“Alderman” seen as “masculine” title for Bloomington council

Posted on May 9, 2019
BLOOMINGTON COUNCIL
The Bloomington City Council posed for pictures May 1 when four new members were sworn into office. (Photo by Howard Packowitz/WJBC)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Elected representatives of Bloomington’s nine wards would no longer be known as “aldermen” in the city code if the council passes a proposed ordinance Monday night.

Bloomington’s city code would be updated, referring to them as “council members,” which is a “gender neutral” term, according to the staff’s report to the council.

The report said requests for the change came from incoming council members, who were sworn into office May 1.

The title of “alderman” is considered a “masculine only” reference, according to the staff.

Five of the nine council members are women. They are Julie Emig, Donna Boelen, Jenn Carrillo, Joni Painter, and Kimberly Bray.

The Illinois MunIcipal Code and City Charter still refer to them as “aldermen,” so they’ll have to use that title on nominating petitions when they’re running for office.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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