Board of Trustees — Skokie, IL
Date: 2026-04-21

REVISED

 Village of Skokie
 FY27 Budget Hearings
 Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street
 Conference Room D & E

 MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026 - 6:15 PM

 Municipal Finances 101 and Budget Overview
 Review of Budgets:
 Board of Trustees/Liquor Control Commission
 Village Clerk
 Corporation Counsel
 Finance Department
 Public Comment
 Closed Session (Wage & Benefit):
 Pursuant to Section 2, Paragraph C.2 of the State of Illinois Open Meetings Act,
 a closed session is requested to discuss wage & benefit of all Village employees
 and to adjourn therefrom.


 THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026 – 6:15 PM

 Review of Budgets:
 Administration
 Police Department
 Board of Fire & Police Commission
 Public Works/Capital Improvement Program
 Public Comment


 REVISED: TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026 – 7:00 PM

 Review of Budgets:
 Fire Department
 Community Development
 Economic Vitality/TIF
 Health and Human Services
 Public Comment


 MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2026 - 6:15 PM

 Review of Budgets:
 Boards and Commissions
 Performing Arts Center
 Grant Programming
 Public Comments

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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




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 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



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 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




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