Caucus Announces Picks For Winnetka Village Trustee

WINNETKA, IL — The Winnetka Caucus Council last week announced its picks for village trustee in the upcoming municipal election. At an Oct. 23 meeting, the caucus endorsed two incumbent trustees and made its selection for its who it wants to succeed Trustee Anne Wedner, who said she does not intend to seek another term on the village council next year.

Wedner said she was humbled and honored to have had the opportunity to serve the village as a trustee and would "totally encourage others to do this kind of service." She said it was an exceptional experience to have worked with such competent village staff.

"They're so talented, and the village is in such good hands. It gives one so much faith in our democracy," she said. "It's truly uplifting to be a part of it."

Trustees John Swierk and Penny Lanphier were slated to run with the caucus' backing for their second and third consecutive terms on the council. Rob Apatoff was picked to serve a first term, and Ali Azam was selected as an alternate, according to the caucus' slating committee.

Swierk, the founder of a Crystal Lake-based architecture firm, served on zoning boards of the city of McHenry and McHenry County before being appointed to Winnetka's design and review board and later going to serve six years as chair. He has been a resident of the village since 2003 with his spouse, who was raised in Winnetka, according to candidate biographies provided by the caucus.

Lanphier previously served for two terms on the Winnetka Village Council in the 1990s, two terms on the Winnetka School District 36 Board in the 2000s and multiple stints on the Winnetka Caucus, according to her candidate biography. She has lived in Winnetka for 33 years.

Apatoff, the caucus' pick as a new addition to the village council, is a professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and executive director of the Kellogg Executive Leadership Institute, his biography said. He is also a senior adviser with Texas Pacific Group, a San Francisco-based private investment firm. He has been a village resident for 35 years.

Azim, who the caucus selected as an alternate for the open seat, has lived in Winnetka since 2016 and has children in Winnetka elementary schools. He is a managing director in Goldman Sachs' investment banking division.

The Winnetka Caucus Council also recommended several changes to its rules and two planks to be a part of its platform.

One called for village trustees to cooperate with boards and finance committees from other areas taxing authorities — school, park and library districts — about capital spending priorities.

The other recommended the Winnetka Village Council cut permit costs for rehabbing historic homes and "consider other options to preserve historic homes." The village's current preservation ordinance can only delay, not prevent, the demolition of historic homes even when designated as local landmarks.

The caucus is hosting village trustee candidates in a small group setting at a forum at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at Little Ricky's Rib Joint, 540 Lincoln Ave.

All village residents are also invited to the Caucus' fall town hall at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at Hubbard Woods School, 1110 Chatfield Road.

Attendees will have a chance to vote on candidate endorsements, the caucus' platform and amendments to its rules in what promises to be a "lively and productive meeting," according to the caucus.