Boards & Commissions

Board of Police/Fire Commissioners

Role & Responsibilities
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners of the City of Princeton attains its authority from the Illinois Municipal Code, Illinois Compiled Statutes and from the City of Princeton Ordinances. The responsibilities of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners are as follows:

To recruit, select, and appoint qualified candidates to fill vacancies for original appointment of Police Officer and Firefighter/Paramedic as prescribed by the City of Princeton Board of Fire and Police Commissioner Rules and Regulations, State Statues, and City Ordinances.

To provide testing and selection procedures to allow qualified employees to participate in the promotional process for the positions in the fire and police departments.

To conduct disciplinary hearings or appeals of disciplinary action by uniformed personnel in the Fire and Police Departments.

Citizens Electric Utility Advisory Committee

Role & Responsibilities
The purpose of this commission is to promote a source of analytical assistance to the city council on issues concerning user rates and policy changes for the City's utilities.

Fire Pension Board

Role & Responsibilities
The Fire Pension Board manages, invests, and controls the fire pension fund and all moneys pertaining thereto in the manner provided by the statute. The Fire Pension Board is a five-member board made up of two mayoral appointees, two members elected from the active firefighters and one member elected from the retired firefighters.

Historic Preservation Commission

Role & Responsibilities
The Historic Preservation Commission members, appointed by the Mayor, serve to manage issues and interests with regard to the preservation of historic locations and buildings within the City of Princeton. The purpose of this commission is to promote the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of sites of special or historical value in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety and welfare of the citizens of Princeton by:

• Providing a mechanism to identity and preserve the historic and architectural characteristics of Princeton which represents elements of the city's cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history;
• To promote civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of the past as represented in Princeton's landmarks and historic districts;
• Stabilizing and improving the economic vitality and value of Princeton's landmarks and historic areas;
• Protecting and enhancing the attractiveness of the city to have buyers, visitors and shoppers and thereby supporting business, commerce, industry and providing economic benefit to the city;
• Fostering and encouraging preservation, restoration of structures, areas, and neighborhoods and thereby preventing future urban blight.

Learn more about Historic Preservation in Princeton here.

Industrial Development Commission & Revolving Loan Committee

Role & Responsibilities
The Industrial Development Commission shall meet to review potential development opportunities within the city limits and make recommendations to the City Council. All recommendations made by the Industrial Development Commission will be presented to the City Council by the City Manager.

Lovejoy Homestead Board of Trustees

Role & Responsibilities
The Lovejoy Homestead Board of Trustees, appointed by the Mayor, serve to manage the trust and affairs of the Lovejoy Homestead on Peru Street. They maintain the visiting hours and upkeep of the home and make recommendations to the City Council on various items as they relate to the care of the homestead.

Library Board

Role & Responsibilities
The Library Board members, appointed by the Mayor, serve to manage the affairs of the Princeton Public Library. The Board shall be vested with the responsibilities for the funds, properties, and affairs of the Library and shall have the power and authority to do and perform all acts and functions in regard to the operation thereof which shall not be inconsistent with the Bylaws of the Board and the Municipal Code.

Planning Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals

Role & Responsibilities
This Commission serves as the planning agency and zoning authority of the City. They prepare, maintain, review, and update the City's comprehensive plan and make recommendations on proposed developments to the City Council. Additionally, the Plan Commission serves as the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Plan Commission monitors developments and planning trends and makes recommendations to the City Council for policy and legislation. The appointed Commission consists of seven members; namely a chairman and six board members. The current goal of the Plan Commission is to continue to provide the City Council with recommendations on various planning associated issues that come before the Plan Commission on a regular basis.

The objectives of the Plan Commission are:

• to provide planning and zoning administration throughout the City
• to monitor trends in development, planning and zoning
• and to assist the City Council by reviewing in depth development requests.

The Zoning Board of Appeals has the primary responsibility to hear and decide appeals in which it is alleged that there is error in interpretation or application of the Zoning Ordinance; hear and decide applications for variances from the terms of the Zoning Ordinance, or in some instances hear and make recommendations to the City Council on variance requests; and review and make recommendations to the City Council on temporary use requests.

Police Pension Board

Role & Responsibilities
Police Pension Board governs the pension benefits for active full-time staff as well as full-time retirees of the Princeton Police Department.

Public Arts Commission

Role & Responsibilities
The purpose of this commission is to promote the exploration, installation and appreciation of structures and experiences of artistic merit in the City of Princeton and surrounding area by providing mechanisms to identify opportunities and facilitate activities to:

1. Promote civic pride
2. Engage residents in lifelong involvement in the arts in their many forms.
3. Improve the economic and cultural vitality of Princeton
4. Enhance the attractiveness and appeal of the city to current and potential residents, buyers, visitors and customers, thereby providing economic, cultural and social benefit.