Michelle Kohler: 2025 Candidate For Northbrook Trustee

NORTHBROOK, IL — Ahead of the April 1 consolidated municipal elections, Northbrook Patch provided questionnaires to all municipal candidates on the ballot.

For three seats on the Northbrook Village Board, two current trustees - Joy Ebhomielen and Michelle Kohler - are running for reelection. Both candidates are part of the Northbrook Caucus of 2025. Also vying for a four-year term are Matt Cassidy (Northbrook Caucus of 2025), Laura Hochstein, Anthony Riccardi and Charles Zivin. Hochstein, Riccardi and Zivin are part of Northbrook Focused 2025.
Northbrook Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Michelle Kohler

Age: 51

Town/City of Residence: Northbrook

Office Sought: Village Board trustee

Campaign website: https://www.northbrookcaucus.o...

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race): Northbrook Caucus

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

No

Education: BA Northwestern University

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

Nearly 30 years of experience in marketing and business strategy.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Currently, I am a Northbrook Village Trustee and previously I was the District 28 School Board Vice President and a Member. I also serve as a Cook County Women’s Commissioner for the 14th district, appointed by Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton.

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

I think the most pressing issues facing our Board are two-fold. I joined the board just over a year ago and many of our discussions have been about economic development. The Village has leaned into developing economic incentives (4Bs, sales tax rebates, TIFs, etc.) and business-friendly practices (like zoning variances and the speed at which the Village turns around permits) that help to set the stage for economic development with restaurants, retailers, and car dealers. These businesses add to the vitality of the Village and contribute to the sales taxes that we rely on to help fund Village operations, two key strategic goals. In addition, the Village has begun to sketch out an incentive plan for many of our smaller businesses that are looking for an economic boost to expand, renovate, or modernize their businesses.

Beyond the mid and small business environment, the Village continues to be focused on Northbrook Court’s development and our partnership with Northbrook Court’s owners, Brookfield Properties. Prior to my joining the Board, a very rich incentive package composed of approximately $90 million was offered to Brookfield to help close the gap on the funding needed to develop the mixed retail plan that they laid out in Dec. 2023. Because of the last several years of high interest rates for construction loans and inflation that affects the cost of building materials, as well as a challenging retail environment, Brookfield asked the Board for flexibility to move forward on the residential/mixed use portion of the property either first or concurrently with the retail. As Brookfield explained, momentum would help get the $850 million project moving, so we gave the company that flexibility. There has been some concern about impact on schools, but it should be noted that the Village has already accounted for this and the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District will support the schools first and incentive dollars are tied to the progress of retail.

In my opinion, the second priority for the Village is to focus on upgrading our infrastructure for both facilities and operations. In the area of facilities, the Village has plans underway to build a new fire station, police station, and public works facility. These buildings have all outlived their useful lives and both our first responders and public works staff need facilities that will make their jobs easier so that they can keep Northbrook safe and well-supported. We also are leaning into physical improvements within the Village with new digital water meters. Not only can these be read remotely, but they will also enable residents to track water usage from an app. For anyone who has had a running toilet or a leak, being able to catch those issues quickly is so important.

Additionally, in the area of infrastructure, we have operational efficiencies underway. This includes a complete refresh of a zoning code last comprehensively reviewed in the ‘80s, and an ERP system that will move the village away from time-consuming paper-driven processes

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Experience and knowledge of Village government is our #1 differentiator. Our opponents are long on promises, but short on real plans and know-how to execute them, having never served in municipal government or on any commission. I also have great concerns about the temperament they have shown on the campaign trail. Working with global developers like Brookfield (owners of Northbrook Court), businesses, residents and Village staff requires a calm and steady hand, not bombast. Much of what the Village does requires cooperation between other units of government, private businesses, and residents. Explosive Facebook posts and assigning blame to people unsupported by fact is not the kind of collaborative environment that will bring these important things before the Village over the finish line.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Our platform also includes:

- Strong Financial Stewardship of Taxpayer Dollars - The Village has strong finances and we intend to keep it that way while also investing in the things the community needs and wants.
- Downtown Vibrancy - Residents have long complained that the downtown lacks the draw it has in many other communities. The Board recently approved new streetscaping to expand outdoor dining and refresh the look of our downtown. A loan was also approved for Hometown, a restaurant with huge traffic that will bring many new patrons into our downtown. Additionally, our slate remains committed to a downtown master plan, improved parking and wayfinding signage, events, density, and working with the Chamber and businesses to generate new ideas and monitor their impact.
- Services - We want the Village to be easy to do business with and continue to offer residents a safe, beautiful, and well-maintained community. This means focusing on the well-being of Village staff so we can keep the best and brightest, as well as ensuring they have what they need to do their jobs well.
- Community Connections - While the Village has many public transparent ways of learning about what we are working on, the loss of a local media landscape has made it harder for residents to tap into the news of the day. We remain committed to finding new ways of sharing information with the public, as well as soliciting input, that helps bridge the gap left by local media. This can include surveys, special meetings, focus groups, online videos, social media, and a renewed focus on our newsletter.
- Climate Action Plan - We continue to focus on ways in which the Village can reduce its environmental impact. Specifically, our slate will continue to look for opportunities like our new fire, police, and public works buildings to be built with environmental friendly design in mind.

I spent 8 years on the District 28 school board managing COVID, curriculum changes, and staff changes. While at D28, our staff turned on a dime to provide both an in person and remote academy when all but a handful of schools turned to some form of remote learning for all students. I have been a part of government that can move quickly and effectively when partnering with staff.

Why should voters trust you?

Ask around. I think you will find that most people who know me from my work in the community know that I am a straight shooter and someone who will consider other positions. I also have changed my mind when presented with new information and am willing to be proven wrong. Most importantly, I am willing to listen to people and I take in a lot of information before making a decision. My only goal is to do what is best for the community.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

I really want to see smart and sustainable growth for Northbrook. I also want to honor the character of the community and make sure this is done with foresight and care so that the community retains the parts that we all love.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I am committed to maintain the financial stability that has been the hallmark of the village for many years. I am supportive of smart investments that will provide solid returns for the residents for many years to come. While the Village is a small portion of the property tax bill, I will seek to keep the Village portion of the property taxes low.

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town?

The crime rate, particularly violent crime, is fortunately very low in our community. The Village Board can help ensure this continues by carrying through on building a new police station, as well as investing in a well-equipped and well-trained police force. I stand ready to support these at the Board level.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development?

I have talked about this at length above.

When it comes to development, what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents? What will need to be done to make this happen?

See previous answers

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” - Jimi Hendrix
Listen deeply and always be curious because that is where the growth and learning happens. And if you are always talking, you aren’t listening.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I simply want what is best for Northbrook and to help the Village continue to be the wonderful place it is now and far into the future.