Oak Forest is a home rule community which is governed by a mayor and seven aldermen. The mayor is elected at-large to a four-year term. Aldermen are elected in each of the city's wards to four-year staggered terms.

The mayor and aldermen are the elected representatives and policy makers for the city.   Their function is to formulate policies and ordinances necessary to guide the orderly development and administration of local government.

The city clerk is elected to serve as the official responsible for public recordkeeping and administration of City Council proceedings. The city treasurer is elected to provide oversight of the city's investments and finances.

Policy making is assisted through members of various advisory boards and commissions. 

Professional management of the city is undertaken by an appointed city administrator and six department heads.

The elected officials, advisory boards, commissions, and staff collaborate and function as a team to provide residents with professional, honest, efficient, and forward-thinking local government.