Latest news with #AnnTennes
Chicago Tribune
15-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Skokie Village Board blocks Buddhist center near downtown after neighbors object
The Skokie Village Board approved one piece of a proposal to develop a Buddhist center just south of downtown Skokie, but rejected two others, leaving the religious group with uncertainty. One village trustee also expressed unease after a resident referred to the Buddhist group as 'these people.' The Board, at its July 7 meeting, was considering a developer's plans that called for a three-story community center with 17 dormitories to be located at 7852 Lincoln Avenue, near Babb and Lincoln Avenues. It remains unclear whether they could modify their plans and get a green light from the village. Mayor Ann Tennes cast the tie-breaking vote to reject Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association's site plans to build the community center and also reject their proposal to include dormitories. Tennes did not vote on the proposal's religious use of the property, which passed on a 4-2 vote. 'The (Buddhist) group is now re-evaluating its plans. Since their original proposal included a dormitory and that part was not approved, they will need to decide how to move forward with a revised building plan for religious use,' said Meredith Gioia, communications manager for the village of Skokie, in an email. She said the group could potentially revise their plan prior to the Board's second reading, which would give the Board a chance to consider it at a future regularly-scheduled meeting. The Skokie Plan Commission had previously approved all three parts of the group's proposal before sending it to the entire Village Board for consideration. Before the vote at the July 7 meeting, neighbors living closest to the proposed site stated their objections to the proposal, including traffic and parking concerns. Nadiia Vasilj, who lives within a half mile of the proposed site, said she didn't oppose the project because it was a Buddhist proposal. 'Every single window of my house faces some kind of church,' she said. 'Lincoln and Babb are super busy. We also have a junior high at that intersection,' she said, referring to Lincoln Junior High. 'The structure itself does not represent Skokie. We really like the bank, which has Skokie representation, it has a beautiful building and a lot of parking lot [sic].' When asked why the developer set its sights on 7852 Lincoln Ave., Dharma Drum Mountain's President Alan Myers said he was aware that a former Zen center operated at that location at one point, and was hopeful that the neighborhood would be receptive to another Zen space. Some trustees on the Village Board expressed concern, however, that parking or traffic on Lincoln Avenue were not the real issue discussed by some of the commenters. 'One of the speakers referred to the residents, or the folks who want to come, as 'these people.' It just kind of struck a chord with me,' Trustee Keith Robinson said. 'People deserve to do what they want to do, practice whatever they want to.' 'We have to be more inclusive and not to 'other.' To me it was an 'othered' statement,' he said. A major sticking point that concerned some residents was the possibility of Dharma Drum Mountain hosting an abbot visit, which could bring in 200 guests to the community center. Myers said if the group decided to invite an abbot, it would be infrequent, and no more than once every two years. It also wouldn't be guaranteed, as the abbot would have to accept the invitation, he said. Provisions in the group's application also require Dharma Drum Mountain to give the village a 90-day notice for major events, and to provide guests with off-street parking within a half mile of its proposed location. Employees of the center are required to park onsite, according to the developer's application. The group's regular 20 to 25 daily visitors to the center are also able to park onsite and at nearby businesses' parking lots when not in use by those businesses, Myers said. The dormitory access would also be limited to six weekends a year, Myers said, and would be used for religious retreats. Each dormitory would have a limit of two guests. Trustee Gail Schechter asked whether the village should consider a parking permit for Babb Avenue residents to park their vehicles, which Mayor Ann Tennes shot down after immediate groans from the audience at the meeting. 'I had actually spoken to a couple of individuals on the block, and what I was told was that they do not want that because it's an inconvenience to them to get the stickers and more importantly to get the stickers for their guests as is required in permit parking areas,' Tennes said. While the Village Board rejected the site plans, it remains unclear whether Dharma Drum Mountain can make adjustments to the site plans to get a second vote from the Village Board and possibly receive approval for their project, commented Patrick Deignan, communications and community engagement director for the village. In early 2024, a developer intending to convert two seven-story residential office buildings into apartments failed to get an approval from the village board on its first reading, but after adjustments were made to it, the board voted to approve the development. 'There could be a wide range of scenarios to work through with the applicant on this proposal,' Deignan emailed Pioneer Press. 'The applicant is determining next steps, and has not given the Village an indication of what they would like to do and if they will make any modifications to the project.'
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Skokie swears in first new mayor in 26 years, new Village Board
A jam-packed Council Chamber cheered and clapped for what some saw as a new day in Skokie, with the swearing in of a new mayor and Village Board on Monday. Mayor Ann Tennes was the first official to be sworn in, and received a standing ovation from Skokie residents after she commented on what it means to be Skokie's mayor. Incumbent Trustees Keith Robinson and Alison Pure Slovin were sworn in for their second term on the village board, and new trustees Kimani Levy, Lissa Levy, Jim Iverson and Gail Schechter took the oath for the first time. Village Clerk Minal Desai was also sworn in at Monday's Village Board meeting. 'Thank you to everyone who entrusted all of us to guide our community,' Tennes said. 'As (it) has been said in the last few minutes, whether you voted for one of us, all of us, or some of us, we will represent you.' Tennes paid homage to past female mayors in the northern suburbs, including Jacqueline Gorell (Skokie), Lorraine H. Morton (Evanston), Joan Barr (Evanston), Madeleine Grant (Lincolnwood), Nancy Firfer (Glenview), and Sheila H. Schultz (Wheeling). 'I stand on their shoulders this evening,' she said. 'I believe that we will see that the best decision we make will often include components of our differing thoughts and opinions on the issues we face. And I also believe, and I know, that we are all stronger and better together,' Tennes said. The new village board represents a mix of more traditionally-minded officials and reformers who felt empowered to run for office after the village implemented election reform initiated by residents through a petition. As part of that election reform, an amended election code created term limits, staggered terms for trustees (with some running every two years) and four geographic districts from which trustees were to be elected. In line with that last item, the Skokie Village Board now contains four district trustees and two at-large trustees who represent the entire village. Election reform also created non-partisan elections, meaning that party affiliation wasn't on the ballot for Skokie voters. Skokie voters also recently approved ranked-choice voting for its municipal elections, though that voting system appears to be facing roadblocks to implementation in Cook County. Robinson, who received the most votes for re-election in his race, thanked voters. 'Your confidence humbles me and I do not take it lightly,' he said. 'This election felt very different. While we're no longer managing the global crisis of COVID-19, like we did before, we are undeniably in another epidemic: a national crisis of hate, division and misinformation.' 'What grounded me was the joy of connecting, meeting new people, walking through new neighborhoods and listening — I'm talking real deep listening — from parents concerned about their LGBTQIA+ children's future, to families unsure about where they will live next. To folks who are worried about something as basic, but as real as the rat and garbage problem,' Robinson said. 'To my new colleagues on the board, congratulations. We've got work to do. And if I can offer some unsolicited old head advice — check your privileges and your bias at the door. This seat is not about your personal agenda, it's about our shared future. Ask questions. Be willing to learn and recognize the brilliance of this village and the value of the commissioners who work tirelessly behind the scenes.' Schechter said she accepted her seat on the board with humility, honor and gratitude. 'My philosophy of responsible democratic governance over my 40 years of community service that I developed is this: trust your people.' 'The underpinning of democracy is that no one is entitled to lead a government by divine right, inheritance, military might or wealth,' Schechter said. 'With electoral reform in Skokie, a campaign that I am proud to have chaired, now no political party has that kind of privilege either.' 'Today, you seat the first village board in decades that was elected based on our individual merits, vision and values. You have the right to expect a board that is accountable to you, as Alison said, that listens to you and that is not only welcoming, but invites you to sit at the governing table and contribute meaningfully to improving everyone's life,' she said.
Chicago Tribune
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Skokie swears in first new mayor in 26 years, new Village Board
A jam-packed Council Chamber cheered and clapped for what some saw as a new day in Skokie, with the swearing in of a new mayor and Village Board on Monday. Mayor Ann Tennes was the first official to be sworn in, and received a standing ovation from Skokie residents after she commented on what it means to be Skokie's mayor. Incumbent Trustees Keith Robinson and Alison Pure Slovin were sworn in for their second term on the village board, and new trustees Kimani Levy, Lissa Levy, Jim Iverson and Gail Schechter took the oath for the first time. Village Clerk Minal Desai was also sworn in at Monday's Village Board meeting. 'Thank you to everyone who entrusted all of us to guide our community,' Tennes said. 'As (it) has been said in the last few minutes, whether you voted for one of us, all of us, or some of us, we will represent you.' Tennes paid homage to past female mayors in the northern suburbs, including Jacqueline Gorell (Skokie), Lorraine H. Morton (Evanston), Joan Barr (Evanston), Madeleine Grant (Lincolnwood), Nancy Firfer (Glenview), and Sheila H. Schultz (Wheeling). 'I stand on their shoulders this evening,' she said. 'I believe that we will see that the best decision we make will often include components of our differing thoughts and opinions on the issues we face. And I also believe, and I know, that we are all stronger and better together,' Tennes said. The new village board represents a mix of more traditionally-minded officials and reformers who felt empowered to run for office after the village implemented election reform initiated by residents through a petition. As part of that election reform, an amended election code created term limits, staggered terms for trustees (with some running every two years) and four geographic districts from which trustees were to be elected. In line with that last item, the Skokie Village Board now contains four district trustees and two at-large trustees who represent the entire village. Election reform also created non-partisan elections, meaning that party affiliation wasn't on the ballot for Skokie voters. Skokie voters also recently approved ranked-choice voting for its municipal elections, though that voting system appears to be facing roadblocks to implementation in Cook County. Robinson, who received the most votes for re-election in his race, thanked voters. 'Your confidence humbles me and I do not take it lightly,' he said. 'This election felt very different. While we're no longer managing the global crisis of COVID-19, like we did before, we are undeniably in another epidemic: a national crisis of hate, division and misinformation.' 'What grounded me was the joy of connecting, meeting new people, walking through new neighborhoods and listening — I'm talking real deep listening — from parents concerned about their LGBTQIA+ children's future, to families unsure about where they will live next. To folks who are worried about something as basic, but as real as the rat and garbage problem,' Robinson said. 'To my new colleagues on the board, congratulations. We've got work to do. And if I can offer some unsolicited old head advice — check your privileges and your bias at the door. This seat is not about your personal agenda, it's about our shared future. Ask questions. Be willing to learn and recognize the brilliance of this village and the value of the commissioners who work tirelessly behind the scenes.' Schechter said she accepted her seat on the board with humility, honor and gratitude. 'My philosophy of responsible democratic governance over my 40 years of community service that I developed is this: trust your people.' 'The underpinning of democracy is that no one is entitled to lead a government by divine right, inheritance, military might or wealth,' Schechter said. 'With electoral reform in Skokie, a campaign that I am proud to have chaired, now no political party has that kind of privilege either.' 'Today, you seat the first village board in decades that was elected based on our individual merits, vision and values. You have the right to expect a board that is accountable to you, as Alison said, that listens to you and that is not only welcoming, but invites you to sit at the governing table and contribute meaningfully to improving everyone's life,' she said.
