Latest news with #SkokieVillageBoard
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.
Chicago Tribune
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Skokie strengthens immigration protections ordinance
Though not officially labeled as a Welcoming City on paper, the Skokie Village Board approved measures to restrict assisting federal immigration agents in certain cases. The village will also be able to give limited help to those in the immigration booking system. The updated Human Relations Chapter of the village's code does not conflict with federal law, as it still requires the village and its police department to assist federal officers in serving criminal warrants, officials said. The Village Board unanimously approved the changes to the village's code at its March 17 meeting. The new addendums in the Human Relations chapter state that the village shall not assist immigration officers who do not have a criminal warrant, assist in information sharing, arrest or detain someone based solely on their immigration status. The village is also mandated to notify foreign nationals of their right to contact consulates within 48 hours of their booking, support programs available for immigrants who are victims of qualifying crimes and who are potential witnesses for prosecution of a crime, and to respond promptly to requests for visa supporting documents and visa certifications. Those mandates and restrictions were already in practice in Skokie, according to Mayor George Van Dusen, but the Village Board approved updating to reinforce its stance. Under President Donald Trump's first term in office, the Village Board approved amendments to its Human Relations chapter in 2017 to create safe zones in health care facilities, schools and universities. Michael Lorge, the village's corporation counsel said at the time that the village granted legal protections to its residents that are commonly seen in 'sanctuary cities.' Van Dusen defended the integrity of the 2017 protections at a Village Board meeting Feb. 3, and said the Board created those protections before the state approved the TRUST Act. The subject came back to the Village Board as an honorary proclamation at the Feb. 18 meeting reiterating the village's support for all immigrants. 'Mr. Tsao, with (ICIRR) made some suggestions to us,' Van Dusen said after the proclamation was read by Trustee Khem Khouen. 'In the (Police) Chief's guidance, he states the following, 'Under prohibited activities: No compliance with immigration detainers, administrative warrants or custody transfers without a criminal warrant. No sharing of information about individuals in custody, including release dates.'' 'Under stops, arrests and detentions: No stops, searches, arrests or detentions based solely on immigration status.' 'The Chief reiterates, ICE administrative warrants do not justify arrests or detentions,' Van Dusen said. 'Individuals in custody cannot be denied services, benefits or programs based on immigration status.' 'Facilities must notify foreign nationals of the right to contact consulates within 48 hours of booking,' he said. Van Dusen said the police department does so to build community trust and treat all individuals equitably, regardless of immigration status. Khoeun thanked Van Dusen for explaining the ordinance publicly, and filed a motion to clarify the village's intentions in its Human Relations Chapter. 'We want to make sure that it's explicit so that we're future-proofing it as well, regardless of who's here,' she said, while adding to her motion a provision for the village to work with ICIRR to be proactive in making changes to the village's code if necessary. The motion was seconded by Trustee Keith Robinson; the Village Board had approved a first reading of it on March 3.
