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public radio’s first one-hour radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting A weekly program presented by the New Yorker magazine’s editor killer beats and the edgiest new talent in storytelling come together for a weekly show that straps audiences into an audio rollercoaster Radiolab is known for its deep-dive journalism and innovative sound design Created in 2002 by former host Jad Abumrad the program began as an exploration of scientific inquiry Over the years it has evolved to become a platform for long-form journalism and storytelling Radiolab is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser Department of Education has launched an investigation of Evanston-Skokie District 65 accusing the school district of segregating students based on race The federal inquiry follows a complaint filed by the Roswell Georgia-based Southeastern Legal Foundation on behalf of one of the district’s drama teachers the district engages in racial segregation and reinforces stereotypes through policies and practices The complaint alleges the school district directs students and staff to participate in “privilege walks,” pressures educators to “acknowledge white skin privilege” and encourages students to be “activist[s] and .. Deemar filed a complaint against the district Department of Education determined the district was in violation of Title VI which prohibits discrimination based on race color or national origin in any program or activity receiving federal funding the Biden administration dismissed the case in 2024 Southeastern Legal Foundation and District 65 could not be reached for comment The development comes just days after a similar investigation was launched against Chicago Public Schools That investigation focuses on Chicago’s newly launched “Black Student Success Plan,” which is alleged to violate federal anti-discrimination laws by focusing on one group of students Terms of Use • Privacy Notice • Cookie Policy • Terms of Sale Equity actors for all shows in 2025-26 season (see breakdown) NOTES: Northlight Theatre is interested in seeing all actors at this EPA: actors of any race age and ability are encouraged to audition regardless of the character descriptions for the plays in our upcoming season It is the intention of Northlight Theatre to understudy all Equity roles with non-union actors Northlight would like to see actors perform a monologue of their choice that is no more than two minutes in length Associate Artistic Director/Northlight Casting See production-specific personnel in breakdown This EPA will service all shows for our 2025-26 season EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions THE FIRST LADY OF TELEVISION by James Sherman (World Premiere) - Character descriptions as detailed by the playwright ARLENE McQUADE (Also plays Rosalie) Female based on the original play by Patrick Hamilton - character descriptions as detailed by playwright TWO POLICE OFFICERS-SUPPLEMENTAL EXTRAS / PAID HOURLY MARY JANE by Amy Herzog - character descriptions as detailed by playwright THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR by Paul Slade Smith - character descriptions as detailed by playwright a successful Broadway playwright: quick-witted; resourceful; optimistic; the engine of our play a young novelist: naive; sincere; a romantic with both the brilliant mind and unwary heart of a poet male Charlotte's husband and co-playwright: a pessimist to her optimist who delights in being her foil; a skilled writer of quips the Housekeeper: a nebulous Eastern European accent a Broadway singer and actress: easily cast as the sweet and beautiful ingenue but realizing she's wiser and stronger than the characters she plays mid-20s to early 30s-DIRECT OFFER IN PROCESS a Broadway leading man - and an idiot: impressively self-involved; the handsomest LORT Non-Rep $800 weekly minimum (LORT D) Thank You!You have now been added to the list Blocking belongson the stage,not on websites Our website is made possible bydisplaying online advertisements to our visitors Please consider supporting us bywhitelisting playbill.com with your ad blocker.Thank you This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Your browser is ancient! Upgrade to a different browser or install Google Chrome Frame to experience this site Press Contact: Kara Deniz Phone: (202) 497-6610 Email: kdeniz@teamster.org (SKOKIE, Ill.) – Teamsters at the DIL7 Amazon delivery station in Skokie, Ill., have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike as part of their fight for a union contract that improves wages and benefits and strengthens workplace safety. This follows Amazon Teamsters at two New York City facilities announcing on Friday that they had authorized strikes “The way Amazon treats its workers is un-American,” said Teamsters General President Sean M “Amazon’s so-called ‘leaders’ should treat their workers fairly — they just want to put food on the table for their families Amazon executives risk ruining the holidays for their customers because of their addiction to putting profits over people.” DIL7 serves thousands of households throughout Chicagoland The Teamsters represent hundreds of workers at the facility “Amazon is one of the biggest companies on Earth but we are struggling to pay our bills,” said Riley Holzworth “Other workers are seeing our example and joining our movement because we are only going to get the treatment we deserve if we fight for it.” Since these workers joined the Teamsters Amazon has illegally refused to recognize their union and bargain a labor agreement The Teamsters gave Amazon a deadline of December 15 to come to the bargaining table and negotiate a contract Amazon chose to ignore that deadline and is pushing workers across the country closer to launching a strike that could disrupt operations for customers at the height of the holiday season Peter Kaspari is a blogger and a freelance reporter he has written for newspapers in both Iowa and Illinois including spending multiple years covering crime and courts he served as the editor for The Lake Forest Leader Peter is also a longtime resident of Wilmette and New Trier High School alumnus Evelyn and Bill Wegner in their Skokie home holding a photo of their daughter Lauren Wegner who was killed in November 2022 when authorities say Shane Jason Woods crashed his pickup truck into her car on Interstate 55 When the dark GMC Sierra suddenly sped past him north on Interstate 55 in November 2022 the downstate police officer had to floor it The officer flipped on his lights and siren prompting the truck’s driver to pull off around Springfield’s southern border He faced serious prison time — over his role in the Jan the officer could be heard pleading with the truck driver: “Don’t do this!” this time into the southbound lanes of I-55 it caused a fiery crash involving a maroon Mercury Sable with a simple four-letter license plate: “WEGZ.” Now Shane Jason Woods, a 47-year-old Taylorville man once sentenced to 4 ½ years in prison for assaulting two people at the U.S. Capitol, faces trial for the first-degree murder of 35-year-old Lauren Wegner of Skokie in that crash detailed in police and court records The trial is set to begin Monday in Springfield But no case in the state ever turned as tragic as Woods’ The HVAC repairman from central Illinois allegedly became distraught and suicidal over his federal conviction — which Trump moved to wipe away a little more than two years later But Woods remains in custody to this day over the death of Wegner who had no connection to the Capitol riot but was in the wrong place at the wrong time One suffered broken bones and severe bruising Officials say Woods’ blood-alcohol content after the collision measured 0.177% Woods’ defense attorney couldn’t be reached for comment Bill Wegner described her to the Chicago Sun-Times as “a ray of sunshine” who “could light up a room walking in.” He said he liked to call her his “bestest gurl.” Lauren Wegner went to Niles West High School She worked as a bartender at Morrison Roadhouse in Niles She’d been on her way to visit friends in St Evelyn and Bill Wegner hold a photo of their daughter Lauren Wegner who was killed in November 2022 on I-55 downstate when the driver of a GMC Sierra traveling the wrong way crashed into her car Shane Jason Woods stands trial this week in her death Police records show Lauren Wegner’s car had a North Carolina license plate Her father explained back in 2022 that he’d recently urged her to return home to Skokie and she told him she was “so happy” shortly before her death that meant so much to me,” Bill Wegner said in 2022 Now Bill Wegner is suing Woods and the officers involved in the incident over his daughter’s death His lawsuit alleges officers engaged in an unauthorized pursuit of a suicidal person Bill Wegner told the Sun-Times late last week he doesn’t want Woods “to be able to walk away from this “Because my daughter wasn’t able to walk away from it,” Bill Wegner said “It would be nice for justice to actually be served.” traced Woods’ politically violent rhetoric to Sept the day Trump said during a presidential debate that militia groups like the Proud Boys should “stand back and stand by.” “Us proud boys are his civilian militia in case violence starts,” Woods allegedly wrote in a text message to a friend the feds say Woods spread conspiracy theories including that fake ballots had been used and that Trump “watermarked the real ones.” Woods allegedly predicted on Jan that events in the nation’s capital would be “biblical.” Federal prosecutors say this image shows Shane Jason Woods assaulting a U.S he lowered his shoulder and rammed into an officer who’d already been sprayed with a chemical irritant Woods knocked her off her feet while she chased the person who sprayed it and he sent her crashing into a bicycle barricade on the lower west terrace of the Capitol’s northwest corner Woods took a running start and hit a cameraman with a blindside shoulder-tackle and he pleaded guilty to two criminal charges on Sept His plea agreement laid out the maximum prison time he faced: nine years Divernon Police Officer Patrick Hurley spotted the speeding GMC Sierra at 7:13 p.m and the truck turned off exit 88 before pulling onto the right shoulder Hurley wrote in a report that he “identified” the driver as Woods But records from the civil suit filed by Lauren Wegner’s father claim “Woods had an ongoing romantic relationship with Hurley’s family member.” Woods complained he’d been kicked “out of the house” and he was on his way to a motel The officer said he asked Woods whether he’d been drinking — Woods denied it — and he told Woods he planned to give him a speeding ticket That’s when Woods allegedly said he “didn’t care,” because he was “looking at 10 years in the next couple months and wouldn’t pay it anyway.” Woods allegedly said he was “worth more dead than alive.” Hurley’s report didn’t mention Woods’ role in the Capitol riot it said Woods referenced “tax evasion for hundreds of thousands of dollars.” But an assisting Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy wrote in a report that “Officer Hurley stated the driver was Shane Woods and he was going to be going to prison for 10 years due to the capitol incident.” An Illinois State Police trooper who later saw Woods at a hospital noted the Capitol riot “may have been motive” for the crash Hurley’s sergeant told him Woods needed to be evaluated at a hospital — voluntarily or involuntarily But after speaking to the Sangamon County deputy Hurley returned to Woods’ truck and discovered Woods had started the engine The officer asked Woods to turn off the truck The Sangamon County deputy heard Hurley tell him loudly “don’t do this!” The deputy even noted that Hurley tried to open the driver’s side door of the truck driving west until he reached the southbound exit from I-55 Woods allegedly turned onto the ramp — and traveled north he saw “a fire ball in the southbound lanes of I-55.” Hurley and the Sangamon County deputy carefully made their way onto the highway and called for ambulances The officer made note of Woods’ cell phone which displayed the word “MOM.” When Woods was later removed from the truck the officer’s report also makes a cryptic reference to a white man wearing a hat the person allegedly took Woods’ cell phone out of Hurley’s hands “I never saw this individual again,” Hurley wrote Federal prosecutors brought up Woods’ alleged tax evasion when it came time for his sentencing in October 2023 in Washington District Judge Amit Mehta to sentence Woods to nearly six years behind bars Prosecutors filed a 38-page memo requesting the stiffer sentence they told the judge how Woods allegedly explained to a probation officer that he’d earned $150,000 a year through his heating and air conditioning business — and that he’d paid no taxes since 2017 It was more evidence of Woods’ “criminal refusal to abide by the law and his selfish disregard for the impact of his actions on others,” prosecutors wrote But they saved their harshest rhetoric for the crash that took Lauren Wegner’s life They wrote that Woods’ behavior was “cowardly.” That it was “monstrous.” And they said it was “devoid of any consideration of others.” They wrote that it was just like his actions “on January 6.” A trucker was killed in a fiery crash with a passenger vehicle on the Edens Expressway about 3:50 Tuesday morning A trucker was killed and another person was injured in a fiery crash involving a semi and another vehicle early Tuesday on the Edens Expressway in north suburban Skokie The two-vehicle crash happened around 3:50 a.m in the southbound lanes just north of Touhy Avenue The semi driver was pronounced dead after suffering life-threatening injuries The driver of the passenger vehicle was taken to an area hospital with unspecified injuries All southbound lanes were shut down minutes after the crash and reopened around 10:10 a.m. No further information was immediately available 2025 at 11:53 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Ann Tennes is running for Skokie Mayor IL — Ann Tennes is running for Mayor of Skokie in the April 1 election Tennes has served as Trustee for Oakton College in Des Plaines and Board Chairperson Tennes currently the President of Ann Tennes Communications LLC and previously served as the Director of Marketing and Communications in Skokie until 2023 She is running for Mayor against David "Azi" Lifsics and Charles Isho Learn more about Tennes and her goals for Skokie: ann4mayor.com The most pressing issues facing our (board and this is what I intend to do about them There is so much that is wonderful about Skokie - a renowned public library excellent schools and unsurpassed municipal services there are important opportunities for improvement Ending the Village’s pattern of entering into development agreements with unreliable which has resulted in stalled or failed projects that have cost jobs in the community and left taxpayers on the hook for millions This trend started in 2018 with the 8000 North development project at Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street residents are wondering about the status of the stalled hotel project that is an eyesore in downtown Skokie It’s time for better vetting of developers smarter contracts that better protect Village resources and engagement with the community – not just to keep residents up-to-date but also to ensure that they have a voice in shaping how Skokie grows Ensuring that the Village is taking all steps possible to curb the explosion in the rat population throughout Skokie which is frustrating residents and business owners alike After years of trying to combat the issue in-house the Village recently began using an outside vendor Are the services provided appropriate to meet this challenge This also seems like a good time to step back and consider other solutions not yet tried For example: Are there ways to address this issue regionally in partnership with neighboring communities What innovative solutions are working in other communities Improving transparency and accessibility at Village Hall I will expand Village Hall hours to include early late and weekend options so working residents can conveniently conduct business with the Village I also will restructure the Village Board meeting agendas to move public comments to the beginning so residents don’t have to wait hours to voice their concerns I will have a table at public events such as the Skokie Farmers’ Market open-invitation coffees at Skokie coffee shops and encourage other Village leaders to do the same There’s so much more the Village can do in terms of meeting residents where they are and listening and engaging with them on a regular basis What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post I am the only candidate with more than 35 years of experience in local government and non-profit leadership more than 25 years of which have been in Skokie I have a strong vision for our community backed up by decades of experience and a proven track record of building consensus I am the only candidate for Skokie mayor who has: in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency) We have so much to be proud of in Skokie – great schools and a state-of-the-art library – but in recent years Village leadership has let us down and not listening to the community it serves Village leaders approved a Carvana used-car tower to be built across from Harms Woods despite widespread opposition from residents and environmentalists reflects a pattern of Village leadership entering into disadvantageous development agreements with poorly resourced This boondoggle has cost taxpayers millions and left residents wondering for years what will be done to resolve this downtown eyesore The rat issue in Skokie has also been left to fester Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform transparent process where the opinions of all residents and business leaders are heard This is essential to increasing overall confidence in the Skokie government as evidenced by the 2024 Skokie Community Survey Fostering an atmosphere of collegiality and collaboration with the newly-elected Village Board This is an unprecedented election in Skokie unaffiliated with any other candidates so that I can enter the Office of Mayor ready to forge strong working relationships with all newly elected or re-elected officials I believe that the community is ready for a new civil type of discourse at Village Board meetings I have a proven record of facilitating this type of collaboration building consensus and treating differences of opinion with respect some Skokie residents and groups will be disappointed I will work hard to assure them that even though their chosen candidate did not prevail they are valued and will have seats at the table Ensuring a positive transition to Skokie’s new hybrid District representation system Having lived and worked in towns with different systems I’ve had the opportunity to see both at-large and ward/district models up close While I didn’t vote in favor of changing Skokie’s at-large trustee model out of concern that it might lead trustees to act solely on behalf of their own districts rather than the greater good I will work hard to make the transition a smooth one Making prudent financial and economic development decisions This is key to a thriving economy in Skokie and to supporting all of the programs and services that contribute to the excellent quality of life in Skokie The stalled hotel project on Oakton Street I will ensure that: Within 30 days of my taking office there will be a report to the community discussed in open session with whatever information can be publicly shared We also will need these actions as the project’s current stalled position continues: Experts to assess the structure’s viability and also potential options for ensuring the property is put to the highest and best use for this important Downtown Skokie location The development agreement for this project and the initial 8000 North project are reviewed by outside experts who can advise the Village on the due diligence and/or contractual deficiencies that resulted in stalled and potentially failed projects that left taxpayers holding the bag individuals who work at Skokie businesses and visitors to our community is paramount facilities and equipment must be examined with each budget process We need a plan for getting Police Department staffing back to levels recommended by law enforcement experts The Village needs to continue to look for grants through state and possibly federal sources to underwrite the cost of public safety support Making Village Hall and Village leadership more accessible Reviewing the Village’s approach to rodent abatement It’s clear to residents and business owners that more is needed to get this problem under control Continually assessing infrastructure and physical plant needs This is important for staying ahead of repair/replacement issues that including the Village’s ability to attract and retain quality staff that represent the community’s demographics Utilizing emerging technologies for this assessment Residents are concerned about traffic safety in their neighborhoods and walkability along Skokie’s major thoroughfares I will continue to examine areas for additional traffic safety measures and work with Cook County and the Illinois Department of Transportation on safety and improvements for major roadways under their jurisdiction Examining and assisting residents with property standards I will: Examine gaps in property standards and chart a course to enforce existing codes and change standards where necessary Look for funding to support residents who cannot afford the property improvements necessary to comply with property standards requirements Depoliticizing the Corporation Counsel’s Office The Village’s legal department should not involve itself in community politics The absence of political involvement and influence by Village attorneys is standard practice in nearly all other neighboring communities Skokie’s legal department is staffed with competent We can retain this professionalism while removing involvement in community politics Leading the community through the current national uncertainty Skokie will keep doing what we’re best at - valuing a diverse community that celebrates our differences and looks out for each other We’ll continue to be a place where the rule of law and civil protections matter I hope that we can keep a lot of the chaos going on at the federal level at bay but the fact is that we may well contend with What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job While working as the Village of Skokie’s Director of Marketing and Communications I didn’t arrive in Skokie just a few years ago but chose to move my family here in 2010 I have a 35-year track record of local government and nonprofit leadership experience more than 25 years of which took place in Skokie I served here in elected and appointed positions I’ve gained a reputation for being someone who can bring people with different perspectives together I’d urge them to look at candidates' resumes and how we’ve interacted with residents during this campaign When you’ve been in public service as long as I have the odds are that even if I haven’t met you yet I’ve likely worked on a local issue with one of your neighbors what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success My vision for Skokie is for it to be a thriving sustainable and friendly community that innovates and sets an example for other communities to follow Here’s how I’d work to realize this vision: create an economic development plan with ample community input that includes specific short- mid- and long-term actions for building up every retail industrial and office/research corridor in Skokie Economically sound: The economic development plan will focus on myriad components of Skokie’s diverse economy Maintaining this diversity is key to a recession-proof economy that adds to Skokie’s resilience Economic diversity helped Skokie maintain services and avoid staff layoffs during the great recession of 2007 to 2009 chief among them Skokie’s diverse residents dedicated businesses that invest in the community and Skokie’s many valued community partners I learned that these community partnerships are key to a strong resilient community that can weather any storm I saw firsthand how when crises or threats occurred - whether internal or external - community partners pulled together under the banner of ‘How can we help?’ and ‘What do you need?’ As mayor I will continue to build these relationships - most of which I’ve already had in place for decades - to further strengthen our community Sustainable: We need to remain focused on the Village’s Environmental Sustainability Plan the Skokie can continue to work toward the plan's ambitious goals while serving as a model for other communities government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking The Village’s budget needs to be examined to ensure that the priority expenditures accurately reflect the community’s values and needs The greatest portion of the budget supports the Village’s employee base with wages and benefits Judicious spending of taxpayer dollars that are aligned with community needs and values is paramount Some areas for additional revenue that will be explored: Efficiency Assessments of Village Programs What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town I’m committed to ensuring Skokie is a town where everyone who lives The most recent crime data published by the Skokie Police Department shows an increase in crime after a dip during the COVID-19 pandemic Hate and bias-based crimes also are increasing Police Department staffing levels must continue to be examined to ensure that staffing is adequate for both superior public safety and a work environment that attracts and retains quality public safety staff Skokie Police personnel need to have all of the appropriate training and equipment to serve the community and keep crime levels from increasing Grants and outside funding should be sought to fund public safety initiatives Other infrastructure issues are also important Outreach to and engagement with all communities in all neighborhoods and as fostering positive neighbor-to-neighbor interactions What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development but overall it has been pretty scattershot It is essential that the Village create an economic development plan for the community This plan would address how to shore up businesses in all sectors and neighborhoods of Skokie so that the Village has a set plan to support and increase economic growth The plan must include input from local community leaders and residents to ensure that the economic development strategy reflects the diverse needs of Skokie we need to look at methods of making the permitting process easier for residents and businesses a one-stop-shopping system should be explored The Village currently offers certain financial incentives to businesses for interior and exterior improvements These incentives are paid to businesses in arrears with business owners sometimes waiting months for reimbursement While we must continue to be good stewards of taxpayer funds this reimbursement method needs to be reviewed and other models explored to ensure we’re doing all we can to foster small business development I’d consider a number of other steps to drive economic development in Skokie what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents What will need to be done to make this happen What I’ve heard over and over from residents throughout the last year and in the decades that I worked for the Village And they’re right: a diverse economy with thriving small businesses is essential to a balanced It’s time to make sure that we’re not just incentivizing large multinational companies to come to or stay in Skokie but also looking out for small- and medium-sized local businesses: the Village offers certain financial incentives to businesses for interior and exterior improvements Targeted tax incentives and grants can be put in place for small and medium-sized Skokie businesses particularly those in underserved areas or with innovative ideas From a volunteer with whom I once worked: The only people who don’t make mistakes are people who don’t do anything From another volunteer: Your 50% is way better than everyone else’s 100% What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions This election stands to bring in a number of first-time trustees – new voices – into Village leadership With this potentially significant leadership transition as well as transition to the hybrid representation model it’s going to be very important to have a mayor with institutional knowledge and proven leadership skills to support them so they can be effective in these new roles Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. — Skokie voters went to the polls on April 1 amidst a closely watched mayoral election to decide whether or not to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV) 58% of participating voters said ‘Yes’ to changing how the city conducts elections.  The vote follows decisive RCV victories in neighboring Evanston in 2022 and Oak Park in 2024 The binding referendum asked whether the village of Skokie should elect its mayor and board of trustees using RCV — an electoral system that gives voters the opportunity to rank candidates in order of preference rather than just choosing a single candidate.  if no candidate has received a majority of the votes the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed to the remaining candidates according to voters' second choices This process is repeated until one candidate receives a majority Read the full text of the Skokie ballot question approved by 58 percent of voters here.  Skokie’s Village Board of Trustees previously declined to put the referendum on the November 2024 ballot. This led pro-democracy activists to gather 2,400 signatures from Skokie’s registered voters to place the RCV referendum on the April 1 ballot.  Skokie residents also chose a new independent mayor for the first time since the 1990s. Ann Tennes, who ran as an independent, defeated Charles Isho and David “Azi” Lifsics, winning the three-way race with 48.57% of the vote.  When Skokie implements its new citizen-initiated law neither Tennes nor any other candidate can win an election outright with less than 50% of the vote The village is perhaps best known for the 1977 U.S which affirmed First Amendment protections during a highly controversial attempted march by neo-Nazis through a community with a large population of Holocaust survivors This moment in history was the impetus for the founding of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, which today includes the Take a Stand Center and Take a Stand Lab interactive exhibits designed to encourage visitors to participate actively in democracy The Independent Voter Project (IVP) and its sister organization the Foundation for Independent Voter Education (FIVE) published IVN to be a new kind of news network and provide unfiltered political news and policy analysis from across the political spectrum 2025 at 1:26 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}James Iverson (right) is running for Skokie District 4 Trustee IL — James Iverson is running for District 4 Trustee in Skokie's April 1 election Iverson has worked as a consumer goods broker Iverson currently runs sales and marketing company F&I Marketing He is running against Edward Olivieri for District 4 Trustee in Skokie Learn more about Iverson and his goals for Skokie: www.jim4skokie.com Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering - University of Illinois Everyone is concerned about rats and the stalled hotel project on Oakton Our downtown needs to be healthy and vital because it is a focus of our Village and because it makes the greatest impression on guests and visitors to Skokie The character of our downtown is formed by small businesses Our Village cares about small businesses but is largely distracted by larger We need to direct more resources towards small businesses and we will see better returns on our investments Skokie housing is less affordable than it should be investments in our small landlords will provide better It will also improve housing standards for tenants The board votes on deals presented to the Village by developers and our recent track record indicates that we have not done a good job of evaluating those deals I think our Village may be too intent on landing large projects I do not think the return is worth our investment I benefit from my age - almost 40 years of experience in business I have almost always functioned as a middleman and that has helped me understand people and especially people with opposing positions which has allowed me to work well with a broad spectrum of people so we are at a stage of life where I have time to devote to being a trustee The 4th District Trustee is a new position I think that they have been overly focused on big projects and insufficiently focused on small businesses and landlords A lot of people in our village feel unheard and a District Trustee can help bridge the gap between people and the Village so everyone better understands one another and it is important to me that we always act first as neighbors Adversarial relationships do not need to be unethical or even impolite My wife and I ran two retail businesses in downtown Skokie I have run fundraising for intellectual disabilities for the Knights of Columbus for many years I have worked on important engineering projects and I developed software that is used in almost all US nuclear plants and many international plants I have served hundreds of clients as a consultant and as a CPG broker I have met a very large number of Skokie people I hope that people I have met have confidence in me and will share their feelings about me with others Our family cares about service and commitment my son Nick works as a CNA in a Skokie nursing home and my son Isaiah serves as an Army Lieutenant If our small business and landlords were thriving if our neighbors were actively enjoying our village and our fiscal policy has been conservative we are not critical enough when considering projections we do not do enough to examine expected returns on investment and we do not make use of past results to predict future performance They already make themselves visible at Skokie events and engage with people and I'd love to see as much as possible of that I think that small businesses and landlords are crucial to the personality of our village and we need to rebalance our focus onto them Residents are frustrated by the failed hotel development on Oakton and they were frustrated by the changes and delays at the Highpoint have also expressed concerns about our property standards and properties failing to meet them the Village will need to provide resources to allow for repairs the Village must work closely and amicably with the owner It is important that responsible owners feel that the Village is on their side small-town character makes everyone feel welcome and that was a perfect fit for our candy store That store served intellectually disabled people and we later added an art gallery with the same mission because it is a place where regular people send their children to exceptional schools have friends and neighbors from all over the world 2025 at 2:22 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Keith Robinson is running for Skokie At-Large Trustee Robinson is running for Trustee At-Large in Skokie's April 1 election an English teacher and football coach at Evanston Township High School Dean of Students at Niles West High School Assistant Principal for Operations at Niles North High School and currently as Associate Principal for Educational Services at Evanston Township High School He is running against Joseph Nowik, Khemarey "Khem" Khoeun and Gail Schechter for Skokie At-Large Trustee Learn more about Robinson and his goals for Skokie: keithandkhem.com Ball State University; MA (2000) Education Administration & Supervision Roosevelt University; EdD (2014) Educational Leadership my top priorities for Skokie include strengthening community engagement advancing sustainability and infrastructure and ensuring an inclusive and thriving village for all residents My approach is rooted in practical solutions: The critical difference is that I have been a lifelong educator I bring a proven track record of human-centered leadership and proactive authentic engagement for the last 30+ years I have worked diligently to provide alternative perspectives ensuring that all voices—especially those from marginalized communities—are heard and valued in decision-making I remain committed to building on this progress and forward-thinking community for all residents I have respect for the work of the other candidates and their service to the community as advocates At the core of my work is a commitment to community Being a good neighbor means creating spaces of belonging our strength lies in embracing multiple perspectives and lived experiences When leadership reflects the people it serves and residents feel more connected to their local government True belonging happens at all levels—neighbor-to-neighbor I believe in protecting the rights of immigrant neighbors I am a trained member of Skokie’s Rapid Response Team This initiative is rooted in the belief that "knowledge is power" and that every resident—including our undocumented neighbors—deserves to have their rights protected Through "Know Your Rights" training and advocacy we provide critical support to ensure that all members of our community feel safe My goal is to ensure every voice is heard and every resident feels connected to Skokie By prioritizing inclusivity and collaboration more united community where everyone feels like they belong I have worked to advance policies that promote equity With over 30 years as an educator—serving as a teacher and Associate Principal—my career has been dedicated to service My passion is uplifting the next generation connecting students and families with resources and guiding communities through both challenges and successes my commitment to service extends deeply into the community Board Member and President of Foundation65 and currently serve on the Foundation Board at Ball State University and the FAN Board I am an active member of The Chessmen of the North Shore and a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity along with participation in numerous professional organizations Public service is not just a role—it is my life’s work My lived experiences provide me with a deep understanding of the diverse needs of our community and a commitment to building strong relationships Voters can trust me because I serve as a conduit for resources I listen and a leader who believes in the power of humanity to drive meaningful change Supports maintaining Skokie’s 35-year property tax freeze while investing responsibly in infrastructure seek broader ways of transparency with the budget planning process and I want to commend the Skokie Police Department for its dedication to serving our community the department has taken meaningful steps to enhance public trust The Co-Responder Program is a critical initiative that integrates mental health professionals into emergency response efforts By addressing crises with trained professionals alongside law enforcement we reduce the risk of escalation and ensure that individuals in need receive appropriate care This program not only supports community members facing mental health challenges but also allows officers to focus on public safety in a more effective and compassionate manner the implementation of body and dashboard cameras represents a significant advancement in transparency and accountability These tools help to ensure fair and just engagement with people while also enhancing the safety of both officers and residents They provide an objective record of interactions building greater community trust and reinforcing our commitment to justice including the addition of 1,500 new housing units that provide diverse living options A major milestone is the redevelopment of Old Orchard Shopping Center where new residential units will offer convenient access to shopping and transportation while boosting the local economy we must revitalize vacant lots and empty buildings throughout Skokie Strategic commercial development can attract businesses and entertainment venues that reflect our village’s diversity and strengthen our community identity and green infrastructure to ensure we are doing our part for a safer environment Skokie residents have consistently expressed a strong desire for continued investment in infrastructure and thoughtful development One key challenge we face is the unfinished hotel project in downtown Skokie Due to post-COVID disruptions in building materials and labor the project remains stalled and is currently tied up in legal proceedings it would have further enhanced our already thriving downtown which has seen approximately 15 new businesses I believe it is critical to either see the hotel project realized or explore alternative opportunities that will contribute to the vibrant experience of downtown Skokie for residents and visitors alike there are key areas throughout the village that require attention The Main Street Corridor presents a significant opportunity for revitalization ensuring that businesses and infrastructure improvements support economic growth and community engagement we must focus on vacant lots and underutilized spaces along Dempster and other areas throughout Skokie turning them into productive developments that serve the needs of residents and attract new businesses Strategic planning and investment in these areas will further strengthen Skokie’s economic vitality and enhance the overall quality of life for our community ultimately did not move forward due to challenges at the state level one significant outcome of this process was Skokie’s leadership in implementing enhanced bird mitigation standards—some of the strongest in Illinois and across the country This reflects our commitment to responsible and sustainable development that considers both economic and environmental impacts We must use our critical thinking skills to ask questions and seek understanding and clarification when there is a concern my great-grandmother would always remind met that One of the most important lessons I have learned in public service is the power of the people When residents come together—whether by organizing or advocating for change—it is a clear reminder that democracy thrives when the voices of the community are heard The will of the people shapes the decisions we make and I remain committed to upholding that covenant of trust and accountability Public service is not about personal agendas—it is about representing the collective vision of our community I have served on multiple boards and committees Every challenge has reinforced the importance of patience and staying focused on solutions that serve the best interests of all Skokie residents I remain dedicated to finishing what I started I am eager to continue working in a way that is even more representative and responsive to the needs of our entire village I have demonstrated my ability to work with all of Skokie and I look forward to serving as an At-Large Trustee ensuring that every resident has a voice in shaping the future of our community 2025 at 10:46 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Lissa Levy is running for District 3 Trustee IL — Lissa Levy is running for Trustee in Skokie's third district in the April 1 election Levy currently works as a food stylist and said she was inspired to run for office after hearing about the insights struggles hopes and visions of her fellow Skokie residents She is running for District 3 Trustee unopposed Learn more about Levy and her goals for Skokie: www.LissaLovesSkokie.com I intend to increase Village transparency by communicating with residents and business owners in a proactive manner I would seek to equalize the tax burden throughout the Village so that no district is disproportionately taxed I would like to overhaul the public outreach so that it is easier and more streamlined to do business in the Village: apply for permits I intend to adhere to the Environmental Sustainability Plan passed by the Village I will require that all new developments include our minimum of 7% affordable units and seek to find ways to increase housing affordability in rehab and re-development projects as I suspect that I accurately reflect the needs of my district and the community knows me to be a steadfast guardian of their interests Skokie residents voted to create four voting districts to each be represented by a dedicated Trustee This is the first election in which this new change is taking place Each of the four District Trustee positions are new The challenges of the current Board are that they do not accurately represent the will of the residents of Skokie we need to right the course of Skokie governance The current Board has failed to maintain vibrant commercial areas beyond Old Orchard Shopping Center respond to the concerns of residents in certain districts I'm focused on giving a voice to those historically underrepresented in Skokie and to solving problems in a collaborative I would like to approach governance with the needs of the people in mind meaning that I will support initiatives that increase public transportation reimagine the economic drivers of the Village My entire career has been focused on working collaboratively on various projects with a team comprised of an array of talents Working alongside people with competing views that require resolution is at the heart of every project I deeply care about my community as evidenced by founding and running Meetup on Main grassroots collective that brings economic development to blighted areas Our flagship Summer event series is free to the public and provides a venue for residents and others to come together and get to know each other It is through this activism that has made the Main Street redevelopments possible and has begun to transform an area that had been in disrepair for over 30 years Meetup on Main is a framework that can be replicated anywhere and I hope to bring the principles to other neighborhoods that need public attention As the only person running unopposed in this election I have made it a point to reach out to all of my fellow candidates by offering free notarial services to anyone running for office I aim to prove that good governance includes developing and maintaining productive professional relationships not only with those who also serve Success in serving means that we will have given voice to our residents protected the rights of our community as they face uncertainty from the national stage developed better supports for our small businesses started long-term projects for affordable housing (including sustainable infrastructure like increased bike lanes access to electric vehicle charging stations and increased resident engagement in the Village We need to make sure that our expenditures reflect our values we should be finding ways to allocate funds into projects that will have lasting especially when those taxes don't offer the supports and services needed We must shift away from a top-down approach to spending and invest in projects but rather an approach that centers the people who live here and their needs the best way to fight crime is to combat it at the source This means that resources spent on education and mental health supports can go a very long way in reducing crime we need to make sure that the Police have the tools and resources needed while also funding projects that are shown to reduce crime and lessen the burden on officers and other satellite professionals can lighten the load on officers allowing them to be able to respond to calls efficiently and with as little negative impact on the community as possible I support sensible gun laws and a ban on semi-automatic firearms within the Village the Village Board has a sad track record of disinvestment in small businesses and new housing construction that matches the needs of the community My view is that the Village Board should seek to serve the needs of residents and small business owners who live and work here streamlined approach to business development and tools/resources/personnel to shepherd people throughout the process of opening a business and keeping a business open We need to have housing policies that reflect our diversity- socially we must be looking to residential development in many ways but also multi-family units that are affordable mixed-used developments that provide a human-scale lifestyle (not vehicle dependent) The vast majority of the feedback I hear is a desire for walkable streets all with environmental sustainability in mind we need to seriously reexamine the zoning in Skokie to eliminate some of the barriers to building projects that are overwhelmingly popular within the community Don't take advice from anyone you don't respect I intend to be accessible and open to hearing their voices I will stand behind the decisions I make and am available to respectfully discuss our differences 2025 at 9:22 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Village of Skokie swore in six new six trustees the village clerk and the mayor sworn in before a packed room IL — Skokie Village Hall was packed to the brim Monday night as the community gathered to witness the swearing in of six trustees New Mayor Ann Tennes was met with enthusiasm as she was sworn in The trustees that were sworn in were at-large trustees Keith Robinson and Gail Schechter as well as Kimani Levy in District 1; Alison Pure-Slovin in District 2; Lissa Levy in District 3; and James Iverson in District 4 Minal Desai was also sworn in as village clerk each elected official gave short statements in front of the audience "I would like to thank my fellow new board members for their love and care for our community and their willingness to serve transparency and heartfelt collaboration that centers on listening to the community the wonderful nonprofits and our government partners everyone who contributes to making our community as rich and strong as it is talented village staff," Tennes said at the meeting the new elected officials addressed the current political climate in the U.S and how they plan to best serve the Village during the turbulent time Schechter stressed the importance of hearing diverse perspectives in a non-violent and mutually supportive way "While we're no longer managing the global crisis of COVID-19 like we did before division and misinformation," Robinson said during his comments many officials urged the community to remember the importance of staying engaged with local politics in Skokie Every new official said they plan to work together with the community to achieve important milestones for the Village and I want you to look at the diversity of our community," Pure-Slovin said "It is astounding to see how many people have come here tonight and so grateful for that 2025 at 9:49 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}This will mark the first time Skokie has voted for a new mayor in 26 years IL — Election Day has come and gone in Skokie and unofficial results for the 2025 mayoral race show Ann Tennes as the projected winner which was held by current Mayor George Van Dusen since 1999 Skokie voters cast their votes for Charles Isho Ann Tennes or David "Azi" Lifsics for mayor This will mark the first time the village has voted for a new mayor in 26 years the Cook County Clerk's Office was reporting 1,427 out of 1,430 precincts Voter turnout this election was 16.92 percent with 286,013 ballots cast out of 1,690,660 registered voters in Cook County with 12,047 ballots cast out of 46,554 registered voters in the village Note that election results below are unofficial spoke with Patch about key issues in Skokie Isho did not respond to an interview request from Patch and hasn't attended any public forums No profiles or interviews with Isho are available online Police Department staffing levels must continue to be examined to ensure that staffing is adequate for both superior public safety and a work environment that attracts and retains quality public safety staff." Lifsics: "Skokie has a top-tier police department and we must ensure officers have the funding and equipment necessary to do their jobs effectively." Isho: "I am committed to work together with law enforcement to prioritize the safety of our schools and neighborhoods A secure environment is essential for families and businesses to prosper." Tennes: "It is essential that the Village create an economic development plan for the community This plan would address how to shore up businesses in all sectors and neighborhoods of Skokie so that the Village has a set plan to support and increase economic growth." Lifsics: "Skokie has done an admirable job balancing growth with maintaining the character of our community we must ensure that development is intentional and serves the long-term interests of residents and businesses alike." Isho: "Attracting businesses to Skokie is key to increasing revenue reducing taxes on residents and creating more jobs for our community I will focus on making Skokie a hub for thriving businesses while ensuring economic growth benefits everyone." Tennes: "Reviewing the Village’s approach to rodent abatement I will pursue regional and innovative approaches to the issue." Lifsics: According to Lifsics' campaign website if elected he plans to restore twice-a-week garbage collection to reduce the rat population improve sanitation and improve the quality of life for Skokie residents Isho: "I will work with residents to keep Skokie's streets and alleys clean tackling rodent problems and ensuring a healthy A clean environment is a vital part of a thriving community." 2025 at 5:18 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Khemarey "Khem" Khoeun is running for Skokie At-Large Trustee (Courtesy of Khemarey "Khem" Khoeun)SKOKIE IL — Current Trustee Khemarey "Khem" Khoeun is running for Trustee At-Large in Skokie's April 1 election Khoeun has over 20 years of professional experience in product management and civic engagement including serving as Skokie Park District Commissioner from 2017 to 2021 as the first Cambodian-American woman elected to public office in the U.S becoming the first Asian American woman on the board She is running against Joseph Nowik, Keith A. Robinson and Gail Schechter for Skokie At-Large Trustee Learn more about Khoeun and her goals for Skokie: The most pressing issues facing our board are ensuring we protect residents from property tax increases supporting small businesses to strengthen our local economy and making strategic investments in our infrastructure Skokie has maintained flat property taxes for over 35 years and I’m committed to continuing that legacy of fiscal responsibility efficient budget decisions that avoid placing additional burden on our residents — continuing to say no to property tax increases while growing our revenue base through thoughtful economic development I will continue supporting small businesses From helping entrepreneurs navigate the startup process to revitalizing our commercial corridors like Downtown Skokie and Main Street I will champion policies that help small businesses thrive and bring vibrancy to our neighborhoods we must invest in our infrastructure — from roads and water systems to digital infrastructure and sustainability efforts — to ensure Skokie remains a safe I will continue working in collaboration with other elected officials and government stakeholders at the county and federal levels to bring additional resources and funding to Skokie — expanding opportunities for investment in our infrastructure and community well-being without increasing the burden on local taxpayers and dedication to effective and inclusive governance sets me apart from other candidates I have a deep understanding of residents’ needs and local businesses’ challenges and institutional knowledge positions me to serve Skokie effectively during this pivotal moment in our community’s history my campaign is defined by a deep commitment to equity and sustainability — values that reflect who we are as a village and where we need to go I am committed to fostering meaningful community engagement in decision-making by making information more accessible to all residents This involves enhancing our Village website with content that is clear as well as increasing opportunities for community engagement By providing safe and welcoming spaces for residents to share their perspectives we can ensure they not only respond to policies but also actively participate in shaping the future of our village To ensure Skokie continues to be a diverse and welcoming community I am committed to promoting housing development and affordability This includes supporting a well-rounded mix of housing options and working closely with stakeholders to address evolving housing needs Achieving this requires a comprehensive housing study and the creation of a land trust These tools will enable us to develop effective policies that promote development and establish achievable benchmarks and milestones Environmental sustainability is another key focus of my campaign Skokie continues to work on its ambitious but achievable sustainability plan and I am committed to advancing efforts in green infrastructure we can ensure that Skokie remains a sustainable climate-resilient community for future generations while also enhancing the quality of life for our residents today my leadership is rooted in collaboration and coalition-building — working across government levels and community sectors to bring in additional resources and create solutions that reflect the collective vision of Skokie’s diverse residents I have consistently demonstrated the leadership and collaboration skills needed to handle the responsibilities of this position These accomplishments demonstrate my ability to deliver results and navigate the complexities of local governance — all of which will allow me to effectively serve the people of Skokie Voters should trust me because I have a proven track record of delivering results and remaining committed to integrity and transparency My dedication to inclusive governance is rooted in my own experiences as a first-generation immigrant and as someone who has spent over 20 years working directly with diverse communities to create positive change I have always prioritized people over politics whether it’s through my work advocating for immigrant rights or ensuring that the voices of historically marginalized groups are heard in local decision-making My background in both civic engagement and professional leadership means I have the skills to navigate complex challenges I am committed to no property tax increases and investing in Skokie’s future — all while maintaining the values of equity I’ve consistently followed through on my promises and I will continue to do so as your Trustee the accomplishment that would make my term in office a success is achieving tangible long-term improvements that benefit all of Skokie’s residents — from maintaining our no property tax increases policy to revitalizing our local economy and ensuring that our infrastructure is robust Success to me means working collaboratively with community members and stakeholders to create policies that reflect our shared values and priorities I believe in fiscal responsibility and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and effectively Skokie has maintained its no property tax increases policy for 35 years and I am committed to upholding that legacy I believe we can continue to make smart investments in our community transparent budgeting and focusing on long-term solutions Government spending should be directed toward projects that enhance our infrastructure and promote the well-being of all residents I believe in accountability—ensuring that every dollar is spent with clear goals in mind and that residents see a direct benefit from the investments we make I will work to ensure that our fiscal policies are both responsible and forward-thinking balancing the immediate needs of our community with planning for future growth and sustainability My goal is to make decisions that reflect the best interests of taxpayers while fostering continued prosperity for Skokie Skokie continues to be a safe and welcoming community we must remain proactive in addressing crime concerns particularly hate incidents and violent crime A thriving community is built on public safety which requires investment in early intervention and prevention Safety also involves addressing root causes and preventing harm before it happens This includes using both quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends early on especially those related to hate incidents and hate crimes and taking decisive action before these incidents escalate I also strongly support our current co-responder program where mental health professionals and law enforcement work together to respond to calls involving behavioral health crises This approach not only gives residents the proper care they need but also allows officers to concentrate on crime prevention and response We must continue to invest in and strategically expand resources for this program so it becomes a more accessible and effective tool for the entire community prevention requires investment in community-building and strong neighborhood relationships—proven approaches that foster safety and belonging It's not just about policing; it's about creating a culture of care I believe we should invest in neighborhood watch programs and other community-driven initiatives that encourage residents to look out for one another Collaborating as a community to identify and address problems before they escalate can be just as effective as traditional law enforcement methods we can address crime more effectively and ensure that everyone in Skokie feels safe and supported Skokie has made great strides in commercial and residential development over the years especially in revitalizing areas like Downtown Skokie and Westfield Old Orchard I believe there is always more we can do to ensure that development aligns with the needs and values of our community the focus should be on attracting businesses that not only bring jobs and economic growth but also contribute to the character and vibrancy of our town I support efforts to continue revitalizing Skokie’s Main Street commercial corridor making it a destination for residents and visitors alike and the community will be essential to ensure that new development is sustainable and enhances the overall quality of life in our village I believe it’s important to maintain a balanced mix of housing options to ensure Skokie remains an affordable and diverse community We need to continue working toward solutions that allow for growth while respecting the character of our neighborhoods This includes affordable housing and housing that meets the needs of different generations and income levels whether through new developments or adaptive reuse of existing structures my approach to development would focus on ensuring that growth is sustainable I believe that by working together with all stakeholders we can build a Skokie that grows thoughtfully while preserving the qualities that make it such a great place to live there are several key areas where I believe improvements or additions are most wanted by residents: as well as a commitment to ensuring that growth is balanced with the needs of our community By aligning development with Skokie’s values of inclusivity we can ensure that future growth benefits everyone One of the most powerful lessons I learned is that leadership shows up in many different ways and that effective leadership doesn’t always have to be the loudest or most vocal It’s about understanding when to step forward and when to step back My approach to leadership is about being thoughtful and impactful — leading through actions that reflect the needs of the community and grounded in our shared values as a community Change for the sake of change can be destabilizing and short-sighted — leaving us drifting from the very foundations that make Skokie a strong it’s not enough to simply do things differently — we must do them with purpose as our community faces transitions and a pivotal opportunity to shape what comes next it’s critical that we come together to heal the divisions that have taken root and move forward not with fear or resentment My approach to leadership is about bringing people together — not pushing them apart — and ensuring that any changes we pursue are inclusive and strengthen the fabric of our community I am committed to advancing policies that reflect unity and long-term sustainability — where the voices and needs of all residents are recognized and respected Whether it’s protecting Skokie families by ensuring no property tax increases supporting small businesses as the backbone of our local economy promoting affordable and diverse housing options or investing in infrastructure and vibrant commercial corridors my focus remains on solutions that uplift the whole community a balance of fresh perspectives and institutional knowledge we can build a future that honors where we’ve been — and boldly embraces where we’re going I’m here to ensure that Skokie’s progress continues with thoughtfulness and a firm commitment to the values we all hold dear 2025 at 11:49 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Nathan Norman is running for Skokie Trustee in District 2 IL — Nathan Norman is running to represent District 2 in the Skokie April 1 election Norman is a public-service professional with 13 years of experience in local and state government Norman has served as Evanston’s Manager of Workforce Development and Illinois’s Director of Reentry and he is currently the Senior Director of He is running for District 2 Trustee against Alison Pure-Slovin Learn more about Norman and his goals for Skokie: Nathan4Skokie.com Masters of Public Policy and Administration Community engagement and transparency are the most critical issues facing our district I intend to address these challenges by creating more opportunities for residents to have a voice in local government through participatory processes I am more qualified academically and professionally I have 13 years of government experience and expertise My experience includes both the local and state levels of government I was prompted to run for office because I am passionate about public service I also decided to run because the current board has several failed projects around the village and I want to restore trust and transparency in the Village Board I served under three mayors in municipal government and have led successful public safety My proven track record of success is rooted in collaboration I took the ethics pledge because public service is a privilege that comes with great responsibility and transparency are the foundation of good governance I reaffirm my dedication to serving Skokie residents honestly and fairly I will always put the community's interests above personal or political gain and promoting electric vehicle charging stations it is essential to invest in energy-efficient public buildings retrofit municipal buildings for energy efficiency and incentivize green construction practices It is the village's duty to be fiscally responsible We should also leverage our resident's expertise and establish a participatory budgeting process that includes residents in the decision-making process I have a background in violence prevention and was a member of the executive leadership team of the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention We need to be proactive and work with our local law enforcement to deter crime and actively combat instances of violence I would conduct outreach efforts and meet with residents who have experienced violent crime to prevent future acts of violence I like that the village is encouraging affordable housing and mixed-use options for housing we must ensure that the village enforces the affordable housing ordinance Key areas of improvement need to be centered around maintaining infrastructure and projects The way I would approach achieving this and making sure projects are implemented with efficiency are the following: Always treat other people how you would like to be treated I am deeply committed to public service and the Skokie community Public service is a privilege that comes with great responsibility I reaffirm my dedication to serving Skokie residents with honesty and fairness I promise always to put the interests of the community above personal or political gain Minal Desai took the oath of office for the second time as Village Clerk of Skokie following her decisive election victory earlier this month A longtime community leader and banking professional Desai was initially appointed Village Clerk in 2024 to complete the term of retiring Clerk Pramod Shah against challengers Naema Abraham and James Johnson demonstrates the strong support she enjoys across the Skokie community “I am honored and humbled to continue serving the residents of Skokie,” said Desai during the swearing-in ceremony “My focus remains on making the Clerk’s Office more accessible and inclusive for every member of our diverse community.” and introduce mobile Clerk’s Office events to better meet the needs of Skokie’s residents Desai previously served as Vice President at Diamond Bank and was elected as the first South Asian Commissioner of the Skokie Park District Board in 2019 she is deeply committed to ensuring all residents feel connected to their local government “My goal is to bring greater transparency and community engagement to the Village Clerk’s Office,” Desai said “Skokie is a model of diversity and opportunity and I am proud to serve its people.” Parikh Worldwide Media is the largest Indian-American publishing group in the United States The group publishes five periodicals – “News India Times,” a national weekly newspaper; “Desi Talk in New York,” a weekly newspaper serving the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut region; and “Desi Talk in Chicago,” a weekly newspaper serving the Greater Chicago area and the Midwestern states; and “The Indian American,” a national online quarterly feature magazine The combined circulation and readership of these publications make the media group the most influential in the ethnic Indian market 2025 at 5:19 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Joseph Nowik is running for Skokie At-Large Trustee IL — Joseph Nowik is a cosultant and former Director of Operations who is running for At-Large Trustee in Skokie Learn more about Nowik and his goals for Skokie: Campaign Facebook and Instagram pages I am a graduate of Lane Technical High School and hold a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois I have also earned certifications in Six Sigma and completed various specialized training courses throughout my career Skokie faces three critical challenges: transparency and sustainable growth—and I’m ready to take action The key differences between me and the other candidates come down to experience and a commitment to fiscal responsibility: I have a track record of getting things done and I am ready to bring that same dedication to the Village Board to make Skokie stronger The current Village Board has failed Skokie residents through a lack of transparency and partisan control that shuts down debate I’m running because Skokie deserves independent leadership that puts residents first not just a political party and government efficiency to keep Skokie safe I have a proven record of fiscal responsibility and effective leadership that will benefit Skokie and practical solutions to Skokie’s Village Board to keep our community safe Voters should trust me because I have a proven track record of leadership and community service—and I have been proud to call Skokie home since 1986 I am running to ensure Skokie remains safe Success means delivering real improvements that residents can see and feel and better prepared for the future while maintaining strong property values I will ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and transparently to benefit residents Skokie deserves a government that spends efficiently but public safety must always be a top priority we must stay proactive to keep every neighborhood safe To combat crime—especially violent crime—we must: I will work to ensure Skokie remains a safe but we must attract the right projects while protecting neighborhood character and property values We need growth that benefits Skokie—not just developers forward-thinking development that strengthens our community I will regularly seek input from residents because a trustee—well at least me—does not have all the answers and I will make sure it is heard in development decisions that shape Skokie’s future I believe Skokie residents want smart development that enhances our community without compromising its character we can ensure that development in Skokie benefits residents—not just developers The best advice I’ve ever received is to listen more than I talk Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about understanding different perspectives well-informed decisions that truly serve the people I understand the values and concerns of our community because I’ve lived them I’ll fight to keep Skokie a great place to live and raise a family—ensuring strong services I will listen to residents and make decisions based on what’s best for Skokie—not politics 2025 at 8:04 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}On April 1 Skokie voters will either cast their votes for Charles Isho Ann Tennes or David "Azi" Lifsics for Mayor IL — For the first time in almost 30 years Skokie residents will vote for a new mayor Three candidates are running for the mayor's seat which has been held by current Mayor George Van Dusen since 1999 Ann Tennes or David "Azi" Lifsics for Mayor Striking Amazon workers and their supporters picket Thursday outside the company’s Skokie facility With less than a week before the holiday shopping rush ends Amazon workers in Skokie launched a strike this morning and joined other striking workers at six of the online retail giant’s facilities in New York It is unclear how long the strike will last On Thursday morning a few dozen workers wearing winter coats and hats marched outside the Skokie facility carrying signs that read “Amazon is Unfair” and other slogans An Amazon spokesperson on Thursday morning said the strikes in four states have not affected its operations Hundreds of workers at delivery station DIL7 in Skokie voted Monday to authorize a strike The site serves thousands of Chicago-area households which says it represents hundreds of delivery drivers in Skokie Workers there organized this summer and are demanding union recognition and a contract from Amazon richest corporations in the world,” Gabriel Irizarry “They talk a big game about taking care of their workers Amazon does not respect us and our right to negotiate for better working conditions and wages Nearly 10,000 Amazon workers have joined the Teamsters at 10 sites nationwide better benefits and improved safety conditions Those workers represent a fraction of the Seattle-based retailer’s 800,000 operations employees across the United States workers at other Amazon facilities also joined the picket line in New York City Amazon has not recognized the union affiliation at the Skokie facility subcontractors who drive for third-party delivery companies are not Amazon employees Therefore there is no obligation to negotiate She added that previous strikes at other Amazon sites have not affected operations and deliveries Amazon Teamsters at other facilities are prepared to join the picketing Teamsters local unions are also putting up primary picket lines at hundreds of Amazon Fulfillment Centers nationwide “If your package is delayed during the holidays We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members “These greedy executives had every chance to show decency and respect for the people who make their obscene profits possible they’ve pushed workers to the limit and now they’re paying the price Since workers in Skokie joined the Teamsters the online retailer “has illegally refused to recognize their union and bargain a labor agreement The Teamsters gave Amazon a deadline of Dec 15 to come to the bargaining table and negotiate a contract,” said a statement the labor union released Monday when drivers voted to authorize the strike “Amazon chose to ignore that deadline and is pushing workers across the country closer to launching a strike that could disrupt operations for customers at the height of the holiday season.” Earlier this month Amazon announced record sales during Black Friday Week and Cyber Monday from Nov the company announced third quarter net sales rose 11% to $158.9 billion compared to the previous year Net income jumped to $15.3 billion from $9.9 billion in the third quarter 2023 said in the Teamsters’ news release on Monday Other workers are seeing our example and joining our movement the Teamsters have continued to intentionally mislead the public — claiming that they represent ‘thousands of Amazon employees and drivers.’ They don’t and this is another attempt to push a false narrative about the independent small businesses who deliver on our behalf.” The Teamsters claim that Amazon avoids responsibility for its drivers through its “delivery service provider” subcontractor business model workplace conditions and safety standards of the drivers.” Preliminary findings from a National Labor Relations Board investigation in California this summer found that Amazon is a joint employer of its subcontractor drivers and has a legal duty to recognize and bargain with the Teamsters “The NLRB confirmed what every Amazon driver already knew: The [delivery service provider] system is a sham It is time for Amazon to take responsibility for the low pay and unsafe working conditions drivers face,” Deibi Reyes said in a Teamsters news release this summer “What you see here are almost entirely outsiders — not Amazon employees or partners — and the suggestion otherwise is just another lie from the Teamsters The truth is that they were unable to get enough support from our employees and partners and have brought in outsiders to come and harass and intimidate our team Hards of Amazon said in Tuesday’s statement “The truth is that the Teamsters have actively threatened intimidated and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them which is illegal and is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union.” The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million people in the United States 2025 at 10:35 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Minal Desai is running for Village Clerk for Skokie IL — Current Skokie Village Clerk Minal Desai is running to continue serving in the role for the April 1 election Desai has worked in banking and business development including as Vice President at Diamond Bank She has also served on the Skokie Park District Board and Chamber of Commerce Desai was appointed Village Clerk in April 2024 after previous Village Clerk Pramod Shah's retirement She is running against Naema Abraham and James Johnson for Skokie Village Clerk Learn more about Desai and her goals for Skokie: minalforclerk.com combined with my professional experience in banking and business development equip me with a strong foundation in community engagement and organizational leadership—skills that directly inform my work as Skokie Village Clerk I serve as the official keeper of records for the Village of Skokie responsible for maintaining key public documents such as Village Board meeting minutes I also act as a passport acceptance agent and oversee the issuance of real estate transfer stamps As the local election authority in coordination with the Cook County Clerk’s Office this role is about more than just administrative responsibilities—it’s about being a bridge between local government and the community I see the Clerk’s Office as the front door to village services and I’m committed to making that door more open I understand firsthand how important language access is to making residents feel included and empowered to engage with their local government That’s why I prioritize multilingual communication and creating tools and services that reflect the diversity of our community Whether it’s streamlining services through technology or bringing the Clerk’s Office into neighborhoods through mobile events I want every resident—regardless of language approachable partner in village government The Clerk’s position is defined by state statute and it is an administrative role—not a policymaking position It is a position that should remain neutral and nonpartisan and I am committed to fulfilling that responsibility with integrity and professionalism What sets me apart from other candidates is the combination of my professional expertise and my proven commitment to public service I bring a strong background in finance and business development having served as Vice President at Diamond Bank along with deep community involvement through organizations like the Skokie Park District Board which helps me connect with and serve our diverse community more effectively I understand the importance of making government more accessible and approachable for everyone—not just in words I’ve been focused on modernizing the Clerk’s Office and making sure residents know this office is not just about records—it’s about relationships I don’t just talk about inclusion—I live it I bring both the experience and vision to make this role more proactive My campaign platform is centered around strengthening our community and improving the relationship between local government and residents These key issues are the focus of my platform in addition to my administrative and election authority responsibilities I hope to create a village government that is not only more efficient but also more responsive and engaged with the needs of the residents it serves I’ve had the privilege of holding leadership roles that have allowed me to build the skills necessary to serve as Village Clerk Some key accomplishments that demonstrate my ability to handle this job include: These experiences have given me the skills to run the Clerk’s Office with efficiency I’m ready to bring that same dedication to this position and continue improving the ways we serve the people of Skokie Voters should trust me because I have a proven track record of service I’ve built strong relationships with residents and local leaders through my work on the Skokie Park District Board My experience has taught me the importance of transparency and always putting the needs of the community first I am deeply invested in making local government more accessible I’ve shown that I can take on complex roles—whether in business development or public service—and approach them with professionalism my multilingual skills and commitment to diversity ensure that I can serve every corner of Skokie Voters can trust that I will handle the Clerk’s Office with the same passion and commitment to service that I’ve brought to all my roles in the community my term in office will be a success if I can ensure that the Clerk’s Office becomes a model of accessibility I would consider my term a success if I can: I want to ensure that when residents think of the Clerk’s Office That will be the greatest measure of success for me I understand the importance of fiscal responsibility and the need to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely While the Clerk’s Office operates within the larger framework of village government I’m committed to managing resources in the most cost-effective way possible without sacrificing the quality of service I believe in transparency when it comes to government spending and I’ll work to ensure that the operations of the Clerk’s Office are conducted in a way that is accountable to residents This means reviewing processes regularly to identify cost-saving opportunities exploring technology solutions that can streamline operations and ensuring that any spending aligns with the needs of the community I recognize that efficient and accessible government services are worth the investment increasing digital accessibility and improving outreach programs may require initial costs but they ultimately lead to a more efficient and connected village By prioritizing the responsible use of resources I will ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent in ways that benefit the entire community while upholding the highest standards of accountability While the Village Clerk’s Office does not directly address crime prevention I understand the importance of a safe and secure community for the well-being of all residents and it’s crucial that we continue to work together as a community to find effective solutions I can play a role by supporting efforts to enhance communication between residents and law enforcement One of my priorities would be to ensure that residents have access to information about safety programs and ways to report concerns to local authorities By improving transparency and making sure residents feel informed we can help foster a stronger partnership between the community and law enforcement I also believe that community engagement is a key factor in reducing crime By creating more opportunities for residents to engage with local government participate in neighborhood watch programs we can build a more resilient and proactive community and residents is essential for addressing both the root causes of crime and immediate concerns I support investments in community policing and youth development programs to prevent crime before it starts By offering opportunities for at-risk youth improving access to mental health services we can work toward reducing crime in Skokie and creating a safer While the Village Clerk is not involved in decisions around commercial or residential development I believe it’s important that Skokie’s approach reflects a thoughtful balance—supporting economic growth while preserving the character of our neighborhoods I support efforts that prioritize community input ensuring that development benefits all residents and strengthens our local economy While the Village Clerk does not have a direct hand in shaping development policy I can support the process by serving as a resource to Village services and helping residents stay informed and engaged residents are most interested in seeing continued revitalization of commercial corridors like Main Street and enhancements to public spaces that foster a sense of connection and vibrancy Making this happen will require ongoing collaboration between Village leadership and community members—along with intentional outreach to ensure all voices are heard in the process The best advice ever shared with me was to “listen more than you speak and always approach others with empathy and respect.” This advice has guided me in both my professional and personal life It reminds me that understanding different perspectives and valuing others’ experiences is key to building strong relationships It’s a lesson I carry with me as I serve others and work to make sure everyone in Skokie feels heard and respected I understand the importance of balancing family and career I am committed to serving our community with the same level of dedication I give to my family and I see it as an opportunity to focus on what truly matters: serving the residents of Skokie and ensuring that they have the resources and support they need from local government This position is not about pushing a political agenda—it’s about ensuring the efficient operation of village services and fostering an inclusive and I will work every day to make sure their voices are heard and their needs are met I believe in celebrating the vibrant spirit and endless possibilities of our village and every day brings new opportunities for connection and growth but as someone who is deeply dedicated to enhancing the warmth I am committed to serving every resident with transparency and I am honored to be a part of its future 2025 at 5:19 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Gail Schechter is running for Skokie At-Large Trustee IL — Gail Schechter is a local housing professional who is running for At-Large Trustee in Skokie Schechter has experience being a leader in housing and community development and public policy research and development for diverse and inclusive municipalities for over 40 years she has served as the Executive Director of Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.) providing a unique model of intergenerational housing advocacy and neighborhood engagement with and for low-income seniors throughout the City of Chicago She is running against Joseph Nowik, Keith A. Robinson and Khemarey "Khem" Khoeun for Skokie At-Large Trustee Learn more about Schechter and her goals for Skokie: Campaign website https://www.gailforskokie.com/ with Honors in History from Oberlin College and an M.A in Urban and Environmental Policy from Tufts University The most pressing issue facing the Skokie Village Board is its frayed relationship with its own constituents the apex was cofounding and chairing the Skokie Alliance for Electoral Reform to a resounding victory at the polls in 2022 with three referendums that have successfully thrown open the doors to an expanded residents of Skokie – in all our diversity – may run for office with the promise of contested elections breaking a lifetime of single-party rule The referendum victory reflects a desire among Skokie voters for political leaders who treat us – you and me – with respect rather than disdain; who deeply care about us regardless of how much we earn or what part of town we live in and who express an abiding vision of a mutually supportive society I aim to open up boards and commissions to usher in diverse ideas and experiences and hold forums of all sizes throughout the Village to forge a coherent vision instead of being reactive Skokie needs to get in front of and shape development for the Village My top goals as a Trustee all relate to building on Skokie’s assets as a vibrant diverse community: (1) to actively engage the public in a new Comprehensive Plan; (2) to preserve and promote mixed-income housing prioritizing at all times residents and workers who have the fewest housing options; and (3) to promote development in conformity with the Sustainability Plan sidewalks and green space over paved lots and drive-throughs along with “human impact” and “environmental impact” criteria as the basis for evaluating housing and economic development proposals I am also the only candidate with relevant experience: as executive director of mission-driven community organizations and equipped with planning experience and a master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Policy As a community organizer and instructor who created and taught a course at Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies “Citizen Participation in the Policy-Making Process,” I know how to facilitate consensus-building processes I recognize that when we bring multiple perspectives together with supporting research this can lead to the best solutions to complex issues I am a highly collaborative leader who knows how to ask the right questions I am also an established policy expert in all aspects of housing elected officials throughout the northern suburbs have sought me out as the go-to expert in effective fair and affordable housing policies and programs with the exception of the sole Independent Trustee consists of members of what had been called the Skokie Caucus Party until it changed its charter following the 2022 electoral reform referendums The SCP has ruled Skokie through virtually uncontested even as Skokie has grown demographically diverse voter engagement in municipal elections has been abysmally low the Village Board is under no pressure to listen to most residents Nothing encapsulates the disconnect between the party and the people better than the Carvana debacle three years ago when residents and environmental groups unanimously said No to a proposed glass car-vending machine in the path of migrating birds while all the Trustees from the party in power voted Yes Two challengers for At-Large Trustee in the current election are incumbents who have voted over 99 percent of the time with the Mayor I believe that the current Skokie Village Board has failed in its duty of care independent judgment and accountability to the majority of its people draw on my own public policy and administrative expertise do my homework and solicit experts in the relevant policy fields before making a decision My vision of Skokie is a village whose high quality of life is built on centering its people and its natural environment This is supported by non-negotiable values of mutual respect and inclusion I am guided by three main principles in my platform: (1) Build on Skokie's strengths attributes and assets; (2) Engage community aspirations to build a shared vision for Skokie; and (3) Prioritize people first to enhance Skokie’s quality of life for all residents In addition to improving residents’ and small businesses’ access to Skokie government and working on a new Comprehensive Plan my platform includes preserving and expanding mixed-income housing; supporting aging in the community; implementing Skokie’s environmental sustainability plan; facilitating multiple modes of safe and accessible transit; making our blocks safer with community-building initiatives; adopting an equitable Village budget; and ensuring that integrity and ethics pervade all aspects of Village government and operations My entire professional and avocational life has been devoted to civic leadership advocate and subject-matter expert in equitable community development and open housing in Skokie for over 30 years I helped to ensure that the Village upheld the fair housing rights of resident taxicab drivers in 2007 most of whom were Muslims and foreign-born; people with disabilities when the Village tried to institute a moratorium on congregate living homes; and renters of all protected classes when the Village instituted a “crime-free” ordinance that would have especially impacted victims of domestic violence I am proud to have co-authored a guidebook for mixed-use, mixed-income and environmentally sound north suburban development, together with the Center for Neighborhood Technology, called Quality of Life, (e)Quality of Place (2014) I am eager to help implement these best practices in Skokie I have also shared resources and educated the community about the elements of an effective I helped to develop a curriculum for Open Communities called ILEAD “Immigrant Leadership School,” together with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and the UIC Voorhees Center to encourage immigrants to join local commissions or run for office I taught graduate courses in public policy and civic engagement at Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies in their Master’s in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) programs for seven years measurable action steps for all municipalities to become more inclusive At Open Communities I led anti-discrimination enforcement actions and at the height of the mortgage meltdown in 2008 helped save the housing of hundreds of homeowners I would bring to bear my current experience in running a highly effective Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.) in Chicago to create and sustain intergenerational housing and provide small interior home repairs for very low-income older people to age safely and comfortably in their own homes I am consistent in my values and have not wavered from my steadfast belief our primary responsibility individually and collectively is to one another and to the environment This derives from my upbringing as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and personal experience of prejudice I am a firm believer that we have a moral obligation to care for and protect one another Skokie voters can trust me based on my track record of championing all residents across race I also believe that process – how we act – is as critical as what we do When people know and feel they are part of formulating a plan of any kind has led to my being a successful executive director and community organizer I would consider my term in office a success if the Village government establishes that success means that all policies projects and processes must be guided by values of mutual respect dignity and a high quality of life for all I would work to gain the support of the Village Board and Village staff in forging new systems of communication at every level in the Village between residents and Village Hall will have a direct pipeline to the appropriate department to get everything from the stop sign to the residential permit addressed expeditiously This also means that Skokie will make it easier for its diverse residents to join boards and commissions we can co-create a new Comprehensive Plan as a framework for Village action They speak volumes about a government’s or agency’s priorities I present my board of directors with an annual budget that's balanced mathematically which is especially important for mission-driven organizations I would take a fresh look at the Village budget and the extent to which spending is constrained by tax levies on every Skokie property owner’s bill from other taxing bodies which narrows Skokie’s options for planning and financing Despite the Village of Skokie’s use of the word “diversify” in describing its revenue sources I am concerned that 70 percent of Skokie’s revenues derive from sales taxes and hotel fees This makes Skokie particularly overly dependent on the Village’s largest source of sales taxes My plan is to take a hard look first at Skokie’s expenses to make sure they are right-sized for the Village’s priorities are the revenue sources fair to those with the fewest resources Should we be negotiating more firmly with developers and investors who want waivers and tax breaks so that they also include some community-wide benefits in their plans Who is carrying the burden when the Village decides to subsidize Old Orchard’s renovation with an additional 1 percent sales tax Fees and flat sales taxes are the most regressive small businesses and “mom-and-pop” landlords the hardest neighborhoods and economic stability by investing back into the community first This means reducing our reliance on outside revenue sources that we cannot control and investing in healthy returns from our own locally owned and operated businesses the crime rate in Skokie is relatively low no Skokie resident or business should experience crime or live in fear I know from first-hand experience as a community organizer and block captain in city and suburban areas that the best way to prevent and address crime is by forging a local culture and practice where people watch out for one another this includes elected officials acting as “beat cops” and presenting themselves to their own constituents It is essential for Skokie to address fear of the “Other” – often manifested as prejudice against people of color people with disabilities and renters – so that we can establish ties of trust and respect Back when I was an organizer in Williamsburg I pulled together an effective neighborhood “Crime watch” nightly patrol of resident multi-ethnic volunteers in cooperation with the local police precinct populated mostly by multicultural renters in four flats I have held block parties and served as the block captain including one of a teen who had to be hospitalized I spoke with Skokie’s Neighborhood Integrity Officer as well as the officer who is the liaison to my block and learned that both the victim and the perpetrator have been involved in gang activity Gang prevention is a complex issue that cuts across renters and homeowners and must involve a cross-sector collaborative approach that incorporates schools I will encourage and enhance community outreach and communication between police residents and businesses to creatively address security concerns and weave a fabric of mutual reinforcement I will seek to add mental-health professionals and domestic violence social workers to the Village staff given that these are the main drivers of police calls I will expand a youth outreach infrastructure and support and advocate for community policing practices to build trusting relationships between residents I will also work with storefront businesses to make sure the Village is appropriately protecting them too Effective public policies are those that emanate from an overall mission Anything else is a hodgepodge of reactivity or catering to special interests which is evident in Skokie today: commercial strips of ugly and unsafe drive-throughs and new housing developments marketed by developers to wealthier people who prioritize Skokie’s regional location and not Skokie itself Instead, we need to prioritize People First to enhance Skokie’s quality of life. The Meetup on Maininitiative is one such example It was led by Main Street residents who took the initiative to partner with the Village and Main Street businesses to come up with ways to bring “energy and community back into the blighted stretches of empty storefronts.” Meetup on Main works because it improves an underperforming commercial strip by creating a place where shopping becomes a social outing too I will ensure that Skokie creates and implements housing policies centered on the people who live We have a duty to help alleviate the Village's serious shortage of housing for those with the fewest options and to ensure that fair housing laws are enforced so everyone has an equal chance to access the housing of their choice Right now, over a third of our households – 8,000 – are paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing, which means they are living in crisis. Within this group, more than half of Skokie renters are paying more than they can afford in rent, according to the Village of Skokie's own 2023 Skokie Community Health Assessment. The Village needs more than the lip service it has devoted to date to sustain mixed-income housing The Village should be providing incentives and subsidies not for luxury development where it is least needed but to accommodate the lower- and modest-income people whom the private market is leaving behind I helped to organize the grassroots campaign Skokie Neighbors for Housing Justice in 2022 to push the Village in this direction. The centerpiece of our platform is our Skokie Housing Needs and Recommended Solutions Whether we are talking about relationships between constituents and government or in marketing a municipality such as Skokie to the outside world This means we need to pay attention to local culture as much as to checklists of policies We have opened the door to democracy in Skokie thanks to the success of the grassroots ballot initiatives of the Skokie Alliance for Electoral Reform with a choice on our upcoming ballots for the first time in decades and with the opportunity to have an equal chance to compete for office I believe I would be good for Skokie as your elected Trustee because I have a lifetime of unwavering commitment to people who struggle to meet their basic needs or to have their rights respected – to have a seat at what should be a communal table I am successful as a consensus builder because I know that at the bottom we all desire to live in a place where we can build a safe and convivial community This comes from a deep place for me based on my upbringing and family experience of survival against a backdrop of antisemitism and prejudice against working-class people I direct an organization that literally sets communal tables every day means that human beings need more than food We need to be seen and heard and respected We need to matter and to know and feel that we matter to others – that we see ourselves woven into the vision of the community in which we live 2025 at 1:06 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The complaint included 10 accusations of misconduct against the candidate All but one of the allegations were dismissed by the commission and a final hearing was scheduled for March 19 to determine the outcome of the case IL — The Skokie Ethics Commission is investigating a complaint lodged against Village Clerk candidate James Johnson which alleges Johnson used their position on the Village Board to promote their campaign who has brought complaints before the Ethics Commission in the past is accused of violating the Village Code ordinance that states public office should not be used for personal gain which was initially filed at the end of February stems from times Johnson gave public comments during board meetings while they served as Trustee "Trustee Johnson has consistently and repeatedly used their position on the Village Board to attack and disrespect their real or imagined political opponents and anyone they deem insufficiently in alliance with their ideas including but not limited to elected officials they didn't mention their campaign for Village Clerk in any of the instances where they took the stand during public comment Johnson said each time they took the stand they urged the Board to acknowledge and rectify perceived corruption in Skokie's legal department The complaint included 10 accusations of misconduct against Johnson All but one of the allegations were dismissed by the commission due to some items being out of the statute of limitations A final hearing was scheduled for March 19 to determine the outcome of the case against Johnson Eliasoff amended the complaint to add more examples of Johnson giving public comments during Board meetings The amendment pushed the final hearing to April 2 Johnson said they believe the complaint is politically motivated by people who have a history of misinformative campaigning against them Eliasoff serves as campaign manager for Trustee Alison Pure Slovin who is a colleague of Johnson's on the current Skokie Board of Trustees and is running for District 2 Trustee in the April 1 election "This situation represents a major violation of the IL Code of Fair Campaign Practices but also a major breakdown in our municipal ethics procedures If you care about the integrity of our local electoral culture you should care about this situation," Johnson said in a statement Eliasoff told Patch the amendment was necessary to add more examples of Johnson allegedly violating the Village Code and to build a stronger case Eliasoff said the postponement of the meeting was disappointing as she preferred for the situation to be resolved before the election "Integrity and accountability are fundamental to public service James does not uphold these values," Eliasoff said 2025 at 2:01 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Alison Pure-Slovin is running for Skokie Trustee in District 2 IL — Current Skokie Trustee Alison Pure-Slovin is running to represent District 2 in the April 1 election Pure-Slovin has served 12 years as Midwest Director at the Simon Wiesenthal Center. She is running for District 2 Trustee against Nathan Norman Learn more about Pure-Slovin and her goals for Skokie: slovinforskokie.com One of the most pressing issues facing our board is rat abatement Rat abatement is an important responsibility as it directly impacts public health and sanitation I propose we educate the residents about proper waste disposal and other practices that help prevent rat infestations We also need to review our infrastructure maintenance such as sewers and waste management systems to prevent rats from finding entry points and nesting areas We should strengthen our systems to monitor rat activity and encourage residents to report sightings in public areas so that the village rat abatement team can respond quickly to infestations I have respect for my opponent and for all those who run for local elected office I am running a positive campaign based on my record as Trustee focusing on environmental issues (we need to consider banning plastic bags and Styrofoam) stronger education about the pressing need to recycle and compost building bridges between our diverse population and additional bicycle lanes throughout the village I serve on the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and the Public Safety Commission I asked to serve on the EDC because I believe it plays a crucial role in the village's growth and prosperity The EDC works to attract new businesses and supports existing one leading to job opportunities for residents which provides an increase in funds for public services and infrastructure I also requested to serve on the Public Safety Commission as it is vital to the village as it ensures the safety and security of residents by overseeing supporting and improving our first responders departments This commission is vital in building trust in the community by fostering transparency and community between public safety departments and residents to successfully collaborate within the community 2024 General Elections to impose term limits for Skokie elected officials that was approved by voters I continue to advocate for economic development and work to build bridges between diverse communities listen to their concerns and work toward a solution Voters should trust me as their representative as I have proven myself as an ethical and honest leader in my role as trustee I am a human rights activist with a proven record of championing for all people whether on the local level or in Springfield working with our State elected officials/legislators A successful trustee is one who leaves a positive and lasting impact on the village improving the community's overall well-being and setting the stage for continued growth Fiscal responsibility: successfully managing the village's budget and maintaining or improving the village's financial health Infrastructure improvements: we need to review our current structure as evidenced by the recent water main break 3 Community engagement: elected officials need to build strong relationships with residents encouraging public participation and fostering a sense of community 4 Transparency and accountability: ensuring open communication with residents The village board/elected officials have significant responsibilities when it comes to fiscal policy and the handling of taxpayers dollars We must monitor government spending and revenue collection It is imperative that we review the village's budget and ensure that taxpayers dollars are allocated efficiently to meet the community's needs We should also develop and implement policies that influence economic conditions to foster a stable and prosperous community As Skokie is known to have one of the most respected law enforcement departments I am confident that our local police are maintaining law and order preventing crime and ensuring the safety of residents Their presence in the community helps deter criminal activity Supporting our police also involves advocating for accountability and constructive support leads to promoting a safer and cohesive community As a member of the Economic Development Commission I am confident in the village's approach to commercial and residential development The village staff is doing an excellent job in revitalizing commercial areas like downtown Skokie and the Main St We are also working to enhance our residential development like the new townhouses that will be built on Main street Many residents are concerned about affordable housing which is why I support "fee in lieu" for future developments Fee in lieu is an excellent financial mechanism to manage the impact of new developments The fees collected can be used to enhance older housing stock and/or fund other community projects that benefit residents The best advice anyone ever shared with me was to remember that we live in a diverse village which is still somewhat segregated and it is my job as trustee to work toward bringing communities together and to remember that as a trustee I represent ALL people I take my responsibility seriously and listen to the many opinions of the residents I must carefully weigh out the opinions of the voters with the recommendations of the village staff to help create policy that strengthens the Village of Skokie 2025 at 10:44 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}James Johnson is running for Skokie Village Clerk IL — James Johnson is currently a Village Trustee and a high school teacher at Regina Dominican High School and is running for Village Clerk in Skokie Johnson has lived in Skokie for nearly 10 years and has served as Village Trustee since 2021 Johnson has worked to be the lead advocate for electoral reform affordable housing and government transparency They are running against Naema Abraham and Minal Desai for Skokie Village Clerk Learn more about Johnson and their goals for Skokie: https://jamesforskokie.com/ in Theological Studies with a Minor in Education from Loyola University Chicago In terms of Clerk responsibilities (as opposed to Mayor and Trustee responsibilities) I think the most pressing issues facing our Village government concern transparency and accessibility the Village has been investigated 5 times by the IL Attorney General’s Office for Open Meetings Act (OMA) violations yet I have been the only member of the Village Board to advocate for reform I will oversee a comprehensive review of the Village’s compliance with OMA and ensure that public policymaking is always conducted publicly the Village can do far more to encourage public participation in local policymaking I will improve meeting minutes and recordkeeping and create a “legislation tracker” to keep residents up-to-date on important Village initiatives My support for electoral reform sets me apart from the other candidates for this position I co-founded the Skokie Alliance for Electoral Reform and launched the 3 voter-initiated referendums – for nonpartisan elections and hybrid representation – that updated Skokie’s electoral system in 2022 I led the largest petition campaign in Skokie history and despite immense opposition from Mayor Van Dusen I helped transform one of the worst local electoral systems in Illinois into one of the best I believe this qualifies me to serve as Skokie’s next election official in the Clerk’s Office elected Village Clerks have been representatives of the Skokie Caucus Party and often been tied to our Niles Township Democratic Party As the first Independent ever elected to Village office in Skokie I will continue to serve as an intentionally nonpartisan representative always prioritizing the needs of residents over the wishes of political parties Our current Clerk is a recent appointee by Mayor Van Dusen picked to finish the 4-year term of retired Clerk Shah and it would be very unfair to say she has “failed the community,” though there is certainly room for improvement in the Clerk’s Office I was shocked that our former Clerk labelled electoral reform advocates as “extremists” for supporting the 2022 referendums that updated our Village elections and I am disappointed that our current Clerk opposes the RCV referendum on Skokie’s April ballot since I believe local election officials should be at the forefront of electoral reform I greatly appreciate that our current Clerk seems to be more supportive of Board compliance with OMA since our former Clerk was complicit in numerous OMA violations involving meeting minutes and records I find our current Clerk to be an incredibly kind and compassionate public servant There’s a lot that I’d like to accomplish in the Clerk’s Office I’d like to expand voter registration efforts host nonpartisan candidate training sessions to boost local candidate participation digitize the Village Board’s archives going back to the 1880s participate in local celebrations and educational events highlighting Skokie history and culture integrate a “land acknowledgement” into Village Board meetings collaborate with incredible community partners like the Skokie Public Library my goal is to transform the Clerk’s Office into a dynamic nonpartisan center for civic education in Skokie I am the only Clerk candidate who has been elected to Village office before I have been the Village Board’s lead policymaker and legislator for sustainability I have witnessed the ins-and-outs of our Village government for a full term and have a great sense of how the Clerk’s Office can be reformed to ensure our Village government is more welcoming Voters can trust me because I have a proven track record of following through on my campaign promises During my term as an elected Village Trustee I did exactly what I said I would do: I supported electoral reform and helped overhaul the Village’s electoral system I supported climate action and championed Skokie’s new Sustainability Plan and the hire of a Sustainability Coordinator to oversee progress I voted against all-luxury residential developments and got the Board to adopt an inclusionary zoning policy to support affordable housing I am the only member of the Village Board who has never accepted campaign donations from political parties and local businesses and developers; I actively avoid conflicts of interest Whereas my Trustee colleagues from the Skokie Caucus Party have voted as a block in almost 99% of their votes this term I have tried to model the value of an Independent representative inside Village Hall I was the only member of the Board to oppose the Carvana “car vending machine” near Harms Woods the additional sales tax at “blighted” Old Orchard Mall the failing Hilton Hotel construction in downtown Skokie the attempt to block voter initiatives from the ballot in 2022 and the ongoing political hiring in Skokie’s Legal Department among other poor decisions made by the Board in the past term So many of my goals can be accomplished within a single term I’m going to improve meeting minutes and recordkeeping create a “legislation tracker” for the Village website fully digitize the Village Board’s archives fully implement the new Village seal across all departments complete a comprehensive review of the Village’s compliance with OMA collaborate with County and State officials to fully implement the RCV referendum that will (hopefully) be adopted by residents in April overhaul the Election Division of the Clerk’s Office to boost voter registration the upcoming term will feature a special opportunity for community engagement: the 50th anniversary of the Skokie Affair of 1977 I hope to collaborate with community partners like the IL Holocaust Museum and Skokie Historical Society to ensure the Clerk’s Office is an active participant in local events that recognize this integral part of Skokie history The 50th anniversary of the Skokie Affair provides an incredible opportunity for community education about the dangers of antisemitism and xenophobia and the importance of freedom of speech and assembly I greatly appreciate the Village’s long history of fiscal responsibility and I will ensure that the Clerk’s Office budget stays flat I was the only Trustee to vote against a raise in the Clerk’s salary for the coming term I will return those funds to the taxpayers since the Clerk is meant to be an elected public servant The Clerk is already the Village’s highest-paid elected official so I will never accept additional compensation at public expense Skokie has an exceptional Police Department and the local crime rate has stayed relatively flat for over a decade I will no longer have a role in public safety policymaking but I am proud of what the Village Board has accomplished this term the Board has unanimously supported the creation of a Co-Responder Program to pair Village social workers with Police Officers for mental/behavioral health crisis calls the full implementation of body-worn cameras in the Police Department and the borrowing of $160 million in pension obligation bonds to better fund public safety pensions Public safety should always remain a policy priority for the Village Board I hear time and time again that Skokie residents want the Village Board to prioritize the needs of small and independent businesses While the Village has prioritized the needs of Old Orchard Shopping Center on the north side of Skokie and Village Crossing Shopping Center on the south side of Skokie the commercial corridors in between have been underserved I hear time and time again that Skokie residents want the Village Board to prioritize new housing that actually accommodates the diverse housing needs of current residents which include low/moderate-income households and families with children and work without a vision is pure drudgery.” I feel a profound sense of gratitude for this incredible I have been deeply honored to serve as the Village’s first Independent representative and I am so proud of my accomplishments in the past term Now that residents have a brand-new electoral system and more meaningful choices on the ballot than ever before I encourage voters to rally behind the phenomenal progressives running for Village office in 2025 but also ensure our Village government is more responsive and forward-thinking Let’s unite behind a holistic vision for a welcoming community in Skokie 2025 at 12:58 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}David "Azi" Lifsics is running for Skokie Mayor (Courtesy of David "Azi" Lifsics)SKOKIE IL — David "Azi" Lifsics is running for Mayor of Skokie in the April 1 election Lifsics has worked as an attorney with the Law Office of Paul Chatzky and subsequently with Mauer & Madoff Lifsics has also served as President of the Jewish Neighborhood Development Council He is running for Mayor against Ann Tennes and Charles Isho Learn more about Lifsics and his goals for Skokie: www.aziforskokie.com The recent water main break tested Skokie’s emergency response system and while our crews worked tirelessly in challenging conditions this incident revealed two key areas for improvement: (1) a need for a thorough forensic review of our infrastructure and (2) an increase in resident participation in the Smart911 system Infrastructure Forensic Investigation – We need a detailed assessment of Skokie’s water infrastructure using imaging technology to inspect underground pipes without the need for extensive excavation This will allow us to identify weak points before another catastrophic failure occurs Enhanced Emergency Communication – To ensure residents receive critical updates I propose a system similar to the State’s motor-voter initiative where every resident renewing a village sticker or paying a quarterly water bill is prompted to sign up or update their emergency contact information we can both prevent future crises and improve response times when emergencies do arise and mediation expertise that allows me to approach challenges with both analytical precision and practical solutions As a mediation-trained attorney with deep experience in government affairs and public policy I am ready to be an effective advocate from day one My strong relationships with elected officials at the federal and local levels mean I not only know who to call when something is needed—I know my calls will be answered My experience attending Village Board meetings regularly has given me firsthand insight into Skokie’s operations making me well-prepared to lead effectively No Property Tax Levy Increase - Skokie has successfully avoided raising the property tax levy for over 35 years and I will work to continue that policy for the next four Expanding Economic Development - To attract new businesses I propose creating a network of Skokie Ambassadors - residents who will share key data with successful businesses outside the village This will make it easier for businesses to open in Skokie My professional background has equipped me with the skills necessary to serve effectively in this role: I have already shared my personal cell phone number with residents and have had meaningful one-on-one conversations with Skokie residents from all over the village they don’t have to go through layers of bureaucracy—they can reach out to me directly Bringing more small businesses to all commercial corridors ensuring economic growth benefits every corner of Skokie diverse local economy strengthens our community and enhances our quality of life there is no greater responsibility than safeguarding taxpayers’ hard-earned money Every policy decision involving public funds must have clear metrics for success and a full assessment of secondary impacts and every expenditure should be made with long-term sustainability in mind Reinvigorate the Neighborhood Watch Program – Neighbors are the first line of defense in public safety Strengthening these programs helps residents look out for one another and fosters stronger community ties Support Our Police Department – Skokie has a top-tier police department and equipment necessary to do their jobs effectively Recruitment & Retention – Competitive pay and community engagement initiatives will help Skokie attract and retain the best law enforcement officers Skokie has done an admirable job balancing growth with maintaining the character of our community and serves the long-term interests of residents and businesses alike Commercial Development: Skokie has successfully attracted major retailers and commercial investments but we must ensure that future development fosters economic diversity and walkability and entertainment options creates a dynamic environment that benefits both businesses and residents We should also focus on filling commercial gaps—identifying what businesses residents leave Skokie to visit and working to bring those services and businesses here the Village should streamline business licensing and permitting processes offering incentives or resources to help small businesses and startups thrive Residential Development:As housing needs evolve we must ensure that our residential development keeps pace and our housing options should reflect that diversity by providing opportunities for young professionals A priority is expanding senior-friendly housing Many longtime residents wish to stay in Skokie but struggle to find suitable downsizing options we must also preserve the character of Skokie’s neighborhoods maintaining the balance between development and green space to enhance quality of life Commercial Development Skokie has done well attracting businesses but we need a greater variety of establishments operating at different times of day to encourage walkability and community engagement Conducting a detailed survey of where residents shop outside Skokie will help us strategically attract businesses that fill local gaps Residential Development Senior Housing – Many seniors in Skokie want to downsize but lack viable housing options Increasing senior-friendly housing near public transit and pharmacies would allow them to remain in our community while freeing up larger homes for younger families and I am committed to hearing directly from Skokie residents I hear a common theme—residents love this community and want to see it thrive for future generations My goal is to preserve what makes Skokie special while ensuring it remains strong and making thoughtful decisions that benefit the entire village 2025 at 1:15 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}This year's egg hunts in Skokie will include more than just the hunt and this year the Skokie community can celebrate with community egg hunts on April 19 and 20 The Skokie Park District is hosting a free outdoor egg hunt at Oakton Park for kids of all ages The hunt will be divided into three sections based on age Peter's United Church of Christ is also hosting a free egg hunt in its gym for kids up to 5th grade kids will have the opportunity collect goodies and hunt for thousands of eggs families are welcome to join the church for Easter Brunch For more information, visit the St. Peter's United Church of Christ website. Federal prosecutors say this image depicts the assault by Shane Woods on a U.S SPRINGFIELD — Shane Jason Woods may be on trial for murder over the 2022 death of a Skokie woman but jurors who will consider his fate learned early on Monday that he’d also once been accused convicted and pardoned for his role in the Jan Woods’ attorneys told potential members of the panel what happened in Washington, D.C., including that Woods assaulted a law enforcement officer — a crime Woods admitted to two months before the death of 35-year-old Lauren Wegner “You will hear about that in the trial,” defense attorney Daniel Fultz told potential jurors in Springfield Fultz shared those details as Woods sat nearby in the custody of Sangamon County officials but dressed in a white dress shirt Fultz argued in a motion that any reference to the Capitol riot should be barred from Woods’ murder trial He wrote that references to it could “serve to inflame the jury’s emotions and distract them from a fair assessment of the facts in this case.” “The widespread media coverage and societal reactions to those events have created strong emotional and political associations which could improperly influence the jury’s impartiality,” Fultz wrote in January But Fultz and co-counsel Mark Wykoff have clearly changed course placing the issue squarely in front of the jury on the first day of Woods’ trial over Wegner’s death of Taylorville is charged with first-degree murder aggravated driving under the influence involving death and aggravated fleeing and eluding a peace officer He’s accused of driving north into the southbound lanes of Interstate 55 on Nov causing a crash that killed Wegner and injured a couple from Granite City Before allegedly turning his truck onto the highway near Springfield’s southern border police say Woods made comments to a Divernon officer who’d pulled him over suggesting Woods was suicidal Woods made a remark about going to prison for 10 years and told the officer he was “worth more dead than alive,” according to police reports authorities say Woods’ blood-alcohol content measured 0.177% — more than twice the legal limit Woods pleaded guilty to his role in the Capitol riot he faced a maximum of nine years behind bars Woods admitted assaulting two people during the riot — a law enforcement officer and a cameraman Woods’ attorneys in Springfield did not seem to significantly disrupt jury selection Monday when they raised the topic of the Capitol riot with potential jurors A handful of people raised their hands when asked if Woods’ role in the riot would affect their decision-making But Sangamon County Judge Ryan Cadagin still managed to announce the final members of the panel a little after lunchtime Prosecutors are expected to deliver opening statements Tuesday morning Fultz also signaled during jury selection that alcohol and suicide will be crucial themes as the case moves forward The first-degree murder charge handed up against Woods alleges he drove a 2018 GMC Sierra northbound against oncoming traffic “knowing said acts created a strong probability of death or great bodily harm to another person,” resulting in the crash that killed Wegner 2025 at 1:41 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Skokie voters will decide in April whether to adopt ranked choice voting a system praised for fairness but facing legal challenges in Illinois including a November 2024 court ruling blocking its implementation in Evanston IL — Voters in the village will have the chance to decide in April's local elections whether to support the adoption of ranked choice voting — a system whose supporters say empowers voters and increases election fairness but that has so far faced significant legal and logistical hurdles elsewhere in Illinois The upcoming referendum comes after volunteers gathered over 2,400 signatures to place the measure on the ballot in Skokie, following similar efforts in Evanston and Oak Park allows voters to rank candidates by preference rather than selecting a single candidate If no candidate wins a majority of first-choice votes the lowest-performing candidate is eliminated and votes for that candidate are redistributed to voters' second choices This process repeats until one candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote Proponents, like advocacy groups like FairVote Illinois and Reform for Illinois argue the system promotes coalition-building reduces negative campaigning and eliminates the need for costly runoffs where it has the potential to threaten the powerful slating power of the Democratic Party establishment its implementation has so far been stymied in court Last November, a Cook County judge struck down Evanston’s ranked choice voting referendum, finding it "vague, ambiguous, and not self-executing" under Illinois election law The ruling blocked the system’s use in Evanston’s upcoming April elections which casts significant doubt on how Skokie’s referendum will proceed if it passes Skokie’s initiative comes as part of a broader push to bring ranked choice voting to Illinois but critics and judges alike have questioned its compatibility with the Illinois Election Code the Cook County Clerk's office argued that implementing ranked choice voting required state-level authorization changes to election equipment and compliance with legal standards that were not outlined in the referendum Cook County Circuit Judge Maureen Ward Kirby sided with the county clerk ruling that Evanston’s plan lacked clear execution details including provisions for tie votes and voting systems Oak Park's ranked choice voting system is scheduled to begin in April 2027 if county officials allow it to take effect 2025 at 9:44 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}This was the first election in Skokie that the new hybrid electoral system which combined at-large and district-based Trustee positions IL — Election Day has come and gone in Skokie and unofficial results from the Cook County Clerk's Office show Keith Robinson and Gail Schechter as the projected winners of the at-large trustee race Two seats were open with four candidates running for at-large trustee: Keith A This was the first election in Skokie that the new hybrid electoral system Robinson: "Supports maintaining Skokie’s 35-year property tax freeze while investing responsibly in infrastructure seek broader ways of transparency with the budget planning process." Khoeun: "Government spending should be directed toward projects that enhance our infrastructure I believe in accountability—ensuring that every dollar is spent with clear goals in mind and that residents see a direct benefit from the investments we make." Schechter: "I would take a fresh look at the Village budget and the extent to which spending is constrained by tax levies on every Skokie property owner’s bill from other taxing bodies which narrows Skokie’s options for planning and financing." Nowik: "I will ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and transparently to benefit residents Robinson: "Public safety is a top priority Khoeun: "Skokie continues to be a safe and welcoming community I know from first-hand experience as a community organizer and block captain in city and suburban areas that the best way to prevent and address crime is by forging a local culture and practice where people watch out for one another." Robinson: "I am proud of Skokie’s economic growth and transportation while boosting the local economy." Khoeun: "My approach to development would focus on ensuring that growth is sustainable we can build a Skokie that grows thoughtfully while preserving the qualities that make it such a great place to live." We have a duty to help alleviate the Village's serious shortage of housing for those with the fewest options and to ensure that fair housing laws are enforced so everyone has an equal chance to access the housing of their choice." Nowik: "Skokie has great potential for smart forward-thinking development that strengthens our community." 2025 at 1:06 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A Skokie Mayoral candidate was accused of pushing a woman outside the Village Hall in 2023 IL — Skokie Mayoral Candidate David "Azi" Lifsics was accused of pushing a woman and yelling at her outside Village Hall in 2023 during a Village Board meeting according to a video published by the woman According to Skokie resident Kimberly Polka 2023 just outside Village Hall as she was on her way inside the building Polka said she intended to return to the building after giving a public comment and stepping out who accused her of hitting him with the door Polka said Lifsics kept yelling and insisting she apologize "There was no reason for me to think there was another person on the other side of the door," Polka told Patch I would never hit someone with a door on purpose." Things escalated when Polka says Lifsics put both of his hands on her shoulders to prevent her from going down the stairs outside the door and pushed her back up the stairs the incident caught the attention of police officers nearby in order to get to another person that was down the stairs Lifsics said it seemed like she was attempting to go through him and then there was a little bit of a tussle," Lifsics told Patch Both parties confirmed to Patch that no police report was filed about the incident, but a video recorded by a witness at Village Hall includes clips of both Lifsics and Polka speaking to police about the situation Lifsics is seen pointing at Polka and witnesses as well as arguing with someone off-screen he said he doesn't believe the incident should be considered an assault But to take the ability of somebody to defend themselves out of the context of what had happened I don't think that's good on a legal level I don't think that's good on a human level," Lifsics said both Polka and Lifsics have spoken over the phone and have met in person to discuss the incident Polka said she was hesitant to share the story because she wasn't interested in tearing Lifsics down but she felt it was necessary when he announced his intent to run for mayor of Skokie but it doesn't make you fit to be Mayor," Polka said 2025 at 8:18 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}This is the first election in Skokie that the new hybrid electoral system which combines at-large and district-based Trustee positions IL — Election Day is finally here and voters in Skokie will decide on who will represent the Village as at-large trustees Two seats are open with four candidates running for at-large trustee: Keith A This is the first election in Skokie that the new hybrid electoral system After voters approved a referendum in December 2023 the Village was divided into four geographic election districts residents will also vote for trustees to represent their specific district in Skokie All four at-large trustee candidates spoke with Patch about key issues in Skokie Ill.) – Even more Amazon drivers at the company’s DIL7 delivery station in Skokie are demanding that Amazon recognize the Teamsters Union and deliver a labor contract The movement to organize in Skokie became public in June when 100 Amazon drivers went on strike over Amazon’s unfair labor practices Those workers organized their union at one of Amazon’s Delivery Service Partners (DSPs) located at the station The new organizing push has now spread to all four Amazon DSPs in Skokie — with a majority of drivers having signed authorization cards with Teamsters Local 705 The workers are demanding Amazon recognize them as one union of Amazon drivers and bargain a Teamsters contract with fair wages “Amazon has taken its workers for granted for too long We’ve had enough,” said Riley Holzworth an Amazon Driver at DIL7.”We demand a Teamsters contract and that Amazon begin treating us with the respect we deserve Amazon workers in Skokie are united and ready to fight for change at Amazon.” Today’s announcement comes after Amazon delivery drivers represented by Teamsters Local 396 in Palmdale, Calif., won a groundbreaking decision that sets the stage for Amazon delivery drivers across the country to organize with the Teamsters National Labor Relations Board Region 31 (NLRB) found that Amazon is a joint employer of its DSP drivers and therefore has a legal duty to recognize and bargain with the Teamsters Union Amazon drivers emphasized how last week’s victory at the NLRB and the actions of other Amazon workers inspired them to take action and fight for change at Amazon “Our brothers and sisters have been taking the fight to Amazon every day Now it is our turn to join the fight as Teamsters,” said Dmytro Kovalenko “We are responsible for Amazon’s huge profits and we will not rest until we get what we deserve.” Amazon avoids responsibility for its drivers through its DSP subcontractor business model and safety standards of the drivers.  “The NLRB confirmed what every Amazon driver already knew: the DSP system is a sham It is time for Amazon to take responsibility for the low pay and unsafe working conditions drivers face Amazon workers are uniting with the Teamsters all across the country and this movement will deliver real change at Amazon,” said Deibi Reyes Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.  A boil order for Skokie was lifted Sunday night after residents were stuck boiling water or using bottles for two days — following a water main break that flooded several blocks Businesses and residents were elated that they could finally drink and use their water safely I got the call first before I saw the email and I just shouted 'Woo hoo!'" said Erica Mbangamoh and we were just ready for it to be over." Click here for the full story via CBS Chicago