The Village of Northbrook is a home-rule unit of government under the 1970 Illinois Constitution and Northbrook’s council-manager form of government was adopted by a referendum in 1953. Originating from the U.S. progressive reform movement at the turn of the 20th century, the council-manager system was designed to create professionalism in local government by promoting effective management within a responsive and accountable structure.
The Village President and Board of Trustees are elected by the registered voters on an at-large basis for staggered, four-year terms. Council-manager government combines the strong political leadership of elected officials with the strong managerial experience of an appointed village manager. Power and authority to set policy rests with an elected governing body, which includes a chairperson and members of the council, commission, or board. The governing body in turn hires a nonpartisan village manager to execute policy and run the day-to-day operations of the organization. Review the Village's Organizational Chart here and the links in the side bar for additional information.