Politics & Government
Tennes Projected To Win Skokie Mayor Race
Election day has come and gone in Skokie and unofficial election results show Ann Tennes as the Mayoral race winner.
SKOKIE, IL — Election Day has come and gone in Skokie and unofficial results for the 2025 mayoral race show Ann Tennes as the projected winner.
Three candidates ran for the mayor's seat, which was held by current Mayor George Van Dusen since 1999. With Van Dusen not seeking reelection, on Tuesday, Skokie voters cast their votes for Charles Isho, Ann Tennes or David "Azi" Lifsics for mayor.
This will mark the first time the village has voted for a new mayor in 26 years.
Find out what's happening in Skokiefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
As of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Cook County Clerk's Office was reporting 1,427 out of 1,430 precincts. Voter turnout this election was 16.92 percent, according to election officials, with 286,013 ballots cast out of 1,690,660 registered voters in Cook County.
In Skokie, all 38 precincts had reported by 9:30 p.m. and voter turn out was at 25.88 percent, with 12,047 ballots cast out of 46,554 registered voters in the village.
Find out what's happening in Skokiefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Note that election results below are unofficial.
| Candidate name | Votes | Percent |
| Charles Isho | 1,480 | 12.38 |
| David "Azi" Lifsics | 4,547 | 38.05 |
| Ann Tennes | 5,924 | 49.57 |
Tennes, a former Skokie communications director, and Lifsics, an attorney, spoke with Patch about key issues in Skokie. Isho did not respond to an interview request from Patch and hasn't attended any public forums. No profiles or interviews with Isho are available online.
See related:
Village Budget and Fiscal Policy
Local Crime
Tennes: "To ensure a safe community, Police Department staffing levels must continue to be examined to ensure that staffing is adequate for both superior public safety and a work environment that attracts and retains quality public safety staff."
Lifsics: "Skokie has a top-tier police department, and we must ensure officers have the funding, training, and equipment necessary to do their jobs effectively."
Isho: "I am committed to work together with law enforcement, to prioritize the safety of our schools and neighborhoods. A secure environment is essential for families and businesses to prosper."
Commercial and Residential Development
Tennes: "It is essential that the Village create an economic development plan for the community. This plan would address how to shore up businesses in all sectors and neighborhoods of Skokie so that the Village has a set plan to support and increase economic growth."
Lifsics: "Skokie has done an admirable job balancing growth with maintaining the character of our community. However, as we look to the future, we must ensure that development is intentional, sustainable, and serves the long-term interests of residents and businesses alike."
Isho: "Attracting businesses to Skokie is key to increasing revenue, reducing taxes on residents and creating more jobs for our community. I will focus on making Skokie a hub for thriving businesses while ensuring economic growth benefits everyone."
Rat Problem
Tennes: "Reviewing the Village’s approach to rodent abatement. It’s clear to residents and business owners that more is needed to get this problem under control. As mayor, I will pursue regional and innovative approaches to the issue."
Lifsics: According to Lifsics' campaign website, if elected he plans to restore twice-a-week garbage collection to reduce the rat population, improve sanitation and improve the quality of life for Skokie residents.
Isho: "I will work with residents to keep Skokie's streets and alleys clean, tackling rodent problems and ensuring a healthy, welcoming village. A clean environment is a vital part of a thriving community."
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