Shared Vision and Goals

Join us in shaping the future of Skokie! Together, we can elect leaders who genuinely reflect our vibrant community. Our candidates are long-time residents dedicated to Skokie, having invested their time and efforts to make it a better place. With their lived experiences, they embody resilience, compassion, and a commitment to fostering fostering meaningful dialogue between all residents.

Let’s unite in their vision for a brighter tomorrow and be part of the progress that moves Skokie forward!

Leading with the At-Large Candidates

Meet Azi, Minal, Khem, and Keith – a dynamic team committed to driving Skokie forward into the future. With a unique mix of experience and fresh ideas, they embody the community's spirit and resilience. Working together, they aim to deliver meaningful results that benefit all residents. Their steadfast dedication paves the way for a brighter tomorrow for Skokie.

David "Azi" Lifsics

for Mayor

Minal Desai

For Clerk

Keith Robinson

For Skokie At-Large Trustee

Khemarey "Khem" Khoeun

For Skokie At-Large Trustee

District Candidates Who Share Our Vision

Skokie is embarking on a new chapter in its governance, as it will now have district representation for the first time. Previously, all Trustees are elected at-large, but this change aims to bring a more localized approach to decision-making community engagement.

Meet Alison & Eddie - where experience meets a fresh perspective! They offer a blend of seasoned knowledge and innovative ideas, ready to serve our community with passion and dedication, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.

More to come on the District races...

Kimay Levy

For District 1 Trustee

Alision Pure-Slovin

For District 2 Trustee

Eddie Olivieri

For District 4 Trustee

Building Our Future Together

Skokie is a vibrant community that proudly celebrates its achievements, making it a desirable place for families to raise children and for retirees to enjoy their years. We honor the hard work of those who laid the foundation for our growth, unity, and shared vision. Together, we are committed to fostering an environment that ensures Skokie's continued success and prosperity for generations come.

Skokie is a welcoming community

The Village of Skokie has a proud history of promoting equal opportunity in housing, having established a Fair Housing Ordinance in 1967. This groundbreaking initiative marked Skokie as one of the first municipalities in Illinois to advocate for housing practices, demonstrating a commitment to creating an inclusive community for all residents. By championing these values, Skokie continues to lead the way in fostering a diverse and welcoming environment.

The Human Relations Commission was created in 1979 to promote unity and to encourage residents to work in integrated ways to strengthen the community. The commission's purpose is to promote understanding and respect between residents of different racial, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. The commission also works to safeguard the rights of all citizens.

In 2017, the Skokie Village Board unanimously voted to strengthen the Village's human relations code to protect immigrant rights. A "Welcoming Community" ordinance in Skokie, would prevent village staff from considering an individual's immigration status when providing services. It would also ensure that the police would not use resources based on immigration status.

In 2022, the Village of Skokie and the Human Relations Commission initiated a significant review of the Village seal, which has symbolized the community since the late 1940s. The Committee's findings revealed that the current seal fails to accurately represent the tribes historically linked to the area and does not align with the desires of some members of the Native community. Recognizing that such depictions can perpetuate stereotypes, the Village Seal Review Committee unanimously recommended a new design. This new seal will celebrate Skokie's rich history, honor the Native community, and reflect the vibrant multicultural essence of the village, embracing the promising future ahead.

In 2017, amidst attacks on immigrants and women, Khem Khoeun took a bold step to run for public office, aiming to create a safe and inclusive environment for her children and other families.

Breaking barriers, Khem achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Cambodian American woman elected to any position in the country.

Strong community and economic development builds resilience

By fostering collaboration and encouraging development, we can create a supportive an environment that enables individuals and businesses to thrive. Investing in our community not only enhances economic growth but also strengthens social ties, ensuring that we can face challenges together.

Skokie has proudly maintained a property tax for the 35th consecutive year in 2024, showcasing its dedication fiscal responsibility. If the village had increased the levy in line with inflation since 1990, taxpayers would have faced an additional burden of $243 million. This freeze is strategically aimed at enabling school districts and other taxing bodies to secure a larger portion of property tax revenues, ensuring essential funding for education and community services. The commitment to this policy highlights Skokie's focus on supporting its residents and local institutions.

Old Orchard has been a beloved shopping destination since 1956, but it needed revitalization to keep attracting visitors from near and far. As the largest economic engine in the village, generating approximately $50 million in annual sales tax revenue, the mall plays a crucial role in our community's prosperity. In 2022, the Village Board designated the property as business district, enabling a 1% sales to fund its much-needed improvements. With Westfield drawing shoppers from across the Chicagoland area, the financial benefits will significantly enhance our local economy while sharing the tax burden with out-of-town visitors.

The Skokie Village Board reviewed plans that are shaping the future redevelopment of the Main Street Commercial Corridor, stretching from Crawford to Tripp Avenues. In the meantime, Skokie's Winter Market on Main Street quickly became a vibrant hub, drawing significant activity and interest to Main Street. This dynamic initiative not only enhances community engagement but also sets the stage for future growth and revitalization in the area.

The Village is committed to diverse housing options that meet residents’ needs, support workforce, and drive economic growth. In 2023, after extensive public input, the Village Board approved five Affordable Housing Policy goals, including an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, establishing a Skokie Land Trust, and creating a Housing Sub-Committee of the Village Plan Commission to support these efforts. We look forward to completing a comprehensive housing study to measure progress, assess the inclusionary housing ordinance, and ensure the right strategies are in place to support development, affordability, and long-term community stability. We need reliable data to guide any further expansion of the inclusionary housing ordinance and to understand how the market is responding to it.

Together, these initiatives foster a vibrant and resilient community in Skokie.

Minal Desai was appointed Village Clerk in April 2024. Her business experience coupled with strong civic engagement has already made significant strives. She serves as a key figure in our Village, connecting with local partners to enhance community relationships and resources. Her leadership is poised to create a positive impact and foster collaboration within our community.

Commitment to public safety and community well-being

The Village of Skokie is proud to provide top-tier services, highlighted by our exceptional Police Department, Fire Department, and Health and Human Services. Our commitment to safety, community well-being, and support for residents sets us apart as a leader in local governance. The Village strives to ensure that every citizen receives the care and protection they deserve.

In 2021, the Village's Health and Human Services played a crucial role in the community's fight against COVID-19, successfully administering nearly 32,000 vaccinations and providing an additional 11,000 doses to local healthcare providers. Clinics began in January and operated weekly for both adults and children, with support from various departments, the Skokie Park District, and Skokie Public Library, alongside dedicated volunteers from the Medical Reserve Corps and the community. The success of these clinics was made possible by the generous contributions of Arie Crown Hebrew Day School, which provided clinic space, as well as the invaluable efforts of Hatzalah Chicago, North Park College, and Oakton Community College volunteers. Together, the Village's Health Department made a significant impact in keeping our community safe and healthy.

The Skokie Police Department took a proactive step in addressing mental health crises by forming a co-responder team in 2021. This two-person team, comprised of social worker Brian McHugh and Officer Kimberly Blue, is dedicated to responding to individuals in crisis. Together, they work to link these individuals to essential services, monitor their well-being after the initial response, and provide follow-up care for those requiring ongoing support. By utilizing their training in crisis intervention, they aim to defuse potentially volatile situations and promote a safer community.

In July 2021, the Public Safety Commission recommended changes to the Skokie Police Department's Use of Force Policy. This comprehensive proposal addressed not only use of force procedures but also emphasized training, transparency, accountability, trust, and community engagement. The recommendation was the result of a nine-month effort involving 16 community groups and members of the Skokie Police Department. By the end of 2021, the Village Board approved creation of a Skokie Police Use of Force Review Board, appointing nine residents who will meet semi-annually to evaluate the department's use of force findings.

Keith Robinson, like many in our community, was deeply moved to action by the tragic murder of George Floyd in 2020. The ensuing racial reckoning and political unrest inspired him to serve our village at a deeper level.

In 2021, Keith made history as the first Black member of the Skokie Village Board. As a current Trustee, he brings vital perspective and a wealth of experience to our board, ensuring that all voices are heard in our decision-making process.

Workers are the backbone of this community

David “Azi” Lifsics is a proud Skokie resident and community volunteer who has played a critical role in making our Village a great place to live.

Azi’s proudest accomplishment in his legal career was providing free legal services to women in need of assistance because of sexual harassment in the workplace, domestic violence or contentious divorces.

In 2019, Skokie took significant steps to safeguard worker rights by adopting a minimum wage that aligns with Cook County's standards and implementing a sick leave ordinance. A controversial proposal emerged that sought to temporarily lower the minimum wage by aligning it with state law, but the Village Board ultimately decided against it, preserving the increased wage. This debate sparked passionate discussions among business leaders and community members, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing economic growth with social responsibility.

Leaders like Azi, Keith, and Khem have demonstrated their commitment to these values, earning the endorsement of the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL) for their willingness to tackle complex issues and make informed decisions.

Endorses:

Azi Lifsics for Mayor
Keith Robinson, At-Large Trustee
Khem Khoeun, At-Large Trustee

Community engagement and data-driven decisions

This election cycle has been challenging, enlightening, and incredibly rewarding. Meeting new neighbors, making personal connections, and hearing directly from residents about what truly matters in their daily lives has been invaluable. Through authentic conversations—whether over coffee, at the door, in community gatherings and in neighbor’s living rooms—we've gained a deeper understanding of the priorities that shape Skokie.

As candidates, Azi, Minal, Keith and Khem have been out in the community, listening to residents and engaging them on the issues that matter most—including village services, public health, and quality of life. Overall, people are happy with Skokie and appreciate the services we provide, but we also hear concerns about increased rat activity and the need to restore twice-a-week garbage pickup.

A clean and well-maintained community is essential to both public health and the long-term vibrancy of our neighborhoods. Residents have shared that reduced garbage pickup has coincided with an uptick in rodent activity, making it clear that we must evaluate whether our current approach is meeting the needs of our growing and diverse community. At the same time, we recognize the importance of sustainability and should explore long-term solutions—such as a village-wide compost pickup—to reduce waste while balancing the needs of large, multi-generational households.

We are committed to exploring viable solutions to bring back twice-a-week garbage pickup, particularly during the summer months and holidays when more garbage is generated. As we continue to engage with residents and make data-driven decisions, we recognize the need to adapt our services to best support our residents. Community feedback is essential in shaping policies that work for everyone, and we will continue to listen, engage, and respond to the concerns of Skokie residents.