An alderman in Chicago is a member of the Chicago City Council, which is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago in Illinois. The City of Chicago is divided into fifty legislative districts or wards, and each district is represented by an alderman who is elected by their constituency to serve a four-year term. Aldermen are responsible for representing the interests of their ward residents, and together the fifty aldermen comprise the Chicago City Council, which serves as the legislative branch of government of the City of Chicago. The legislative powers of the City Council are granted by the state legislature and by home rule provisions of the Illinois constitution. Within specified limits, the City Council has the general authority to exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs including, but not limited to, the power to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; to license; to tax; and to incur debt. Aldermen are often considered the mini-mayors of their ward, and they have a surprising amount of power over what happens on their home turf. They are responsible for proposing and vetting legislation in City Hall, especially the citys annual budget. Aldermen also have the final say on any big development in their ward due to a principle called aldermanic privilege.