With an area of approximately 17 square miles, Lake Forest is home to 19,375 people according to the 2010 Census. The City of Lake Forest was incorporated as a city under a special charter granted by the Illinois State Legislature in 1861 that permits Lake Forest to be administered efficiently and economically with a minimum number of separate government bodies. The City Council is the legislative and policy-making body and includes the Mayor and two Aldermen from each of the City's four wards.