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As we begin a new chapter...

I am honored for the opportunity to serve my community. Your involvement reflects the shared commitment we have to our community's future, and I am grateful for your engagement.

Moving forward, I would like to express my gratitude to those who have previously served our community. Their service and dedication have laid the foundation for so much of what we build upon today. I recognize and thank all those who served for their commitment to our city.

I am excited to work alongside our re-elected and newly elected officials. I believe that by working together with a spirit of collaboration, we can meet Washington's present needs and chart a path forward that reflects the values and aspirations of the people we serve.

Together with residents, staff, and elected officials, I believe we can build a culture of community-focused collaboration that strengthens our city and inspires trust in all who call it home.

Sincerely, 
Lilija Stevens
Mayor, City of Washington

The Mayor is an elected official and chief executive officer serving the City of Washington.
Current Term: 2025-2029
Duties and responsibilities found in the municipal code include:

  • The mayor shall be the chief executive officer of the city and shall preside at all meetings of the council and on all ceremonial occasions. The mayor shall be recognized as the official head of the city by the courts for the purpose of serving civil process and by the governor for all legal purposes.

  • The mayor shall perform all the duties which are prescribed by law, including this Code, and shall take care that the laws and ordinances are faithfully executed.

  • The mayor, from time to time, may and annually shall give the council information relative to the affairs of the city, and may recommend for their consideration such measures as the mayor believes expedient.

  • The mayor shall devote as much time to the duties of the office as a faithful and efficient discharge thereof may require; shall perform all the duties which are prescribed by law, including the provisions of this Code; and shall take care that the laws and provisions of this Code are faithfully executed.

  • The mayor shall supervise the conduct of all officers of the city and see that they faithfully and efficiently discharge the duties of their respective offices; shall inquire into all reasonable complaints made against them and cause all their neglect or violations of duty to be promptly corrected; and shall, in case the mayor becomes satisfied that any officer willfully neglects or violates said officer's duty, cause such officer to be prosecuted and punished.

  • The mayor at all times may examine and inspect the books, and records, and papers of any agent, employee, or officer of the city.

  • If a temporary absence or disability of the mayor incapacitates the same from the performance of official duties but does not create a vacancy in the office, the city council shall elect one of its members to act as mayor pro tem. The mayor pro tem, during this absence or disability, shall perform the duties and possess all the rights and powers of the mayor.

To view Municipal Code regarding the Office of the Mayor visit: Office of Mayor Municipal Code

Lilija Stevens
Mayor
Lilija Stevens
      Paula Johnson Todd Sluder Michael Ernst jsmith
Ward I
Paula Johnson		 Ward I
Todd Sluder		 Ward II
Michael Ernst		 Ward II
Jamie Smith
bmartin Brandon Moss

mmc

 jblundy
Ward III
Bobby Martin III		 Ward III
Brandon Moss

Ward IV
Michael McIntyre

 Ward IV
John Blundy

Click here to find your Ward. 
The City Clerk is an elected official serving the City of Washington.
Current Term: 2025-2029
Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Manage official records, including meeting minutes, ordinances, contracts, resolutions, and materials pertaining to the operation of the City
  • Take minutes of regular and special City Council meetings, Committee of the Whole meetings, Executive Session meetings, and Public Hearings
  • Serve as secretary to the Planning & Zoning Commission and Liquor Control Commission
  • Provide administrative services for Glendale Cemetery 
  • Maintain the Municipal Code
  • Serve as Freedom of Information Act and Open Meeting Act Officer for the City
  • Serve as the local election official
  • Register citizens to vote
  • Provide notary services
  • Administer licenses and permits
  • Help maintain the city website

To view Municipal Code regarding the Office of the City Clerk, visit: Office of the City Clerk Municipal Code

Term: 2025- 2029

The City Treasurer is an elected official with a four year term of office.  Primary duties include receiving all money belonging to the city and keeping books and accounts in a manner prescribed by ordinances of the city.  The Treasurer shall deposit funds and produce an annual report for the corporate authorities.

For more information, please contact our office.

Responsibility

The City Administrator is responsible to the Mayor and City Council for the proper administration of day-to-day operations. He or she coordinates with other City departments; administers policies established by the Mayor and City Council and works closely with other elected City officials and outside agencies. Along with his staff, the City Administrator leads the financial and budget management process, directs the city's planning efforts, conducts research, develops policies, and evaluates potential public programs.

Appointment

The City Administrator is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by a majority vote of the City Council. 

The Finance Department has oversight over all revenue collections and expenditure payments which comprise the City's $35.7 million annual budget.

This Department provides customer service for the City, collects water and sewer utility payments, and is responsible for the following activities:

  • Cash Management
  • Financial Reporting/Management Information Systems
  • Purchasing and Disbursements
  • Billing and Collections
  • Payroll
  • Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance
  • Municipal Services Support

Glendale Cemetery was established June 27, 1849, by the city’s founder William Holland. William and his wife, Jane, filed a quit claim deed for about a half-acre to be used as public burial grounds for use by the citizens of Washington. On the same day, David and Hannah Kyes also donated an adjacent piece of property for the same purpose...eventually expanding to include the Glendale Cemetery, also known as the Old City Cemetery. Glendale Cemetery is also the site for the city’s Veterans Memorial honoring troops that have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. It was erected by the American Legion and Auxiliary in memory of all deceased service men and women who have served their country. 

Today, Glendale Cemetery is a comforting location designed to honor life in a park-like setting situated among towering oak trees and expanses of prairie grass landscaping. This active city cemetery features modern above ground, cremation burial options, clean turf memorial options and traditional upright monument options near a community park and a nationally recognized historic landmark bridge.

Effective May 19, 2003, City personnel will perform all excavations for burials taking place at Glendale Cemetery. Concrete vaults must be used for full burial, however, such a vault is not required for burial in the infant section or for cremations.

The planting of trees, bushes, shrubs and other woody plants of any type is prohibited in Glendale Cemetery, except by authorized city personnel. This woody plant restriction applies to both the public areas of the cemetery and private burial plots. The city has a long-term landscaping and tree planting plan for the cemetery grounds and accepts cash donations to help defray planting and landscaping costs.

The planting of non-woody plants on private burial plots is permissible with the consent of the person or family holding the interment rights as well as approval from the Glendale Cemetery Sexton. Please contact cemetery personnel in advance of any planting. These planting policies are intended to avoid infringement on other public and private properties in the cemetery.

Decorative items such as artificial plants, statuaries, shepherd hooks, fencing, etc. must be confined to the designated 2 ft. x 4 ft. headstone area. Foot markers must not exceed 12" in height and must be confined to the designated 2 ft. x 4 ft. stone area. Structures other than monuments are not allowed on the grave site, i.e. benches, etc. City personnel reserve the right to remove any live greenery decoration that has subsequently turned brown, as well as any artificial decoration that is detached or in disrepair. Upright grave plantings and decorations are prohibited within the Glendale Cemetery Memorial section (denoted by flush head and foot stones)

The City of Washington cannot be held responsible for items lost, stolen, or damaged through acts of vandalism. Any maintenance needs related to monuments should be referred to a monument company.

The Washington Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, an independent, not-for-profit corporation under contract with the City, relies on its volunteer members in its service to the community.

Visit their website at:  http://washingtonfd.com

The primary purpose of the Planning & Development Department is to promote the coordinated growth and development of the City of Washington.

This department works to ensure that all subdivision, development, new construction, and use of land conforms to state and local regulations and is accomplished in an orderly manner that minimizes or eliminates adverse impacts to the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the citizens of Washington. The department staff administers local land use ordinances and provides professional, technical assistance to the City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, Historical Preservation Commission, Economic Development Commission, Building Board of Review, and TIF Joint Review Boards.

This department is responsible for the following activities:

  • Annexation
  • Building Inspection, New Construction
  • Code Enforcement, including Zoning, Subdivision, Building, and Nuisance
  • Comprehensive Plan Administration
  • Economic Development - General Business Attraction, Retention, Promotion, and Support
  • Enterprise Zone Administration
  • Floodplain Management
  • Geographic Information System (GIS) Maintenance/Mapping
  • Historic Preservation

Permit Issuance/Application Processing, including:

  • Building
  • Certificate of Occupancy
  • Comprehensive Plan Amendment
  • Demolition
  • Driveway
  • Fence
  • Home Occupation
  • Landscaping Plan Review and Approval
  • Personal Wireless Service Facility (PWSF)/Telecommunication Tower
  • Rezoning
  • Right-of-Way Vacation, Streets and Alleys
  • Signs: Including Banner, Billboard, and Portable
  • Site Plan and Subdivision Plat Review
  • Solar Panels
  • Street Cut
  • Street Load Limit, Temporarily Exceed
  • Swimming Pool
  • Special Use
  • Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Administration
  • Variance
  • Zoning

Home Occupation Zoning Code - Section 154.301

Section 154.306 of the Zoning Code determines whether a Home Occupation can be Administratively granted (Administrative Application) or must be presented before the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC Application) for granting. 

Welcome to the Washington Police Department.

The men and women of the Washington Police Department are committed to providing honest, impartial, and ethical law enforcement for you. Every day, we strive to deliver the highest standard of professional service to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone who lives in, works in, or visits our city.

We proudly serve a population of over 15,000 residents across more than 8 square miles, and an extended community in partnership with other law enforcement agencies. Our mission is preservation of peace.

Our department takes great pride in contributing to the high quality of life enjoyed in Washington. Through a broad range of law enforcement programs and proactive policing strategies, we work diligently to maintain a low crime rate and a safe environment for all.

Our services include:

  • A uniformed Patrol Division
  • A specialized Investigations Division
  • A team committed to School Safety

In addition, we participate in several collaborative regional efforts. We are a proud member of the Central Illinois Emergency Response Team (CIERT), a multi-jurisdictional SWAT unit, with six of our officers currently assigned to the team as tactical officers or crisis negotiators. Our department also has investigators assigned to the Homeland Security Investigations Cybercrime Task Force and the Illinois Attorney General’s Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Our Commitment to Community Policing

Community policing is more than a philosophy—it’s a core part of who we are. It means building strong partnerships between law enforcement and the community through open communication, trust, and collaboration. By working together, we can identify and address community concerns and develop meaningful solutions that enhance the quality of life for everyone.

This partnership fosters mutual respect and shared responsibility for the safety and success of our community. We encourage all residents and business owners to get involved and work with us to maintain the high standards that make Washington a great place to live and work.

Stay Connected

We invite you to explore our department further through this website, and we encourage you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and community news. Your input and suggestions are always welcome.  Thank you.

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