Eastside Guide: Local Government

The Eastside falls under numerous and overlapping government jurisdictions. Many neighborhoods are included within the City of Los Angeles  but East Los Angeles is part of unincorporated Los Angeles County. It can be hard to tell who is in charge. Here’s a run down of some of the government bodies and elected leaders that Eastside residents should know about:

City of Los Angeles

The City of Los Angeles is divided into 15 Council Districts, each with its own elected council member.  The  15-member City Council creates city ordinances and impose taxes with the approval of the Mayor, who serves as the head of city government.  When dealing with neighborhood issues and problems, most residents first turn to their City Council member . The city’s handy Neighborhood Resource feature can help you find your elected leaders by entering your address.

Mayor
Eric Garcetti

Council District 1
Gil Cedillo

Neighborhoods: Angeleno Heights, Cypress Park, Echo Park, Highland Park, Lincoln Heights, Mount Washington

Council District 4
Tom LaBonge

Neighborhoods: Los Feliz & Silver Lake

Council District 13
Mitch O’Farrell

Neighborhoods: Atwater Village, Echo Park, East Hollywood, Elysian Heights, Elysian Valley Historic Filipinotown, Silver Lake

Council District 14
Jose Huizar

Neighborhoods: Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock, El Sereno, Hermon, Highland Park, Montecito Heights, Monterey Hills

Neighborhood Councils

Neighborhood councils are primarily advisory bodies made up of elected or appointed residents and stakeholders. The councils, which are overseen by the city’s Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, make recommendations on neighborhood issues and fund small projects.  They do not have the power to create laws or enforce existing city ordinances but can help to nurture grass roots ideas and deal with micro issues and problems.

Unincorporated East Los Angeles

East Los Angeles, which includes City Terrace, is part of unincorporated Los Angeles County, which is governed by the five-member Board of Supervisors.

First District
Gloria Molina
Represents: East Los Angeles & City Terrace

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