The aldermanic prerogative began in the mid-19th century. Chicago alderman had a duty to vet and budget for improvements in their wards. Eventually, aldermanic control over a ward’s improvement extended to zoning issues and the power to issue permits and variances — a power that many feel has led to abuses and opportunities for graft.In an effort to curb the potential for aldermanic corruption and abuses of power — and aldermen’s temptations to place their own interests before the interests of their …