A New Chapter in Northbrook Government

In 1953, Northbrook residents approved a referendum to adopt a council-manager form of government, with the transition officially taking place in January 1954. This change moved the Village from a system where elected officials handled both policy and day-to-day operations to a more structured model in which elected officials hire a highly trained, nonpartisan chief executive to oversee day-to-day operations.

Under this system, the Village President and six-member Board of Trustees are elected by Northbrook residents to set policies and represent the community’s priorities. The Village’s Municipal Code designates the Village Manager as the Board’s only direct employee, responsible for overseeing daily operations, preparing the annual budget, implementing Board policies, and managing Village staff and services. Rather than reporting to any one elected official, the Village Manager works for the entire Board and helps coordinate the work of the Village’s departments. 

The result is a blend of elected leadership with professional management, that helps keep local government both responsive and effective. Since adopting this form of government more than 70 years ago, Northbrook has had only six Village Managers. The current Village Manager, Cara Pavlicek, who was appointed in 2021, is the first female to hold the position.