Introducing the Skokie Community Caucus

The Skokie Community Caucus (SCC), a newly established organization dedicated to community engagement, is currently working to identify and showcase individuals who are gathering signatures for the positions of mayor, trustee, and clerk within the Skokie government, in preparation for the consolidated election scheduled for April 2025.

The Skokie Community Caucus (SCC) was established to enhance residents' understanding and awareness of candidates running for municipal positions in Skokie. Furthermore, the SCC utilizes social media platforms to disseminate the agenda of the Board of Trustees, report on their actions, and promote local community events. Jeff Burman, chairperson of the SCC, stated, “Similar to the BAR Association's ratings of judges on the ballot, the SCC will serve the community by being a convenient resource for information about candidates that will help voters make informed choices as to the most suitable candidates.”

The centerpiece of the organization is the independent and impartial community screening committee. This committee will consist of representatives from the four electoral districts, selected through an application process to reduce bias. Their primary responsibility will be to thoroughly evaluate the candidates listed on the ballot. Functioning akin to a firewall, the SCC Board and organization membership do not engage in the endorsement decision-making or approval process. Bob Quane, a board member stated, “The screening committee will invite official candidates on the ballot to participate in a formal, transparent, and fair review process, and will recommend the most qualified candidates to the community, independent of the SCC board.”

The SCC was started by a group of reform-minded individuals from the Skokie Caucus Party, which was dissolved in January 2024 in response to the electoral changes in Skokie. The SCC functions as a nonpartisan political action committee (PAC), emphasizes transparency and ethical practices in local political matters, and does not recruit, slate, or manage candidates' campaigns.

The SCC advocates for term limits and prohibits village employees from participating on the board or committees, highlighting its aim to prevent the accumulation of excessive influence and to encourage both turnover and diversity in leadership positions.

The SCC invites community members to collaborate and join our effort to empower Skokie residents to have a positive impact on the governance of their community. To learn more about the Skokie Community Caucus and to visit our candidate resource and voter pages, go to www.skokiecommunitycaucus.com