Consumer Affairs Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-04-10

Village of Skokie
 Consumer Affairs Commission
 Wednesday, April 10, 2024
 6:30 P.M.
 Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie IL, Conference Room A




 I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER I DECLARATION OF QUOURM

 TI. INTRODUCTIONS
 a. Members of the Consumer Affairs Commission
 b. Carol White, Economic Vitality Coordinator

 III. OLD BUSINESS

 IV. NEW BUSINESS
 a. Shop Local Campaign – Staff will provide ideas for creation of a 2024 theme.
 b. 2023 Business of the Year and nominee visits -Gary Merrill will report back on his interaction
 and visit to Charcoal Oven Restaurant.
 c. Policy recommendations impacting Consumer spending in Skokie

 V. COMMUNICATIONS
 a. Village Staff
 b. CAC Members

 VI. PUBLIC COMMENT

 VII. ADJOURNMENT



 The next regular meeting of the Consumer Affairs Commission is scheduled for Wednesday,
 May 8, 2024 at 6:30 P.M. in Conference Room A. Please note -Supporting Village of Skokie
 Sustainability Initiatives - Guest Speaker – Lisa Sanzenbacher, Village Sustainability
 Coordinator shares initiatives in Downtown Skokie will be added to the May agenda as she
 is unavailable for April 10.




#617569
 Consumer Affairs Commission Minutes
 March 6, 2024 – 6:30pm | Meeting called to order by Biju Krishnan

Attendance

In Attendance:
  Biju Krishnan, Chair
  Ted Lavine
  Jerry Kirkpatrick
  George Mathew
  Howard Meyer
  Natalie Lopatkiewicz
  Khem Khoeun, Trustee
  Gary Merrill


Village Staff:
  Johanna Nyden
  Carol White

Excused:
  Regina Kinyui
  Pratap Sampat
  Nancy Steinfink
  Anil Pillai


Minutes

I. Meeting called to order at 6:30.
II. Approval of Minutes.
Chair Krishman motioned to approve the minutes from October 13, 2023. Howard Meyer seconded. Motion
passed.
III. New Business
Discussion was focused on what the focus of the Commission would be for 2024. Four (4) topics were chosen.

2024 Business of the Year and implementation of a recognition plan of 2023 winners.
The Commission approved the following volunteers to visit 2023 award winners and approved an agreed
upon procedure to follow during the visit.
 1. Schedule the visit in advance with the business.



 #618451
 2. Inform Carol White, Ecomonic Vitality Coordinator so that she may schedule Village Marketing
 Coordinator to photo visit. If Marketing Coordinator unavailable, please have someone take photo
 of your visit and send to Carol White.
 3. Introduce yourself and who you represent. Explain why you are there.
 ‐wear nametag
 ‐wear t‐shirt representing the Consumer Affairs Commission
 4. Ask the following questions?
 ‐How did it feel to be recognized for 2023 Business of the Year? How did you celebrate it?
 5. What can the Village do to help in the success of your business?

The Schedule of Visits is as follows:
 Month of Visit Commission Member Business
 March 2024 (present back to Gary Merrill Charcoal Oven ‐ Maria Georgouses
 Commission at April 10 meeting) Franco, Rich Franco
 4400 Golf Road (847) 675-8062
 April 2024 (present back to Natalie Lopatkiewicz Soul Good Coffee – Christina
 Commission at May 8 meeting) 773.243.6471

 June 2024 (present back to Natalie Lopatkiewicz Take Flight Spirits – Carrie Cole
 8038 Lincoln Ave. (847) 324-9373
 Commission at July 10 meeting)
 September 2024 (present back to Biju Krishman Qahwah House – Areeba Jaffery
 Commission at September 11 5238 W. Touhy (847) 305-1108
 meeting)
** It was also identified that a visit to the Farmer’s Market would be appropriate. Ted Lavine volunteered to visit the
Farmer’s Market in September and report back at the October 9 meeting.

2024 Business of the Year
The following schedule was discussed and agreed on to choose the 2024 Business of the Year and nominees.
As of July 1, 2024, ballot boxes will be placed at the four (4) businesses recognized in 2023. The Village will also
post a link for online entries in their weekly e‐news and on ExploreSkokie social media sites. The collections
will continue until the end of the month. In August 2024, a questionnaire will be distributed to all nominees
to be completed and returned by August 30, 2024. Staff will then prepare packets with all the information
collected for the Commission to review in September 2024. The Commission will choose the winner and
nominees at the October 9 meeting and staff will inform winners with an invitation to the November 18 Village
Board Meeting.

Creation of a Skokie Specific Shop Local Campaign.
Staff and Commission members will return to the April 10th meeting with ideas for this campaign. Staff will
specifically look at best practices in other towns and share ideas for consensus at the April 10 meeting.

Supporting Village of Skokie Sustainability Initiatives.
Commission will support efforts presented by Lisa Sanzenbacher, Village Sustainability Coordinator at the
April 10 meeting. The initiative will be focused on Downtown Skokie before expanding outward.



Identify policy recommendations that impact Consumer spending.
 Page 2
The Commission will remain vigilant in their Village travels and report back to the group should a particular
issue arise.


IV. Communications
Village Staff, Carol White shared the tremendous momentum in Downtown Skokie in the opening of new
businesses. She was asked to order name tags for Commission members to be used when representing the
Commission at Skokie businesses and provide a t‐shirt to Commission member Natalie Lopatkiewicz. It was
noted that the murals above Kneads and Wants and Will’s Place are peeling and should be improved.
V. Public Comment:
None.


Motion to adjourn was made at 8:40pm and was passed unanimously.
Respectively submitted, Carol White, Economic Vitality Coordinator, Village of Skokie

Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 10, 2024 6:30pm




 Page 3

Consumer Affairs Commission Minutes
 April 10, 2024 – 6:30pm | Meeting called to order by Biju Krishnan

Attendance

In Attendance:
 • Biju Krishnan, Chair
 • Ted Lavine
 • George Mathew
 • Howard Meyer
 • Natalie Lopatkiewicz
 • Gary Merrill


Village Staff:
 • Carol White

Excused:
 • Jerry Kirkpatrick
 • Khem Khoeun, Trustee
 • Regina Kinyui
 • Pratap Sampat
 • Nancy Steinfink
 • Anil Pillai


Minutes

I. Meeting called to order at 6:32.

II. Approval of Minutes.
Chair Krishman motioned to approve the minutes from March 6, 2024. Ted Lavine seconded. Motion passed.

III. New Business
2024 Business of the Year and implementation of a recognition plan of 2023 winners.
Gary Merrill was unable to get to Charcoal Oven before the April 10 meeting and will visit before the May
meeting.


The Schedule of Visits is as follows:
 Month of Visit Commission Member Business



 #618724
 March 2024 (present back to Gary Merrill Charcoal Oven - Maria Georgouses
 Commission at April 10 meeting) Franco, Rich Franco
 4400 Skokie Road (847) 675-8062
 April 2024 (present back to Natalie Lopatkiewicz Soul Good Coffee – Christina
 Commission at May 8 meeting) 773.243.6471

 June 2024 (present back to Natalie Lopatkiewicz Take Flight Spirits – Carrie Cole
 8038 Lincoln Ave. (847) 324-9373
 Commission at July 10 meeting)
 September 2024 (present back to Biju Krishman Qahwah House – Areeba Jaffery
 Commission at September 11 5238 W. Touhy (847) 305-1108
 meeting)
** It was also identified that a visit to the Farmer’s Market would be appropriate. Ted Lavine volunteered to visit the
Farmer’s Market in September and report back at the October 9 meeting.

Creation of a Skokie Specific Shop Local Campaign.
Staff presented ideas with images for this campaign. Discussion resulted in a recommendation of the choice
labeled number 3. Staff will share with Downtown Business community and a theme will be chosen before
next meeting.

Supporting Village of Skokie Sustainability Initiatives.
Lisa Sanzenbacher, Village Sustainability Coordinator will be our guest speaker at the May 8 meeting. The
initiative will be focused on Downtown Skokie before expanding outward.

Identify policy recommendations that impact Consumer spending.
No recommendations were discussed.


IV. Communications
Village Staff, Carol White shared the tremendous momentum in Downtown Skokie in the opening of new
businesses. A t-shirt was given to Commission member Natalie Lopatkiewicz. An updated Shop and Dine
Card was shared and positive feedback was celebrated.


V. Public Comment:
None.


Motion to adjourn was made at 7:30pm and was passed unanimously.
Respectively submitted, Carol White, Economic Vitality Coordinator, Village of Skokie

Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 8, 2024 6:30pm




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