The Mayor, City Clerk, and City Treasurer are selected from the community at large.
City officials serve four year terms.
Administrative functions for the City of Waukegan are based at City Hall in downtown Waukegan. The city's 500 employees and officials ensure that the city operates smoothly and within its yearly budget. The Waukegan Police Department, located adjacent to City Hall and 172 officers strong, leads the county in providing community service programs. Included in the department's activities are crime prevention techniques, drug education programs, community policing, and a mobile police unit designed to enhance neighborhood security. The City of Waukegan boasts three full service fire stations strategically located throughout the community.