Author Archives: LF Caucus Admin

Notz 2023 Term Summary

Finance Committee

Review and recommend funding for all operational priorities of the City, including but not limited to the Annual Operating Budget, Annual Appropriation Ordinance, Annual Tax Levy Ordinance, and other policies and procedures applicable to the financial health and systems of the City.

Highlights include two significant bond refinancings that had the City’s investment grade credit rating reaffirmed, helping the City continue providing high quality services to its residents as cost effectively as possible.

Public Works Committee

Works with City staff to provide guidance, oversight and recommendations to city council that concern maintaining and enhancing infrastructure, facilities and equipment, following the City’s Capital Improvement Program, Capital Equipment Program, existing ordinances and fiscal policies while minimizing disruption to residents and communicating with them.

Significant recent public works projects include stormwater mitigation across the City (particularly North Western Avenue and Deer Path Road), creating artificial turf playing fields behind Deer Path Middle School, stabilizing Forest Park Beach’s bluff, entering into expense sharing agreement with State of Illinois that allows the City to take better care of Route 60 and Waukegan Road during the Winter and maximizing grant programs to reduce City taxpayer burden of infrastructure costs.

Property and Public Land Committee

Assess City’s inventory of land, buildings and related improvements to determine whether enhancement, disposal or acquisition of public lands, buildings and other assets of the City is warranted, in a manner that serves the public interest, protects the health and safety of the community, enhances the quality of life, and preserves the character and traditions of community.

Highlights include the acquisition of the Joytime pre-school property, allowing the City to expand West Park while protecting integral underground infrastructure.

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Patch article by Caucus Secretary Dale Tauke

Long time ward 2 resident and current secretary of the Lake Forest Caucus, Dale Tauke, recently penned an article about the Lake Forest Caucus and the Caucus Committee for the Patch.  It highlights the structure of the Caucus and Caucus Committee, the mission of the Caucus, and how you can get involved if you are interested in joining the Caucus Committee, serving the city of Lake Forest in various positions, or simply subscribing to the newsletter to stay informed of what’s happening with the Caucus.  Check it out at the link below.  It’s a quick and extremely informative read!

https://patch.com/illinois/lakeforest/lake-forest-caucus-new-year-september-26-open-call-meeting-nodx

 

Novit 2023 Term Summary

Finance Committee August 2022 to Present

  • Reviewed and recommend funding for all operational priorities of the City, including but not limited to the Annual Operating Budget, Annual Appropriation Ordinance, Annual Tax Levy Ordinance, and other policies and procedures applicable to the financial health and systems of the City.

Public Works Committee August 2022 to May 2023

  • The committee meets as needed (usually once a month or more) to review projects being presented to the Council for consideration. Much effort is put into the presentation of these projects and committee members meet with the Public Works Department Staff members to review and approve each project.
  • Financial impact is one of the areas assessed in approving the specific projects, and the committee members regularly review its inventory of land, buildings and related improvements to determine whether enhancement or disposal of assets are appropriate as well as to determine whether acquisition of additional assets is in the public interest.
  • The City Council also has a responsibility to manage and utilize public lands, buildings and other assets of the City in a manner that serves the public interest, protects the health and safety of the community, enhances the quality of life, and preserves the character and traditions of community.

Environmental Sustainability Committee June 2023 to present

  • Since joining, I have supported committee’s initiatives specifically helping with the launch of the voluntary curbside recycling program and encouraging schools and businesses to join in.
  • Discussing the addition of recycling bins where there are public trash cans
  • Other initiatives to support Lake Forest’s position as a Sustainable Community

Legal Committee Liaison for City Council June 2023 to present

  • Attended quarterly meetings and weighed in when asked about pending legal matters before the City
  • Senior Resource Commission Liaison for City Council
  • Attended bi-monthly meetings and provided information to City Council regarding the pending matters before the Commission.

Community Engagement

  • Attended community events to show support including the Lake Forest Day parade and carnival, Coffee with the Alderman, Town Hall Meetings

Timely email and phone responses and follow-ups to residents’ inquiries on issues and or requests

Prepared for and attended bi-weekly City Council meetings

<< Back to Meet our 2023 Alderman Candidates

Meet our 2023 Alderman Candidates

Lake Forest residents will have candidates for Alderman in all four Wards in the March 19, 2024 General Primary Election.  The Caucus Committee vetted, voted for, and supported the incumbent candidates before endorsing them for their prior and current terms and again reviewed, interviewed, and voted to endorse these same three candidates for another term in Wards 1, 2 and 4.  A new candidate will be vetted and endorsed in both Wards 1 and 3.  The candidate ratification vote will be taken during the Caucus Annual Meeting on November 7. Cast your vote for the endorsed candidates in the municipal election on March 19. 2024.  Early voting begins on February 8, 2024.

First Term

Ward 1 - Pete Clemens

Ward 3 - Alice LeVert

Incumbents

Ward 1 - Nancy Novit (2nd Term Election)

Ward 2 - Ted Notz (3rd Term Election)

Ward 4 - Eileen Looby Weber (3rd Term Election)

Pete Clemens, Ward 1

Pete Clemens is a 30-year resident of Lake Forest and has lived in three of the city’s four Wards. Pete grew up in Minneapolis, MN and moved to Lake Forest following graduation from University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Business with Bachelor of Science business degree in 1971. Pete joined American Hospital Supply and moved to Lake Forest following graduation. Pete had a successful career in healthcare as a senior manager at American Hospital Supply, Baxter International, Becton-Dickinson and Company, Dade-Behring, Inc and BioGenex Laboratories. His responsibilities included Corporate Contracts and National Accounts, Channel Management/Supply Chain and Operations. Pete served on the Manufacturer’s Board of the Health Industry Distributors Association.

After a year in Lake Forest Pete relocated to the Eastern US in 1972 and then to the West Coast following Baxter Heathcare’s acquisition of American Hospital Supply. In 1993 with his wife Nancy and young son Chase, he moved back to Lake Forest. Chase graduated from the Lake Forest Country Day School, Lake Forest High School and Miami University, Farmer Business School in 2017. Nancy currently serves on multiple community boards including Lake Forest Open Lands and Infant Welfare Society.

Pete is currently in his second term on the Zoning Board of Appeals and for the past 5 years has served on the LFHS Foundation Executive Committee as Vice-Chair for the Business Incubator Program. The Business Incubator is a popular college level elective honors class for juniors and seniors. Pete coordinates the recruiting and vetting of the 35 local businesspeople who work in class with student teams throughout the school year. Pete served on the Lake Forest Caucus from ’13-’18 as Communications Chair, Vice President and President. Pete was an Asst. Scoutmaster for Lake Forest Troop 46 where he was an Eagle Scout mentor and the Fundraiser Chair. Pete also co-chaired a major capital campaign for St. James Church and served as Church Council President. He co-chaired with Nancy the Lake Forest Open Lands Bagpipes and Bonfire fundraiser in 2018.

Alice LeVert, Ward 3

Alice LeVert is a 30 year resident of Ward 3 in Lake Forest.  Alice graduated from Miami University, Oxford, OH with two Bachelor of Arts degrees and has an Executive MBA from The University of Notre Dame.

Alice has had a successful career as a Global Sales Executive, Sales Manager and National Account Manager and General Manager for Fortune 100 and a Fortune 500 global technology companies.

Alice has served on the Lake Forest School District 67 Board of Education since 2017 serving as Vice President, Secretary, Legislative Liaison, Chairman of Finance and Operations, as well as participating on the Education and Policy committees.  She has attended national, state and regional conferences on behalf of District 67.

Alice also volunteers as a Minister of Care for the Church of St. Mary and the Lake Forest Hospital Pastoral Care team.

Alice and her husband Tim have two sons and continue to enjoy all that Lake Forest has to offer.  She looks forward to representing Ward 3 and all those who call Lake Forest home.

Nancy Petrick Novit, Ward 1

Nancy Petrick Novit has been practicing law since 1986. She graduated from St. Lawrence University, and earned her Juris Doctor from University of Illinois Chicago in 1986. She worked as an Assistant Public Defender from 1986 – 1990 in the Office of the Cook County Public Defender. In 1990, she founded Novit & Novit LLC with her husband, focusing on real estate, business, and trusts and estates law. Today, Nancy is a general practice attorney.

Nancy will complete her first term as a Ward 1 Alderman, having been elected in August 2022. During her first year -- August 2022 to May 2023-- on the Council, she served on the Public Works Committee and the Finance Committee. She continues serving on the Finance Committee and has added the Environmental Sustainability Committee, Liaison to the Legal Committee and Liaison to the Senior Resource Commission during the current service year – June 2023 to May 2024.

Prior to serving on City Council, Nancy served for six years on Lake Forest's Zoning Board of Appeals, completing her term in July 2022. In this position she streamlined the approval process for homeowners to make changes to their properties. Now homeowners start with the Zoning Board so any required variances are defined prior to design input before petitioners go to the Historic Preservation Commission or Building Review (if applicable) for approvals. Prior to this, homeowners often had to go back multiple times before various boards.

Nancy and her husband Kent moved into Ward 1 with their two young daughters 31 years ago. Nancy served on the First Presbyterian Preschool Board, was on numerous District 67 and 115 committees, volunteered with Ragdale, Infant Welfare Society, I Have a Dream of North Chicago, The History Center of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, as well as Lake Forest Open Lands and the League of Women Voters of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff. Nancy helped keep the Gorton Center open and running when financial concerns threatened to shut it down in 2010. She helped analyze and change the financial structure, program efficiencies, leases and room rental agreements to help return Gorton to financial stability.

Nancy has thoroughly enjoyed meeting Ward 1 residents and greeting familiar faces. She is happy to help those in Ward 1 address matters concerning the City. She is excited to continue collaborating with her fellow City Council members to continue building upon the City’s long history of strong fiscal management and community engagement.

Edward “Ted” U. Notz Jr, Ward 2

Edward “Ted” U. Notz Jr. has served as Ward 2 Alderman since October 2019, when he was nominated by the Caucus and appointed by City Council to complete the remaining term of a vacating seat. With the Caucus’s support to continue serving as Ward 2 Alderman, Ted was elected for two, full terms in 2020 and 2022. He deeply appreciates his long-standing relationship with the Caucus and looks forward to earning it once again for the 2024 campaign to serve the third and final two-year term he is eligible for. He is grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the community on City Council, where he is committed to helping preserve the unique characteristics that make Lake Forest the special place it is, while balancing that with an eye to making sure the City remains relevant and viable, attracting residents and business into the future.

Ted is a lifelong resident of Lake Forest, going through both District 67 and 115 before earning his BA from Denison University and MBA from DePaul University. Ted and his wife, Tiffany Edwards, also a lifelong resident, moved back to Lake Forest in 1998, where they raised their two, now-adult children. In the years since, he has remained actively involved serving the community through various boards and commissions, including Building Review Board (Chairman), Zoning Board of Appeals, Lake County Community Foundation, Lake Forest Caucus, Historic Preservation Foundation and First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest (Elder and Deacon).

Professionally, Ted has spent his career in the commercial real estate industry, both on the financing and development side. Today, he is a senior relationship manager with Associated Bank, providing project, fund and corporate financing to institutional real estate companies across the country.

Ted deeply appreciates the invaluable contributions Caucus, city staff, and resident volunteers make to ensure Lake Forest functions effectively and efficiently, preserving the cherished characteristics of the community while making sure it is positioned to be relevant into the future.

Eileen Looby Weber was born and raised in Lake Forest. She pursued a bachelor’s degree in Horticultural Production and Marketing at Purdue University. It was her love of flowers and working with people that led Eileen to join the family business, Lake Forest Flowers. She earned an MBA at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management while continuing to manage the business.

As a member of the Society of American Florists and American Academy of Floriculture, Eileen teaches hands-on floral workshops and demonstrations at Elawa Farm, Dickinson Hall, and many North Shore Park District Garden Clubs. She began her City Council Role in 2020 after serving on the Cemetery Commission, Waukegan Road/Settler’s Square & Route 60 Corridor Working Groups. Eileen chair’s the Civic Beautification Committee, Environmental Sustainability Committee and is a member of the Finance, Public Works, and PPL committees.

She is an active volunteer for the Church and School of St. Mary, a member of the Junior Garden Club of Lake Forest and Purdue Agriculture Alumni Board of Directors.  Her past volunteer service includes the LF-LB Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Past President of the Lake Forest Caucus, Past President of the Amberley Woods Condominium Association and Board Member/Committee Chair of Carmel Catholic High School Board of Directors.

Eileen and her husband, Brian, have two sons, Michael and Edward. When not at the flower shop, you can find her gardening, playing golf, or with her boys in the community she adores.

Q & A with Joe Waldeck

Aneeqa Aqeel, Caucus Committee External Communications Chair, had a conversation with Joe Waldeck, Ward 1 Interim Alderman.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your connection to the Lake Forest community. 

I was born in Cleveland, Ohio and am one of 8 siblings, 3 of whom were born in Lake Forest. My father worked with Arthur Andersen and had to travel for work a lot. He came out for a project to Skokie, and we ended up moving to Lake Forest in 1957, due to his continued work obligations after surveying neighboring towns.  We used to live in a small house on E. Westminster Avenue, opposite the Church of the Holy Spirit. After a few years, my parents purchased a home here and we made long-lasting friendships with the families in town. Back then, Lake Forest used to be a small place, with no stop signals on the roads and almost everything in walking distance. My father was a big believer in giving back and in public service. He instilled that value in us and demonstrated it in his own life, serving as Mayor of Lake Forest from 1978 to 1981.  

I attended Marquette University and moved away for work. It was my marriage to Cathy who was born and raised in Lake Forest that brought me back here, where we have lived ever since.  It is an honor and privilege to serve this community that we really love. 

Please share with us your prior history of volunteerism and any professional experience relevant to your appointment as interim Alderman for Ward 1. 

I was appointed as Associate Judge in Lake County in 1995. I served until 2014 and during that time was prohibited by the Code of Judicial Conduct in Illinois from taking any public service positions in the Caucus or City government.  After retirement from the bench, I was appointed to the Lake County Bar Foundation Board, and also served on the Judicial Selection and Retention Committee for about 5 years.  I then served on the Gorton Center Board of Directors and on the Legal Committee for the City of Lake Forest, for which I also served as Chair. My wife and I have been longtime supporters and active on the Board of A Safe Place, which fulfills a mission very close to our hearts.  In May 2022 I was called back to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court, where I served until year’s end, giving up all other board positions per the Judicial Code of Conduct. 

What do you love about Lake Forest and what do you see as the defining strengths of our community? 

When you come to Lake Forest, it does something to you. It’s got the great beaches, the facilities, the wonderful houses, but really, it’s got the best people in the world. It’s a community in the true sense of the word, where everyone is involved and there are open forums to share ideas and work for the things we are passionate about, be it historical preservation or moving the city forward while preserving its historical character for our future generations. 

The Caucus is a strength of the community and every resident here is a member of the Caucus! The work that the Caucus does to help vet people for our Boards and Commissions is of essential importance. Most people in other communities don’t know who their mayor is or how many aldermen they have. They do not have any means of vetting people for unelected positions. 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve what my wife and I believe is one of the greatest communities in the United States, faithfully, honorably, and with great dedication. The future of the City lies with young families who love this community and are willing to dedicate their time to serving it!

9/26 – Open Call for Interested Residents

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Open Call for Interested Residents at Gorton Center from 7-8pm.

Open Call for Interested Residents is an opportunity for residents of Lake Forest to meet their Caucus Committee ward representatives to discuss:

  • opportunities to volunteer within the City,
  • the Lake Forest Caucus Committee, and
  • the Caucus system.

We are “volunteers seeking volunteers” and encourage the public participation in the Caucus Committee and across the boards and commissions of the City. We welcome all residents to complete a Volunteer Profile Sheet (from the Volunteer menu, select Create New VPS). This allows us to quickly identify citizens who are interested in serving in elected or appointed positions.

The open call meeting will be held at Gorton Center (400 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest, IL 60045).

 

2023 Caucus Season

The Lake Forest Caucus, now entering its 89th season, has a busy year ahead! We will be strengthening various Caucus Committee operational processes, including interviewing and bylaws, as well as recommending new City Council members for Ward 1 and 3 and Mayor-appointed positions to City boards and commissions.

Elected positions

  • City Council Ward 1
  • City Council Ward 3

Appointed positions

  • Audit Committee
  • Legal Committee
  • Plan Commission

If interested in volunteering, please fill out a Volunteer Profile Sheet.

2023 Spring Meeting UPDATE

Tuesday, April 18, 2023
7-8pm at Gorton Center

Thank you to the 200+ people who attended the Caucus Spring Meeting.  We would also like to thank the Gorton Center for brilliantly handling such a large turn-out.  This strong community engagement benefits Lake Forest and the Caucus.  Past Spring Meetings have typically drawn no community attendees or in the low single digits.  The Caucus Committee hopes this level of engagement continues in the 2023-24 Caucus year.

Agenda

  • President’s Report – David Hunt, Caucus President, presented an update on Caucus Committee activities, including City Boards and Commissions appointment recommendations.
  • Treasurer’s Report – Joe Oriti, Caucus Treasurer, provided an update on the financial condition of the Caucus.
  • 2023-2024 Caucus Officer Slate election.  Chris Benes, Caucus Vice President, introduced the 2023-2024 Caucus Officer Slate, which was confirmed by a vote of 139 FOR.  For transparency, there were 70 Write-In NO votes.

2023-24 Caucus Committee Officer Slate

We’re pleased to present the following Caucus Committee Members for the 2023-24 Caucus Committee Officer Slate.

Each of these individuals has the requisite skills and experiences to capably serve the Caucus Committee and residents of Lake Forest in their respective roles.  As Caucus Committee Members, they have consistently executed their duties in a non-partisan manner to advance the mission of the Caucus Committee to identify, vet, and recommend Lake Forest residents to serve on city boards and commissions and elected positions.  They have a deep understanding of Caucus Committee processes and knowledge of Lake Forest boards, commissions, and elected positions and are committed to serving the community in the 2023-24 Caucus Committee year.

  • President – Chris Benes (Committee Member since 2020, one term as Internal Communications, one term as Vice President)
  • Vice President – Joe Oriti (Committee Member since 2021, one term as Treasurer)
  • Treasurer – Fred Brewer (Committee Member since 2022)
  • Secretary – Dale Tauke (Committee Member since 2022)
  • Fundraising – Cindy Davidson (Committee Member since 2022)
  • External Communications – S. Aneeqa Aqeel (Committee Member since 2021, one term as External Communications)
  • Internal Communications – Steve Ratay (Committee Member since 2021, one term as Internal Communications)