Emma Mitts

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

Early life

Mitts was born June 12, 1955, in Elaine, Arkansas.
She eventually became a coordinator of special projects for the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation

Chicago City Council

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]. She has been reelected in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 Chicago [aldermanic election#37th Ward|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].
In the runoff of the 2019 Chicago mayoral election, Mitts endorsed Lori Lightfoot. After the death of Karen Yarbrough, Mitts was appointed state central committeewoman from Illinois's 7th congressional district.