The City of Palos Hills is a community of approximately 17,500 residents located Southwest of the City of Chicago in Cook County, in northeastern Illinois. City government is divided into executive and legislative branches. The mayor is the chief executive while the City Council, 10 Aldermen elected from 5 wards, is the legislative body. Government priorities and activities are established in an appropriation ordinance usually adopted in April of each year. The city takes official action through the passage of ordinances and resolutions. In addition to the mayor, Palos Hills' two other city-wide elected officials are the clerk and the treasurer