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.
