Responsibilities

The Crystal Lake Youth Commission has been created to study, investigate, plan, implement and advise the City Council on matters related to youth. In particular, the Commission is charged with recommending policies, programs and services that empower, support and inform youth; that create a family friendly community, and that enable and encourage youth to be productive members of the community. The Commission shall serve as an advisory body to the City Council on matters pertaining to youth in the community.

Eligibility

The City of Crystal Lake is now accepting applications from interested individuals who meet the following qualifications.

Youth Commission Members shall be between the ages of 16-20 years old. The Commission shall consist of up to 7 voting members and one City staff liaison to serve as a representative, at a minimum. The
Commission shall consist of the following:

One chairperson, one vice-chair, and five at-large representative voting members. Members shall be students from one or more of the following eligible schools: Crystal Lake Central High School, Crystal Lake South High School, Prairie Ridge High school, Haber Oaks, Crystal Lake Private High schools, home school, or McHenry County College.

Staffers from Crystal Lake schools shall serve as liaisons between the City and their school.

Meetings

Youth Commission regular meetings are scheduled to begin in fall 2024. Regular meetings will be held monthly during the school year at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall.  Special Meetings may be held at the Commission's request with notice posted a minimum 48 hours in advance per the Illinois Open Meetings Act (OMA), 5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.

Public presentation is allowed at all public meetings. Members of the public who intend to speak at a Youth Commission meeting are encouraged to contact City staff prior to the Commission meeting. Public presentation is limited to five minutes per person. The Youth Commission members are not allowed to speak or comment on the public presentation.