Board of Trustees

Village of Skokie Board of Trustees Budget Hearing #3 Meeting Minutes April 21, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. Conference Room D & E or Village of Skokie YouTube Channel 5127 Oakton St., Skokie, IL 60077 The Village’s FY27 Proposed Budget and Budget Message, a detailed summary of the budget, are available for review on the Village’s website, www.skokie.org/budget. Annually, the Village Board reviews the budget at four public budget hearings. These hearings are open to the public and also are streamed live and archived on the Village’s YouTube channel. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tennes. Mayor Tennes asked if there were any objections to Trustee Lissa Levy participating remotely. Hearing none, she confirmed that Trustee Lissa Levy would participate remotely. Roll Call/Declaration of Quorum In attendance: Trustees Schechter, Robinson, Lissa Levy, Iverson, Kimani Levy, Pure Slovin, and Mayor Tennes. Also present was Deputy Corporation Counsel, Barb Mangler, Village Clerk Minal Desai, Village Manager, John Lockerby, Assistant Village Manager Nick Wyatt and Assistant to the Village Manager, Alex Franz. Not in Attendance: None. Review of Budgets: I. Health and Human Services Mike Charley, Director of Health and Human Services, and Sher Lindo, Public Health Program Analyst, presented the FY27 Health and Human Services budget. Mayor Tennes asked about the Village’s rodent abatement efforts. Mike explained that the department has seen a consistent downward trend as a result of new and expanded abatement efforts. Trustee Robinson asked about a community-wide rate education campaign. Mike and Nick detailed the on-going efforts and improvements to the program. Trustee Pure Slovin asked for a report on the rat abatement efforts. Mayor Tennes said there will be a presentation at a Village Board meeting in May and noted that it is everyone’s responsibility to reduce rat cases. Trustee Schechter thanked the department and asked about the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act (CESSA). Mike explained what has been done to date. Trustee Schechter asked about the workforce development program. Mike and Mayor Tennes explained the program and how it is marketed. Trustee Pure Slovin asked how 1,900 people served in FY26 compares to prior years and if there has been a decrease in the need for social services. Mike explained that the demand has not decreased. Trustee Schechter asked about the 639209  projected number of individuals to receive financial assistance. Mike explained it is budget dependent. II. Fire Chief Nick Eschner, Deputy Chief Steve Jagman, Deputy Chief Adam Pease, and Management Analyst, Ryan Hall, presented the FY27 Fire budget and accomplishments from FY26. Trustee Pure Slovin suggested promoting the Fire Buddy program. Trustee Pure Slovin asked about CFAI accreditation. Chief Eschner explained that reaccreditation is every five years. Trustee Schechter asked if the new internship program would be budgeted annually. Chief Eschner said it would be barring any budget constraints. Trustee Kimani Levy asked about the increase in call volume at Station 18. Chief Eschner explained the reasons for the increase. Trustee Pure Slovin inquired on future retirements in the department. Chief Eschner explained that 11 people are age eligible. Trustee Robinson asked what qualifies someone for the department. Chief Eschner explained the character traits that the department looks for and that the age requirement is 21-35 years old. Trustee Robinson asked about the department’s recruitment efforts at Oakton College. Chief Eschner explained the departments involvement at Oakton College. Trustee Iverson inquired about the Power Hour pilot program and how it will be staffed. Chief Eschner explained it will be staffed through overtime. Trustee Schechter commended the department for their objective on equity and inclusion. Mayor Tennes asked about a new fire station. Chief Eschner and John explained the challenges and financial implications of a new station and that staff continue to monitor opportunities. Mayor Tennes asked if FY28 will include a discussion on a new station. John explained that a full time fourth ambulance will likely be a higher priority. Trustee Schechter asked about impact fees. John explained that staff have researched impact fees and the difficulty of establishing impact fees in a highly developed community like Skokie. III. Community Development and Economic Vitality/TIF Johanna Nyden, Community Development Director, and Rodney Tonelli, Economic Vitality Manager, presented the FY27 Community Development and Economic Vitality/TIF budgets as well as accomplishments from FY26. Mayor Tennes asked about the timeline of the economic vitality strategy. Rodney projected that the project would begin in the fall and take approximately six months to complete. Mayor Tennes asked about the Economic Development Commissions role in the economic vitality strategy. Rodney explained that they will have a significant role. Mayor Tennes noted the possibility of having a community conversation about economic vitality. Mayor Tennes asked about the Main Street plaza and the Illinois Science and Technology Park. Rodney explained the progress happening at both locations. Mayor Tennes asked about what the Village is doing to help small businesses succeed. Rodney explained the number of efforts that the Village takes and the resources available. Trustee Schechter commended the department for their work on the housing fund and suggested an objective on short term rental implementation and creating an inventory of vacant parcels. Johanna noted that a vacant property list exists. Trustee Schechter suggested 639209  incorporating the housing chapter of the comprehensive plan in the findings of fact of the Plan Commission. Trustee Iverson asked if the department has the bandwidth to take on new corridors for development. Johanna explained the benefit of targeted objectives and sub-area planning. Trustee Iverson asked about the downtown parking garage. Rodney explained that the garage will support the hotel and all of the downtown. Trustee Pure Slovin asked about an additional dispensary in the Village. Rodney explained the location criteria for an additional dispensary and the challenges facing the industry. Trustee Lissa Levy thanked the department for their work on Main Street. Trustee Schechter asked about expedited permits at Old Orchard. Johanna explained the long-standing policy and national deadlines that Old Orchard faces but noted that the Village has not needed to expedite their permits for a number of years. Mayor Tennes noted her recent visit to a Skokie manufacturer. Trustee Iverson noted his support for a “Made in Skokie” campaign. Trustee Kimani Levy asked about new entryway signs. Nick explained that the village is in the process of updating its entryway signs and will reshare the designs with the Board. Public Comment None. Adjournment Motion to adjourn 9:00 p.m. Moved: Trustee Pure Slovin Seconded: Trustee Kimani Levy Ayes: Lissa Levy, Iverson, Kimani Levy, Schechter, Pure Slovin and Robinson Nays: None. Absent: None. MOTION CARRIED 639209