Ann Tennes, Charles Isho and David “Azi” Lifsics are running for mayor of Skokie in the April 1 Cook County consolidated election.
The League of Women Voters scheduled a candidate forum for Feb. 24, but only Tennes agreed to participate, and thus the forum did not take place. Lifsics said he had a family obligation that night.
Following are Skokie Review interviews with the candidates. Isho did not respond to an interview request.
Ann Tennes
What is your current profession?
I am the president of Ann Tennes Communications, LLC, assisting municipalities around the country with communications strategy, professional recruitment, community engagement and strategic planning.
Have you previously held elected office?
I served as a trustee on the Oakton College board from 2007 to 2019.
Have you ever been involved in any Skokie commissions and/or committees?
I served as the Village of Skokie director of marketing and communication from 1998 to 2023. During that time, I served as the staff liaison to the Fine Arts and Public Safety Commissions, as well as the Performing Arts Center Board. While employed with the village, I also represented the village on the Skokie Festival of Cultures Board and Executive Committees (1999 to 2023); the Chicago’s North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau Board, Executive and Finance Committees (2002 to 2023) and led the Skokie Chamber of Commerce Marketing Task Force in 2018.
Although now retired, I continue to serve as the vice-chair of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts Foundation Board. I also served on the Skokie Community Foundation Board from 2019 to 2024, and was board chair from 2023 to 2024.
Before moving to Skokie in 2010, I served on the Park Ridge Zoning Board of Appeals from 1997 to 2010, serving as board chair for the final seven years of my service.
What are your top three priorities for Skokie if elected?
There is so much that is wonderful about Skokie – a renowned public library, award-winning park district, excellent schools and unsurpassed municipal services. Nonetheless, there are important opportunities for improvement, which includes:
- Ending the Village’s pattern of entering into development agreements with unreliable, under-resourced partners, 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. Most recently, 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. As mayor, I’d examine this contract. Are all aspects of it being upheld? 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 currently 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. As mayor, 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. Finally, as mayor, I will have a table at public events such as the Skokie Farmers’ Market, open-invitation coffees at Skokie coffee shops, the Skokie Festival of Cultures, Backlot Bash and other community events, 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.
David “Azi” Lifsics
What is your profession?
I am an attorney focusing on the technology aspect of law firm management.
Have you previously held an election position? If so, where?
I have not previously held an elected position but I was legislative counsel to Alderman Debra Silverstein in the 50th Ward of Chicago.
Have you been involved in any Skokie commissions and committees?
While I have not officially served on any commission or committee, I have been deeply engaged in Skokie’s governance in other ways. For the past two-plus years, I have attended nearly every Village Board meeting (and those I’ve missed I caught on YouTube), gaining firsthand knowledge of the decision-making process and the issues facing our community.
Beyond attending meetings, I have had extensive discussions with all six trustees, the mayor, and numerous professional staff members on a wide range of topics. These relationships, along with the connections I’ve built over the years, will be invaluable in ensuring a seamless transition if I am elected as Skokie’s next mayor. I am ready to hit the ground running and put my experience to work for the residents of Skokie.
What are your top 3 priorities for Skokie if elected?
- Economic Development. More than 23% of Skokie’s village budget comes from sales tax revenue, making economic growth a key priority. While the village has done a good job assisting businesses that seek opportunities in Skokie, I believe we must take a more proactive approach to attracting new businesses. I propose launching a Skokie ambassador program, activating residents who travel outside the village for work, vacations or simply dining. These ambassadors would be equipped with key information, including available commercial spaces, square footage, rental rates, and direct contacts for Skokie’s economic development team. When they come across successful businesses in other cities, they can provide business owners with everything they need to consider opening a location in Skokie.
- Keeping the Property Tax Levy Freeze in Place. Skokie has not raised its property tax levy in decades, and I intend to keep it steady. One of the biggest concerns I hear from residents is the rising cost of living, particularly property taxes. While the village cannot control all aspects of taxation, we can ensure that the portion under our control remains stable. I will work with the Board to maintain fiscal responsibility and ensure that property taxes do not become a greater burden on Skokie families.
- 3) Expanding Smart911 Participation for Emergency Preparedness. The recent water main break reminded us all how critical effective communication is during emergencies. Skokie already has Smart911, a system designed to alert residents in real time. However, its effectiveness depends on how many people are signed up—and right now, not enough residents are enrolled. I propose implementing a Motor-Voter-style initiative to encourage sign-ups. When residents renew their vehicle stickers or pay their water bills, they should be asked if they want to sign up for Smart911 or update their existing information. Additionally, we should expand the system’s reach by integrating notifications into social media, WhatsApp, and other widely used platforms to ensure that emergency alerts reach as many residents as possible.
