The volunteer citizen commissions, boards, and task forces of the City have been formed to assist the City Council in policymaking and applying existing regulations to business before the City Council.  The Commissions serve one of two roles in the Highland Park governance structure:  1) a policy function by advising the City Council on new and existing policy, or 2) a regulatory function by applying City ordinances to individual requests for action. Please find below a description of each City commission, along with a link to the respective commission website:

Business & Economic Development Commission
The Business & Economic Development Commission reviews, advises, and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding any projects being undertaken in the commercial, industrial and residential/office zoning districts. 

Civil Service Commission / Board of Police and Fire Commissioners
The Board of Police and Fire Commissioners is responsible for the certification, discipline, demotion, and termination of all sworn Police and Fire employees.  The Board also serves the same role for those City employees enrolled in the Civil Service.

Cultural Arts Commission
Since its inception, the Cultural Arts Commission has worked to establish a presence in the community creating programs such as the Cultural Arts Calendar, the Community Arts Access Grant Program, and the Mayor’s Award for the Arts.

Design Review Commission
The Design Review Commission is charged with reviewing all exterior changes requiring permits on non-single-family parcels.  The Commission works on a case-by-case basis to safeguard the character and aesthetic quality of the community.

Environmental Commission
The Environmental Commission reviews and updates pertinent ordinances, monitors the health of the natural environment of the community, monitors agencies and commissions which work on environmental issues, and strives to create an interest and awareness of the problems of land, water, and air pollution among the citizens of Highland Park.

Historic Preservation Commission
The Historic Preservation Commission actively researches local properties that may be eligible for landmark designation.  The Commission reviews proposed exterior alterations to landmarks or contributing features in historic districts, as well as promoting community awareness of historic preservation.

Housing Commission
The Housing Commission encourages and engages in the development of low-and-moderate income housing.

Human Relations Commission
The Human Relations Commission was created in 1964 to implement and effectuate the policies, regulations, and directives of the City Council in the promotion of the American ideal of equality and justice.  It encourages and facilitates wise adjustment to social problems and opportunities.

Intra-City Parking Commission
The Intra-City Parking Commission reviews, advises, and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding the administration, provision, designation, and enforcement of parking within the commercial, industrial, residential/office zoning districts of the City.

Joint Plan Commission
The Joint Plan Commission makes recommendations to the Highland Park City Council and Highwood City Council concerning land use development plans and regulations at Fort Sheridan and oversees the preparation of regulations, plans, and programs pertinent to development within Fort Sheridan.

Lakefront Commission
The Lakefront Commission was created in 1974 to encourage, promote, and engage in the development of the lakefront so as to provide, protect, and enhance the lakefront environment, the lake and the land along the lakefront.

Library Board of Trustees
The Library Board of Trustees oversees the finances and operations of the Highland Park Public Library.

Plan Commission
The Plan Commission makes recommendations to the City Council concerning land use development plans and regulations and oversees the preparation of regulations, plans, and programs pertinent to development within the City.

Ravinia Festival Community Relations Commission
The Ravinia Festival Community Relations Commission regularly reviews and advises the City Council and the Ravinia Festival Association on neighborhood concerns.

Sister Cities Foundation
Highland Park has two Sister Cities; Ferrara, Italy, established in 1989, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, established in 2001. Highland Park's sister city relationships were forged through cooperation with Sister Cities International, based in Washington D.C., who helped match Highland Park with the two cities.

Traffic Commission
The Traffic Commission is charged with oversight and safety issues relative to Highland Park’s streets and makes recommendations to the City Council to improve conditions that relate to traffic safety.

Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals has the responsibility for hearing and deciding upon applications for variations to the regulations of the Zoning Ordinance and hearing issues forwarded to it by the City Council.