Meet Lissa Levy: Candidate For Skokie Trustee, District 3

SKOKIE, IL — Lissa Levy is running for Trustee in Skokie's third district in the April 1 election.

Levy currently works as a food stylist and said she was inspired to run for office after hearing about the insights, struggles hopes and visions of her fellow Skokie residents. She is running for District 3 Trustee unopposed.

Learn more about Levy and her goals for Skokie:

Age (as of Election day)

45

Campaign website

www.LissaLovesSkokie.com

Education

BA, Theatre Arts, AA Culinary Arts

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

Transparency, equitable taxation, ability to access Village services, environmental sustainability, and affordable housing.

I intend to increase Village transparency by communicating with residents and business owners in a proactive manner. I would seek to equalize the tax burden throughout the Village so that no district is disproportionately taxed. I would like to overhaul the public outreach so that it is easier and more streamlined to do business in the Village: apply for permits, obtain inspections, standardize application processes, etc. I intend to adhere to the Environmental Sustainability Plan passed by the Village. I will require that all new developments include our minimum of 7% affordable units, and seek to find ways to increase housing affordability in rehab and re-development projects.

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

I am running unopposed, as I suspect that I accurately reflect the needs of my district and the community knows me to be a steadfast guardian of their interests.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

Skokie residents voted to create four voting districts to each be represented by a dedicated Trustee. This is the first election in which this new change is taking place. Each of the four District Trustee positions are new.

The challenges of the current Board are that they do not accurately represent the will of the residents of Skokie. Given the recent debacles with Carvana, Old Orchard, the unfinished downtown hotel, and other failures of leadership, we need to right the course of Skokie governance. The current Board has failed to maintain vibrant commercial areas beyond Old Orchard Shopping Center, support small business owners, maintain vital aging infrastructure, respond to the concerns of residents in certain districts, and to create a culture of transparency.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I'm focused on giving a voice to those historically underrepresented in Skokie and to solving problems in a collaborative, open, respectful, and environmentally sustainable way. I would like to approach governance with the needs of the people in mind, meaning that I will support initiatives that increase public transportation, improve our schools, reimagine the economic drivers of the Village, and deliver vital public health services.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My entire career has been focused on working collaboratively on various projects with a team comprised of an array of talents, vision, ability, and practical skills. Working alongside people with competing views that require resolution is at the heart of every project.

I deeply care about my community as evidenced by founding and running Meetup on Main, a volunteer-powered, grassroots collective that brings economic development to blighted areas. Our flagship Summer event series is free to the public and provides a venue for residents, businesses, community groups, and others to come together and get to know each other. It is through this activism that has made the Main Street redevelopments possible and has begun to transform an area that had been in disrepair for over 30 years. Meetup on Main is a framework that can be replicated anywhere and I hope to bring the principles to other neighborhoods that need public attention.

Why should voters trust you?

My track record of problem-solving, dedication to my community, and thoughtful dialogue speaks for itself. As the only person running unopposed in this election, I have made it a point to reach out to all of my fellow candidates by offering free notarial services to anyone running for office. I aim to prove that good governance includes developing and maintaining productive professional relationships not only with those who also serve, but with Village staff, residents, business owners, and the public at large.

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

Success in serving means that we will have given voice to our residents, protected the rights of our community as they face uncertainty from the national stage, developed better supports for our small businesses, stabilized the uneven taxation base, started long-term projects for affordable housing (including sustainable infrastructure like increased bike lanes, pedestrian-friendly walking paths, access to electric vehicle charging stations, etc.), and increased resident engagement in the Village.

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

We need to make sure that our expenditures reflect our values. Looking at the budget, we should be finding ways to allocate funds into projects that will have lasting, positive returns for decades to come. People don't love paying taxes, especially when those taxes don't offer the supports and services needed. We must shift away from a top-down approach to spending and invest in projects, infrastructure, and services that reflect community needs. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather an approach that centers the people who live here and their needs.

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?

Skokie's crime rate is fairly low. That said, the best way to fight crime is to combat it at the source. This means that resources spent on education, libraries, park district programs, food assistance, housing assistance, and mental health supports can go a very long way in reducing crime.

Additionally, we need to make sure that the Police have the tools and resources needed while also funding projects that are shown to reduce crime and lessen the burden on officers. Social workers, mental health professionals, violence interrupters, and other satellite professionals can lighten the load on officers, allowing them to be able to respond to calls efficiently and with as little negative impact on the community as possible.

I support sensible gun laws and a ban on semi-automatic firearms within the Village.

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

As mentioned in previous questions, the Village Board has a sad track record of disinvestment in small businesses and new housing construction that matches the needs of the community.

My view is that the Village Board should seek to serve the needs of residents and small business owners who live and work here. We need to have a consistent, streamlined approach to business development and tools/resources/personnel to shepherd people throughout the process of opening a business and keeping a business open.

We need to have housing policies that reflect our diversity- socially, economically, and culturally. Therefore, we must be looking to residential development in many ways. Single-family homes, yes, but also multi-family units that are affordable, mixed-used developments that provide a human-scale lifestyle (not vehicle dependent), affordable rental units, etc.

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?

The vast majority of the feedback I hear is a desire for walkable streets, local businesses, and improved public transportation, all with environmental sustainability in mind. That said, we need to seriously reexamine the zoning in Skokie to eliminate some of the barriers to building projects that are overwhelmingly popular within the community. But this is also a multi-pronged approach. As with any enormous undertaking, it's imperative that we keep the voices, needs, and concerns of the public in mind.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Don't take advice from anyone you don't respect.

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

I intend to be accessible and open to hearing their voices, ideas, frustrations, and concerns. I will stand behind the decisions I make and am available to respectfully discuss our differences.