The Chicago Federal Executive Board (FEB) represents approximately 78,000 Federal employees, postal employees, and military personnel. They work for 178 agencies located in the metropolitan Chicago area that includes the eleven county area of: Cook, DuPage, McHenry, Lake, Will, Grundy, DeKalb, Kendall, and Kane counties in Illinois, and Lake and Porter counties in Indiana.

The Chicago FEB also serves approximately 9,200,000 people who reside in the Chicago metropolitan area.

The FEB is headed by a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary/Treasurer who are elected by the membership from its ranks. These officers, along with twelve elected members and former FEB Chairs who continue to serve as Ex-Officio Members, comprise the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee meets monthly to outline the focus and policies of the FEB and its committees through the year. The Executive Committee also makes recommendations on matters involving interagency coordination and action. A list of the current board members is available in the Contact Us section.

The FEB has two full-time staff positions that are funded by the General Services Administration, Region V. The Executive Director serves as the principal staff assistant to the FEB Chair and provides him with a full range of staff services. The FEB Executive Assistant serves as a personal assistant to the Executive Director and plays an important role in carrying out the day-to-day administration of the office.

History and Statutory Authority of the FEB Network

President John F. Kennedy introduced the first ten FEBs by a Presidential Directive November 13, 1961 with these words:

"Although each executive agency and its field organization have a special mission, there are many matters on which the work of the departments converge. Among them are management and budgetary procedures, personnel policies, recruitment efforts, office information duties, and similar matters. There are opportunities to pool experience and resources and to accomplish savings. In substantive programs, there are also opportunities for a more closely coordinated approach in many activities."

His goal was to improve coordination among Federal activities and programs outside Washington. The FEBs were to be comprised of the highest-level official of each Federal agency.

The need for effective coordination of the field activities of Federal departments and agencies was then, and is still, very clear. Approximately 88 percent of all Federal employees work outside the national capital area. Decisions affecting the expenditure of billions of dollars are made in the field. Federal programs have their impact largely through the actions of field representatives of the departments and agencies. In addition, Federal officials outside Washington are the principal representatives of the Federal Government for the citizens of this country.

The FEBs are a forum for communication and collaboration among Federal agencies outside of Washington, DC. Today, the national network of 28 FEBs serves as the cornerstone for strategic partnering in Government.

FEBs accomplish their mission by fostering communication, coordination, and collaboration among Federal agencies, and also with state and local governments. FEBs provide information, referrals and guidance for intergovernmental relations and community outreach.

The FEBs support and promote national initiatives of the President and the Administration, and respond to the local needs of Federal departments and agencies in the community through program activities of its committees and councils. Members of these committees are Federal employees who have been selected by their agency head to serve based on their positions, responsibilities, and expertise.

Constitution and By-Laws of the Chicago FEB

Chicago Annual Report 2009

FEB National 2009 Annual Report

FEB National Strategic Plan 2008-2012

Connect with FEB