Chicago's 8th Ward

Independent Bill Cousins was elected 8th ward Alderman in 1967 and re-elected in 1971 and 1975. He resigned his seat in 1976 following his victory in a Democratic primary election for Circuit Court Judge.

Although 8th ward voters frequently opposed Machine candidates and split their tickets in general elections, Cousins hadn’t built an organization that could support a successor in an Aldermanic election.

The ward has not elected an Independent to the City Council since that time.