The predominantly African-American ward includes portions of Austin, West Garfield Park and West Humboldt Park. She has represented the ward since 2000.[1]

Emma Mitts
Member of the Chicago City Council
from the 37th ward
Assumed office
January 7, 2000
Preceded byPercy Giles
Personal details
Born (1955-06-12) June 12, 1955 (age 69)
Elaine, Arkansas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationPhillips Community College
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Triton College

Early life

edit

Mitts was born June 12, 1955, in Elaine, Arkansas.[2]

She eventually became a coordinator of special projects for the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation[3]

Chicago City Council

edit

Mitts was appointed by Richard M. Daley to the Chicago City Council in January 2000 to replace Percy Giles who had been indicted along with other city officials in Operation Silver Shovel.[3] She has been reelected in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019. In 2006, her ward received the first Wal-Mart in Chicago. She was an opponent of the 2006 Chicago Big Box Ordinance.[4]

In the runoff of the 2019 Chicago mayoral election, Mitts endorsed Lori Lightfoot.[5] After the death of Karen Yarbrough, Mitts was appointed state central committeewoman from Illinois's 7th congressional district.[6]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Better Know A Ward: Emma Mitts's 37th". NBC Chicago. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
  2. ^ City of Chicago :: Alderman Emma Mitts Retrieved 2014-10-30.
  3. ^ a b Meyerson, Charlie; Greenfield, Jimmy (January 7, 2000). "Daley Names Emma Mitts To City Council". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  4. ^ "Meet Chicago's City Council". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. May 20, 2007. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  5. ^ "List of Endorsements in the Race for Chicago Mayor". NBC Chicago. 18 March 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  6. ^ Pepin, Gwen (April 29, 2024). "Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez Congratulates New DSCC 7th District Committeewoman Emma Mitts" (Press release). Democratic Party of Illinois. Retrieved April 29, 2024.