City of Chicago

Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States. With 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the American Midwest.  It was incorporated as a city in 1837, near a portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed, and experienced rapid growth in the mid-nineteenth century. Today, the city is an international hub for finance, commerce, industry, technology, telecommunications, and transportation, with O’Hare International Airport being the second-busiest airport in the world; it also has the largest number of U.S. highways and railroad freight entering its region.

In 2012, Chicago was listed as an alpha global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network, and ranks seventh in the world in the 2014 Global Cities Index. It has the third largest gross metropolitan product in the United States, after the New York City and Los Angeles metropolitan areas, at a sum of US $571 billion.

As a multicultural city that thrives on the harmony and diversity of its neighborhoods, Chicago today embodies the values of America’s heartland-integrity, hard work and community and reflects the ideals in the social fabric of its 77 distinct neighborhoods.

Mayor:     Brandon Johnson
Website: www.cityofchicago.org
Address: 121 North LaSalle Street           
                 Chicago, IL 60602
Phone:     312.744.5000

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DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference

The DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, a council of 33 municipal governments in DuPage County, Illinois, was founded in 1962. Our membership is comprised of both elected and appointed officials. The Conference is a not-for-profit organization supported by membership dues and grants, dedicated to addressing municipal public policy issues.

Conference President: Mayor Phil Suess, City of Wheaton
Executive Director: Suzette Quintell
Website: www.dmmc-cog.org
Address: 1220 Oakbrook Road
                 Oak Brook, IL 60523
Phone:     630.571.0480

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Lake County Municipal League

The mission of the Lake County Municipal League is to serve as a vehicle for its 38 member municipalities to take joint action on matters affecting the Lake County area. It is the goal of the LCML to enable member municipalities to better fulfill their mission through legislative action, information sharing and networking.

League President: Mayor Dominic Marturano, Village of Lindenhurst
Executive Director: Mandi Florip
Website: www.lakecountyleague.org
Address: 1937 North Municipal Way
                 Round Lake Beach, IL  60073
Phone:     847.270.3126

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McHenry County Council of Governments

Established in 1976, the McHenry County Council of Governments is a cohesive network of governmental bodies who seek to foster cooperation between all levels of government.  The purpose of the McHenry County Council of Governments is to uphold and advocate principles of effective local government, facilitate solutions to regional issues and otherwise lesson the burdens of government.

COG President: Mayor Rick Mack, Village of Ringwood
Executive Director: Chalen Daigle
Website: www.mchenrycountycog.org
Address: 620 Dakota Street, Suite 251
                 Crystal Lake, IL 60012
Phone:     815.788.4390

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Metro West Council of Governments

The Metro West Council of Governments is an association of 35 municipalities serving a population of more than 750,000 in Kane, Kendall and DeKalb Counties of Illinois.  Metro West fosters regional cooperation to address regional issues including managing growth, transportation and water conservation and promoting sustainable economic development.  Metro West provides a united voice for municipalities and serves as their strong advocate.  The Council provides networking opportunities for area mayors and managers, which allows them to share ideas and address common issues.

COG President: Mayor Stephan Pickett, Village of Sleepy Hollow
Executive Director: Lesli Melendy
Website: www.metrowestcog.org
Address: 40W270 LaFox Road, Suite A                                   
                 Campton Hills, IL 60175
Phone:     630.859.1331

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Northwest Municipal Conference

Since 1958, the Northwest Municipal Conference has been working to strengthen communities and enhance intergovernmental relationships in the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago. As one of the premier regional councils of governments, the Conference represents over 1.3 million citizens residing in 43 municipalities and 1 township. Its membership area covers over 300 square miles in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry Counties.

Conference President: Mayor Tom Dailly, Village of Schaumburg
Executive Director: Mark L. Fowler
Website: www.nwmc-cog.org
Address: 1600 East Golf Road, Suite 0700
                 Des Plaines, IL 60016
Phone:     847.296.9200

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South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association

The South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association has been working to facilitate cooperative efforts in municipal management, planning, public safety and infrastructure, as well as economic development, community relations and fostering diversity though Fair Housing since 1978. Today, the Association serves 43 municipalities in southern Cook and Will Counties, representing a population of over 650,000.  

Located south of the City of Chicago, SSMMA members work cooperatively on transportation, legislation, land use, economic development, recycling, purchasing, stormwater and open space planning, infrastructure, human resources, public safety and housing issues.

Association President: Mayor Ron Gardiner, Village of Glenwood
Executive Director: Kristi DeLaurentis
Website: www.ssmma.org
Address: 1904 West 174th Street
                 East Hazel Crest, IL 60429
Phone:     708.206.1155

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Southwest Conference of Mayors

The Southwest Conference of Mayors is comprised of the Chief Elected Officials from twenty-one communities in southwest suburban Cook County.  It was formed in an attempt to lower the cost of government; to improve services for its citizens and to promote managerial expertise for the individual and joint benefit of its member municipalities.  The Southwest Conference of Mayors has the purpose to coordinate its membership experience and expertise on problems of mutual concern. 

Association President: Mayor Gerald R. Bennett, City of Palos Hills
Executive Director: Vicky Smith
Website: www.swmayors.com 
Address: 6701 South Archer Avenue
                 Bedford Park, IL 60501
Phone:     708.701.2232

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West Central Municipal Conference

In 1980, the West Central Municipal Conference was founded as a regional council of governments (serving the communities of west suburban Cook County. The membership roster then consisted of 15 municipalities, as the organization patterned itself after other COGs in existence throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

The WCMC membership today totals over 48 entities, which includes 40 municipalities, 5 townships, 2 community colleges, Brookfield Zoo, and over 600,000 residents. These communities are wholly located in Cook County or contiguous thereto.  The WCMC region is over 200 square miles is characterized as the mature “inner ring” of suburbs uniquely situated between the City of Chicago and collar counties surrounding Cook; excepting bordering DuPage communities on the western boundary of Cook County.

Conference President: Mayor David Guerin, Village of River Grove
Executive Director: Richard F. Pellegrino
Website: www.westcook.org
Address: 2000 Fifth Avenue, Building N
                 River Grove, IL 60171
Phone:     708.453.9100

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Will County Governmental League

The Will County Governmental League (WCGL) is a not-for-profit intergovernmental organization comprised of 30 municipalities and the County of Will, representing a population over 675,000.  The League provides technical assistance and services, as well as a forum for municipalities to discuss and resolve regional issues of mutual concern.  The WCGL scope of activities includes transportation, legislation, public works and intergovernmental relations.

League President: Mayor Steve Streit, City of Lockport
Executive Director: Hugh O’Hara
Website:  www.wcgl.org
Address: 15905 S. Frederick Street, Suite 107
                 Plainfield, IL  60586
Phone:     815.254.7700