Municipal Elected Offices

Municipal offices are the positions that run a city or town. Municipalities usually have a Board of Trustees and a Village President or Mayor.

Village President

Village presidents preside over village board meetings. They are not the chief executive, nor do they have veto power; they are simply participating members of the village board who oversee the flow of meetings. The execution of operations is usually performed by an appointed village manager.
Term Length: 4 Years

Mayor

The mayor of a city or town is responsible for the execution and implementation of a city’s policies; the term length for a mayor is four years.
​Term Length: 4 Years

Board of Trustees

Elected representatives who ensure that the priorities, favored policies, and needs of the village’s residents are met. They initiate, consider, and vote on small-scale and large-scale public policy pertaining to their village. The Board of Trustees is similar to the legislative branch.
Term Length: 4 Years

Village Clerk

The village clerk is essentially the ‘secretary’ of the village board; clerks are the touchpoint between the public and municipal government, the village’s record keeper, and fulfill ceremonial responsibilities.
Term Length: 4 Years

Township Elected Offices

Townships are subdivisions of a county and help to carry out public services, such as road management. Townships often are especially important for unincorporated areas that aren't part of a municipality.

Supervisor

The Township Supervisor serves as chairman of the Board of Directors and also works as the treasurer of township funds.
Term Length: 4 Years

Board of Trustees

Township trustees make up the Board of Trustees, and act as the legislative branch of the township. They establish policies for the township to follow, certify tax levies and adopt the annual budget.
Term Length: 4 Years

Clerk

The clerk maintains records and serves as the secretary of the board. They certify signatures, record meetings, publish notices, and work with the county clerk as the Chief Election Official.
Term Length: 4 Years

Assessor

The Township Assessor usually determines the value of a property. In Cook County, instead of assessing property, the assessor sets assessment levels for properties and works together with the Cook County Assessor. They help with property index numbers, name and address changes, building permits, and more.
Term Length: 4 Years

Highway Commissioner

The Highway Commissioner oversees maintenance and construction of all roads and bridges in an area. The commissioner is also in charge of submitting a tax levy to the township board. Not all townships have an elected highway commissioner.
Term Length: 4 Years

School District Elected Offices

Board of Education

The School Board votes on various policies and referendums, such as the budget, and works with the superintendent. The board helps connect citizen voices to the education system. 
​Term Length: 4 Years

Park District Elected Offices

Board of Commissioners

Park District trustees ensure that the priorities, policies, and needs of the village’s parks, recreation and conservation missions are met. They initiate, consider, and vote on public policy pertaining to the park district.
Term Length: 6 Years

Library Elected Offices

Board of Trustees

Library Trustees advocate for the library, sharing it with others, and they set policies and rules for the library. Library Trustees also manage the budget. They work with a library director to carry out their duties.
Term Length: 6 Years

Community College District Elected Offices

Board of Trustees

Illinois is divided into Community College Districts, with a Board of Trustees governing the college in each district. The board's purpose is to set policy for and oversee the community college.
Term Length: 4 or 6 Years

Regional Office of Education

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees helps to oversee school districts and education within a region, specifically dealing with issues such as safety and attendance.
Term Length: 6 Years