Government Structure Print

The City of Countryside is an Illinois home rule community with a City Administrator form of government. The home rule designation, a rarity for communities the size of Countryside, per the 1970 Illinois State Constitution, allows the City to “exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs, including but not limited to, the power to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals and welfare; to license; to tax; and to incur debt.”

 

The City’s Mayor presides over the City Council, which includes six aldermen, who are elected from the City’s three wards. Under the City form of government, only the Mayor, City Clerk and City Treasurer are elected “at large”, or by all the voters in Countryside. All of the elected officials serve four-year terms, with the Aldermen being elected by the voters in their specific wards in alternating two-year elections.

 

The Countryside City Council, with input from Countryside residents and businesspeople, determines municipal policies, regulations and local laws. The City Council also determines the City’s annual budget, allocates funds for capital improvement projects and addresses issues of specific concern to the Countryside community. City staff members and several appointed committees and commissions also advise the City Council.