Former Lake Forest Caucus Leader: 'Vote No' On Proposed Bylaw Changes

The following letter to the editor was submitted by Philip Arouca, former Lake Forest Caucus committee member and 2nd Ward chair. The views expressed are the author's own.

Under proposed changes to the Lake Forest Caucus bylaws, the Caucus committee is proposing to REVOKE your right to vote at two general meetings open to all registered voters in Lake Forest: the Annual Meeting where candidates are recommended for School Board, City Council, and Mayor; and the Spring Meeting, where Caucus Executive Officers are put forward. As a former Caucus Ward Chair, I’m urging Lake Foresters to ‘Vote Against’ the proposed bylaw changes on Tuesday, November 7th at Gorton Center.

I think we can all agree, Voting is a good thing, and we should always encourage community members to voice their opinion on who should serve on School Board or City Council. Voting has never been ceremonial and in proposing to eliminate two opportunities to Vote, the Caucus Committee’s indifference to the citizens they represent is on full display. In fact, it goes against the very fabric of a democratic society.

You may wonder why the Caucus matters. It matters because it plays a key role in identifying who sits on almost every community board and commission in Lake Forest, like School Board or City Council. These elected and unelected volunteers are the people who oversee our parks and recreation, approve new construction projects, and help plan long-term City development. They oversee our children’s education and craft ordinances to preserve our City’s natural resources. The Caucus committee’s job is to identify quality individuals to serve in these many roles. We as Lake Foresters benefit from their work because these individuals have been vetted and put through a qualification process…a community Vote.

During my (4) years on the Caucus committee we received consistent feedback that the Caucus was a closed-door group of insiders who lacked transparency and didn’t listen to the community. We made important changes to bring about a more open organization through diversified communication and better community engagement. However, after reading the proposed bylaw changes, I fear the Caucus is taking two steps back, choosing to insulate themselves from criticism and accountability while looking more favorably on the idea of operating like the Chicago machine of “whatever we say, goes.”

A community’s success is contingent on an involved citizenry and Lake Forest thrives from an endless supply of accomplished individuals who are civic minded in nature and when called upon to serve, coalesce around what is truly best for our city. Taking away our right to vote, thereby eliminating checks & balances, reduces transparency and accountability while consolidating power in the hands of a few. This is not what our city is about.

To borrow from the musical ‘Hamilton’, let’s all get to that “Room Where It Happens” on Tuesday, November 7th at Gorton Center. Take five minutes for democracy and VOTE AGAINST the bylaw changes. Vote now to preserve our right to vote in the future.

Philip Arouca
Fmr. Caucus Committee Member & Ward Chair - Ward 2 (2019 – 2023)