At a reception organized by the village of Skokie and friends of Mayor George Van Dusen, longtime village trustees announced that the Center Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts is being renamed for Skokie’s longest-serving mayor.
Mayor George Van Dusen, who is not running for re-election, served for 24 years as mayor and 16 years as a trustee on the Village Board. At the March 20 event, he spoke about his time serving the village to a crowd of nearly 200.
The attendees were people who Van Dusen has professional and personal relationships with during the time he served the village, according to his secretary Vicky Varga.
“I think this tribute not only reflects his leadership, his vision for a thriving, vibrant community, but also highlights his commitment to enriching our cultural life,” said Trustee Edie Sue Sutker, moments before the unveiling of the George Van Dusen Theater of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.
“He (Van Dusen) has served our community with great distinction,” Trustee Ralph Klein said. “You cannot help but notice the passion he has in building our village, and providing opportunities and places in the village for people to enjoy life in Skokie.”
“Therefore, it is appropriate that we salute him in this building tonight with a permanent recognition for everything that you have accomplished,” Klein said, motioning to Van Dusen.
“Mayor Van Dusen is an individual who has spent every waking hour for four decades caring for our entire village through action and dreaming big ideas like this building and the Illinois Science + Technology Park,” Corporation Counsel Michael Lorge said.
After about a half hour of similar remarks from people who have known him for decades, including Village Manager John Lockerby, Van Dusen’s wife Susan Van Dusen and Former Illinois Secretary of State Jessie White’s former spokesperson David Druker, Van Dusen took the stage to speak.
“I find over-exaggeration is alive and well this evening,” Van Dusen quipped, taking a pause for laughter. “I don’t think I quite deserve all of those accolades.”
“The saying that I always kept with me as my guiding light: Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success,” Van Dusen said.
“If you look at this village, it’s perseverance and collaboration. It’s not any one person,” Van Dusen said.
At the next Village Board meeting on April 7, the village will also be honoring the mayor and other departing elected officials.
