City Council

The Des Plaines City Council is comprised of the Mayor (elected city-wide) and eight Aldermen who represent their respective wards(PDF, 3MB). These officials are elected to four-year terms. As the legislative body, the Council adopts an annual budget and strategic plan. Council meets twice a month to make policy decisions, approve spending and vote on various actions that affect the city. The City Council appoints a City Manager who serves as Chief Administrative Officer responsible for the management and operation of all of the affairs and the departments of the city.

Meet Your City Council:

Aldermen

Find Your Ward

Committee Structure

There are eight standing committees of the City Council:

  • Building Code
  • Community Development
  • Community Services
  • Engineering
  • Finance and Administration
  • Legal and Licensing
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works

To find out more about the Committee structure and procedures, please review the City Code

2025 - 2027 Committee Assignments 
Building Code Chairman - Walsten
Vice Chair - Chlebek
Member - Merlin
Community Development Chairman - Moylan
Vice Chair - Walsten
Member - Charewicz
Community Services Chairman - Smith
Vice Chair - Merlin
Member - Sayad
Engineering Chairman - Chlebek
Vice-Chair - Sayad
Member - Smith
Finance & Administration Chairman - Sayad
Vice-Chair - Moylan
Member - Walsten
Legal & Licensing Chairman - Charewicz
Vice-Chair - Oskerka
Member - Moylan
Public Safety Chairman - Oskerka
Vice-Chair - Charewicz
Member - Chlebek
Public Works Chairman - Merlin
Vice-Chair - Smith
Member - Oskerka

 

Council Meeting Procedures

Call to Order: The Mayor officially calls the meeting to order by announcing the date and time.

Roll Call: The City Clerk takes a roll call of the council members present beginning with the first eight alderman and concluding with the eighth ward and a quorum is determined.

Prayer and Pledge: Generally a clergy person is chosen from the community to make the invocation. In his/her absence the City Clerk gives the prayer. Immediately following, all rise and face the flag for the pledge.

Presentation: Any formal recognitions, presentations, etc. are made at this time, as requested.

Public HearingRequired formal public hearings are called as necessary. Relative public commentary is heard.

Citizen Participation: The public is invited to present commentary at will regarding any item not on the agenda. Comments limited to not more than five (5) minutes.

Aldermen Comments: The City Council members may wish to make announcements or address pertinent issues at this time.

Consent Agenda: The Mayor introduces the Consent Agenda by announcing that items on the Consent Agenda have been deemed non-controversial by the Mayor, City Clerk and staff. No item will be discussed unless an alderman specifically requests that it be removed from the agenda for that purpose. Any citizen wishing to address the City Council on any of these items must advise the City Clerk prior to the reading of the Consent Agenda. Once the items are removed the City Clerk proceeds to read the remaining items on the Consent Agenda. The Mayor requests a motion to approve the Consent Agenda and the City Clerk takes a roll call vote.

Items removed are then discussed individually with the City Clerk announcing each item. Discussion/action follows until all items are addressed.

Committee of the Whole: Following the Consent Agenda, the Mayor declares that the City Council is resolved into a Committee of the Whole Meeting. At this time individual Council Committee Chairmen present their items for discussion. It is during the Committee of the Whole Meeting that the aldermen invite the public to comment on the relative issue. The following committees may have items: Building Code, Community Development, Community Services, Engineering, Finance & Administration, Legal & Licensing, Public Safety, and Public Works.

If no action is immediately required on committee items, they will automatically appear on the next City Council Consent Agenda. If it is necessary to take action on the items at the present meeting, the Committee Chairman must report them out under the "New Business" section.

Unfinished Business: Once the Mayor has announced that the City Council is back in session, the City Clerk proceeds to read each item listed under "Unfinished Business" that was discussed at a prior meeting and now requires a motion and a vote.

New Business: The City Clerk proceeds to announce those items from the agenda which were addressed earlier in the Committee of the Whole Meeting should the City Council desire to report them out for action. A motion and vote will be taken. Matters being introduced for the first time will also be presented under "New Business."

Manager's Report: The City Manager may wish to make announcements or address pertinent issues at this time.

Aldermen Comments: The City Council Members may wish to make announcements or address pertinent issues at this time.

Mayoral Comments: The Mayor may wish to make announcements or address pertinent issues at this time.

Executive Session: The City Council recesses to meet in private to discuss matters such as personnel, land acquisition and collective bargaining. No final action is ever taken in Executive Session. The City Council reconvenes back in session where they may take action on the matters discussed in Executive Session.

Adjournment: The Mayor officially calls for a motion to adjourn the Meeting. A vote is taken and the Meeting concludes

 


Agendas and Minutes

The City Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m., Room 102 in City Hall.

All City Council Meetings are broadcast live on this website and on the Local Government Access Channel 17. Meeting videos are available the following day on-demandCurrent year agendas and materials are on this page. For other records, search the Des Plaines Public Records Archive.  

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