Zion is a commission form of government, one of only three remaining in the state of Illinois. Under this structure, each of the five members of the City Council, including the Mayor, has an equal vote and is responsible for the oversight of a department. Each has complete autonomy over hiring and firing personnel, except the department head, which is managed by mayoral appointment with the consent of the council. Each commissioner determines policy related to time schedules, priorities, budget, etc. and may even participate in union negotiations. No action from the council can contradict a commissioner's decision within the department, except in rare instances that affect the city as a whole. All commissioners run at large, meaning we have no geographic obligation as in wards or aldermanic seats. Upon election the Mayor appoints each commissioner to a department. The Mayor is always the Commissioner of Public Affairs.