"I'm thrilled to be here, I'm thrilled to be part of this, part of history. I think it's going to be great," Alderman Debra Silverstein, Ward 50, said.
"Got a great bunch of incumbents been here that have offering a lot of help to the freshman aldermen," Alderman Nick Sposato, Ward 36, said.
"There are so many dreams we can fulfill here as we work together as a team. And I'm really excited," Ald. Mary O'Connor, Ward 41, said.
The Chicago City Council was sworn in just before Rahm Emanuel took his position as mayor.
"Very moving speech about moving us forward. So I'm just delighted. I'm getting used to all these new titles, including mine," Alderman James Cappleman, Ward 46, said.
At City Hall, workers prepared for the incoming aldermen. Most won't move into their offices for few days, but many are eager to get to work.
"We're looking for some new directions. We have some difficult choices to make about how this city works and for whom," Ald. Will Burns, Ward 4, said.
In his address, Mayor Emanuel called on alderman to help improve education, bring reform to Chicago and wrestle city finances under control.
"City Council members-- new and old-- I reach out a hand of mutual respect and cooperation and I welcome you ideas for change," Emanuel said.
"There's an energy here that I can't wait for the history we're going to make with this new mayor and this new city council," Alderman Danny Solis, Ward 25, said.
"When you really look at some of the things he's put on the table, these are things we can accomplish not only in the first 100 days but in the first few years," Alderman Scott Waguespack, Ward 32, said.
"We're looking forward toward developing that relationship. And I really don't know how he's going to govern. Next City Council is on Wednesday so we'll see how that goes," Alderman Ricardo Munoz, Ward 22, said.
