Mayor Kevin B. Hemann
I proudly serve as Mayor of Highland, bringing with me a lifetime of dedication to the community I have always called home. Appointed in April 2021 to fill the unexpired term of the late Mayor Joseph R. Michaelis, May 2025 officially marks the beginning my second 4-year term.
A 1974 graduate of St. Paul High School, I earned a business degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville while working full time. I retired after 45 years with Highland Machine, where I served as Senior Vice President. My professional experience, combined with decades of civic involvement, has allowed me to get to know and work with many of Highland’s leaders.
My public service began with a term on the Highland City Council in the early 1990s. Over the years, I have remained deeply involved in local organizations, including: Highland Manufacturers’ Association, Highland Booster Club, Highland Knights of Columbus, Highland Optimist Club (Past President), St. Joseph’s Hospital Advisory Board, Business Educational Alliance (BEA), Highland Chamber of Commerce (Past President) and St. Paul Catholic School Educational Foundation. I currently serve as Executive Director for the Highland Area Community Foundation.
In 2013 I was inducted into the Highland Illinois Area Alumni Association Hall of Fame.
As Mayor, I am committed to preserving Highland’s strong values, enhancing its vibrant community spirit, and building upon its proud traditions. My leadership goals are rooted in a deep respect for Highland’s past and a clear vision for its future.
My wife, Louise, and I are the proud parents of three daughters and grandparents to nine grandchildren.
It is my honor to serve the people of Highland and give back to a city that has given me so much throughout my life.
WHAT IS THE COUNCIL-MANAGER FORM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The council-manager form is the system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council or other governing body, with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The form establishes a representative system where all power is concentrated in the elected council and where the council hires a professionally trained manager to oversee the delivery of public services.
The council is the legislative body; its members are the community’s decision makers. Power is centralized in the elected council, which approves the budget and determines the tax rate, for example. The council also focuses on the community’s goals, major projects, and such long-term considerations as community growth, land use development, capital improvement plans, capital financing, and strategic planning. The council hires a professional manager to carry out the administrative responsibilities and supervises the manager’s performance.
The Mayor
Mayors in council-manager communities (or chairpersons in counties) are key political leaders and policy developers. In the case of the council, the mayor is responsible for soliciting citizen views in forming these policies and interpreting them to the public. The mayor presides at council meetings, serves as a spokesperson for the community, facilitates communication and understanding between elected and appointed officials, assists the council in setting goals and advocating policy decisions, and serves as a promoter and defender of the community. In addition, the mayor serves as a key representative in intergovernmental relations. The mayor, council, and manager constitute a policy-development and management team
