Your ward would have one of seven aldermen instead of two of fourteen—the same share of the aldermanic seats. Two representatives provide another person to contact and potentially another perspective. But with one, responsibility is clearer. Residents can follow one alderman’s responsiveness, positions, and voting record.
Your one alderman could participate in more of the substantive decision making if a smaller Council does more of its detailed work together. Less effort coordinating fourteen aldermen could leave more time for discussing Elmhurst’s needs and choices.
Influence depends on participation while proposals are being developed. Today, no ward has a member on every standing committee. If a smaller Council conducts more detailed discussions together, every ward could have a representative involved at that stage.
The tradeoff is fewer officeholders, with the opportunity for clearer accountability and broader ward participation in deliberation.
For more, see Is One Alderman Greater Than Two?