1) The Skokie electoral reform effort as sparked by what many felt was mishandling of zoning approval for a giant Carvana tower. Would you have handled it differently? How? What changes, if any, would you make to Skokie’s zoning process? 

 

First and foremost, residents deserve a real say in Skokie’s growth. While we can’t reverse the Village’s decision to override community and environmental concerns in approving Carvana, we can take meaningful steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

 

We need to begin with a comprehensive economic development plan, created in collaboration with Village staff, officials, the Economic Development Commission, and other key stakeholders. This plan will ensure that:

 

• Residents have a meaningful opportunity to shape decisions from the beginning of projects.

• Skokie makes strategic investments in projects that align with the community’s needs and values.

 

We can’t focus solely on attracting large national and multinational corporations. It’s equally important to support our local small and medium-sized businesses. For example, we can simplify and streamline the permit process to make it easier for them to thrive.

 

Additionally, we must invest in economic growth across all neighborhoods by offering targeted tax incentives and grants, especially in underserved areas. This approach will help build a more balanced and inclusive economy in Skokie.

 

Skokie’s zoning process should be reviewed carefully to ensure it continues to serve our community’s needs while protecting its character. As the only mayoral candidate who has chaired a zoning board, I know firsthand that zoning must balance preservation with opportunities for thoughtful growth.

 

Recent years warrant a thorough, transparent examination of our zoning policies, with extensive community input. Any changes should reflect what residents want and need—not just what developers propose. Looking at successful models from peer communities across the country can help identify best practices that might benefit Skokie.

 

Some past zoning updates, like transit-oriented zoning near Skokie Swift stations, have been smart, strategic moves. But zoning changes—especially those near residential areas—must be considered carefully, with open dialogue and input from neighbors. My approach will ensure that any adjustments are made thoughtfully, transparently, and always with Skokie’s best interests in mind.

 

This answer – and the following answers – provide an overview of my approach. These answers provide an overview of my approach. If you’d like to dive deeper, I invite you to join me at one of my many conversation events at Skokie restaurants and coffee shops—we can discuss the issues in more detail together!

 

2) A separate, though related issue: What do you think could have been done to prevent the abandoned hotel project on Oakton Street? Now that it is essentially a ruin, what are your thoughts on what can be / should be done? What can be done to prevent such a thing from happening in the future? What are the metrics for vetting developers? 

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Skokie now has a pattern of failed development deals that has left taxpayers footing the bill. This trend started in 2018 with the 8000 North development project at Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street. Now, the abandoned hotel on Oakton Street stands as an eyesore in downtown Skokie. Poor vetting, weak contracts, and unreliable partners have cost our community jobs, resources, and valuable opportunities. This cannot continue.

As mayor, I will take immediate action: 

• Within my first 30 days, there will be a public report to the community discussed in open session with whatever information can be publicly shared.

• Experts will assess the structure’s viability and also potential options for ensuring the property is put to the highest and best use for this important Downtown Skokie location.

• Most importantly, the development agreement for this project and the initial 8000 North project will be reviewed by outside experts who can advise the Village on due diligence and contractual deficiencies so that these kinds of mistakes do not happen again.

 

To prevent future failures, I will:

 

• Push for stronger vetting of developers, smarter contracts that protect taxpayers, and greater transparency so residents have a real voice in Skokie’s growth. 

• Ensure outside legal experts review major deals—not just to fix past mistakes but to ensure Skokie’s future developments are responsible, sustainable, and truly benefit our community.

 

Together, we can build a Skokie where development serves the best interests of our residents, preserves our community’s values, and ensures that taxpayer dollars are protected.

 

3) The catastrophic water main break was a wake up call about aging infrastructure. Accidents happen and this was clearly a catastrophic one, but what are your plans for prevention? Are there ways to better inspect water mains with sensors? 

 

The recent water main break is a stark reminder that Skokie’s infrastructure needs proactive attention. We cannot afford to wait for failures before acting. As mayor, I will prioritize continual assessment of our infrastructure to stay ahead of costly and disruptive repairs.

 

When financially feasible, Skokie should explore emerging technologies—such as sensor-based monitoring—to better inspect water mains and detect potential issues before they become emergencies. Proactive maintenance is essential not only for residents and businesses but also for ensuring the Village remains an attractive place to live and work.

 

As a leader with experience in public works policy and infrastructure planning—including co-authoring articles for the American Public Works Association—I understand the importance of forward-thinking solutions. As mayor, I will ensure Skokie takes a strategic, data-driven approach to maintaining and improving our critical infrastructure.

 

4) Skokie has an industrial park. What is the occupancy? What could be done to develop it further? It’s an asset that doesn’t often get discussed. Are there ways to build synergies between Oakton Community College and the industrial park? 

 

Assuming this question addresses the southeast industrial corridor, the answer is to continue to meet with business owners there regarding retention and how the Village can help them succeed. A team from the Village, Skokie Chamber of Commerce and Oakton College could conduct those visits, just as I was part of a Village/Chamber team that conducted business retention visits in the early 2000s. 

 

When new opportunities are presented for growth in the industrial corridor, the Village needs to assist with resources such as identifying and obtaining Cook County tax incentives. Although the park has a more than 95 percent occupancy (Costar.com), the Village needs to keep an eye on emerging technologies and work with real estate brokers who represent vacant industrial park properties to seek new tenants.

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If the question was regarding Skokie’s Illinois Science + Technology Park, it is a valuable but underutilized asset. To maximize its potential, we must take a strategic approach to attracting and retaining businesses in high-growth sectors like tech, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. 

The Village should consider establishing and/or revitalizing economic opportunity zones, offering tax incentives, grants, and infrastructure support to businesses willing to invest in Skokie. Enhancing transportation networks and broadband access will make the area more attractive to companies looking to relocate or expand.

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Additionally, we should build stronger partnerships between Oakton College and Illinois Science + Technology Park, fostering workforce development programs and industry collaborations. By connecting businesses with local universities, research institutions, and innovation hubs, we can create an environment where startups and established companies thrive. These programs have existed in the past - with a nanotechnology focus - but they were underutilized and eventually closed. 

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One other issue with the tech park is that, post-pandemic, many park employees continue remote work. This erodes the employment base to support Downtown Skokie businesses that depend on support from the daytime employment base in addition to Skokie residents. This needs to be examined and discussed with park management.

 

5) Rats. It turns out rats can carry bird flu, so there’s more reason than ever to keep the rat population under control. The Village has worked really hard on this issue, but it's an ongoing battle. What are your plans to keep the rat population in check? Is there anything on a policy level (e.g. access to problematic properties) that would be helpful? 

 

Rats are a persistent problem in Skokie, frustrating residents and business owners while posing serious health risks. The Village has made efforts to combat the issue, including hiring an outside vendor after years of in-house attempts. But with the problem ongoing, we must take a closer look at our approach and explore additional solutions.

 

As mayor, I will thoroughly examine the Village’s current rat control contract to ensure it’s delivering the necessary results. I’ll also bring in experts to assess our strategies, establish a community task force with members of the Skokie Board of Health and Sustainability Commission, and develop a comprehensive, results-driven plan.

 

Beyond local efforts, this issue may benefit from regional coordination. I will explore partnerships with neighboring communities to share resources and adopt innovative strategies proven effective elsewhere. To keep residents informed, I will also provide regular updates on progress.

 

The bottom line: We need a smarter, stronger, consistent approach to keep Skokie clean and safe. I’m committed to making that happen.