Public Safety Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2026-02-18

SKOKIE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026

 PRESENT: Michael Anderson, Police Chief Jesse Barnes, Hal Bernstein, Carrie Bradean, Marcie Claus, Connell Collins, Oren
 DeKalo, John Domke, Fire Chief Nicholas Eschner, Arnie Oskin, Paul Pitalis (Emeritus), Leslie Post-Weissinger,
 Howard Rosenburg, Irwin Shiffman, Transportation Engineer Erik Sanchez, and Chair Melissa Villegas

 EXCUSED: Police DC Denise Franklin, Fire DC Stephen Jagman, Avron Kahn, Trustee Kimani Levy, Senior Engineer
 Samantha Maximilian, Police DC John Oakley, Deputy Chief Adam Pease, Director of Engineering Russ Rietveld,
 Vice Chair Dennis Rizo, Jeffrey Schvimer and Bryant Smith

  ABSENT: Scott Ford, Paul Kruszynski (Emeritus) and Fred Moore

CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Chair Villegas called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., and a quorum was established. During review of the January minutes, Erik
Sanchez noted a change that was made to the Engineering Report which involved conducting an engineering study for the intersection
of Central Park Ave and Greenleaf St.

A motion to approve the January minutes was made and seconded. All were in favor and the motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENT
None

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Chief Eschner presented an overview of Fire Department’s services, qualities, and organization. The presentation includes values,
services, organization, statistics, resources, programs, and cover area. A brief question-and-answer discussion was followed after the
overview. Chief Eschner presented the Fire Department’s January report. Incident reports for January 2026 were lower than those in
January 2025. EMS calls were slightly lower when comparted to 2025. Chief Eschner reported on the significant response for the
residential fire at the 7500 block of Kostner Ave. A brief question-and-answer was followed after the January Operation Summary
report.

POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Chief Barnes presented the Police Department’s January report, followed by a question-and-answer session. There were less Group A
offenses when compared to January 2025. Calls for services were up 11%. More accidents were reported when compared to 2025. The
percent change was 15%. The Skokie Police Department is preparing the roll-out of the speed limit reduction of residential streets to
25 miles per hour coming in March 1, 2026. Targeted enforcement will be conducted to increase awareness of the change. Chief
Barnes gave an overview of future employment.

ENGINEERING REPORT
Erik Sanchez presented the Engineering report. The 25 miles per hour speed limit reduction on residential streets is going into effect
March 1. The board recently approved the resolution to proceed with CMAP on providing technical assistance on the Bike and Ped
plan. Howard St between Skokie Blvd and McCormick Blvd and Gross Point Rd between Church St and Main St will be resurfaced in
the next two to three years. The Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at Lincoln Ave for the Skokie Valley Trail is ongoing on
expected to be complete in Spring. A brief question-and-answer discussion was followed. Chair Melissa Villegas raised a concern
regarding lighting for the Skokie Valley Trail.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None

NEW BUSINESS
A commissioner asked about updates to the E-Mobility ordinance. Chief Barnes updated the commission. No action was taken.

ADJOURNMENT
At approximately 8:12 p.m. Commissioner Rosenburg made a motion to adjourn, Commissioner Bradean seconded, all approved and
the meeting was adjourned.
 THE NEXT MEETING OF THE SKOKIE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY,
 MARCH 18, 2026 AT 7:00 P.M. AT SKOKIE POLICE STATION 17 AT
 7300 NILES CENTER ROAD
 PLEASE CALL ENGINEERING DIVISION AT 847-933-8232 IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE MEETING




Document Number: 508651
Document Name: Public Safety Commission Minutes Version: 88