Skokie Trustee Named To North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Board

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Members of the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic board voted unanimously to appoint Skokie Village Trustee Khem Khoeun as the newest member of the Highland Park-based nonprofit.

When Khoeun was elected a Skokie Park District commissioner in 2017, she became the first Cambodian American woman elected to public office in the United States. Earlier this year, she became the first Asian American woman elected to the Skokie Village Board.

Khoeun, who works for a health care technology company, also served on the board of the Cambodian Association of Illinois and later became board president of the National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial.

In a statement announcing her appointment, Khoeun said supporting the legal aid clinic was especially important during difficult times.

“As a child of refugees who lives the immigrant journey, I bring experience, compassion, and authenticity. I recognize the challenges immigrant and refugee communities face and bring with me the voices of those often left behind,” Khoeun said. “I am humbled to join the board. It aligns with my work in championing a community that is often struggling on multiple fronts.”

Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, who founded the clinic in 2015 and serves as its board chair, welcomed the newest director to its board.

“Since we began expanding our service area, we’ve been able to significantly increase the number of people accessing our free, professional, and trusted legal services. This expansion has also allowed us the opportunity to broaden our board membership within north suburban Cook and Lake Counties,” Rotering said. “Khem will help us meet our Clinic goals thanks to her deep understanding of the challenges faced by those we serve and her connections within the Skokie community and beyond."