The city's administrative building houses 120 employees in eight departments. The location functions as City Hall, the Oak Forest Police Department and Chamber of Commerce headquarters.

Mayor Hank Kuspa serves as head of the administration, with Village Administrator John Marquart. Other administrators include Treasurer Dwayne Fox and City Clerk Scott Burkhardt.

Oak Forest is a home rule community, led 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. Current Mayor Hank Kuspa was elected in 2009.

The city of Oak Forest was founded in 1892 and currently has a population of 28,000. It became a village in 1947, and transitioned into city status in 1971. Major landmarks include Oak Forest Hospital, George Dunne Golf Course, Cicero Avenue and the gazebo adjacent to the administration building. The city holds several events throughout the year, including Irish Fest over the July 4 weekend, Oak Forest Fleadh over St. Patrick's Day, and Christmas festivities with a tree lighting and parade.