New Member, Ward Chairs & Bylaws Progress

lfcaucusweb
Apr 25
2 min read

We’re excited to share a few important updates as we continue our work together this year.

Welcome, Johanna DeYoung – Ward 4

Please join us in welcoming Johanna DeYoung, who has joined the Caucus Committee to fill a vacancy in Ward 4. We’re thrilled to have Johanna on board and look forward to her contributions to the team.

Announcing Ward Chairs for 2025–26

We’re pleased to share the Ward Chairs who will help lead and support the Committee during the 2025–26 Caucus year:

Ward 1: Desiree Witte
Ward 2: Scott Nehls
Ward 3: Larry Obermeyer
Ward 4: Gene Cartwright

Thank you to each of these individuals for stepping into these important leadership roles. You can see the full Caucus Committee and learn more about them here.

Bylaws Update

The Caucus Committee met on April 22nd to continue our work reviewing and revising the Bylaws. The Executive Committee has also met several times over the past few weeks to discuss these issues. To help move discussions forward, the Committee has focused on areas where there is agreement with the Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendations. This approach allows us to make meaningful progress while helping our newer members get up to speed.

Out of the Ad Hoc Committee's 29 total recommendations, the Caucus Committee has come to agreement on approximately half of the items so far.

While this marks encouraging progress, we have several key issues that will require additional discussion and deliberation within the Caucus Committee. The Caucus Committee and Executive Committee have meetings scheduled every week over the next month to continue to work towards resolution of the issues. These topics will be the primary focus of our discussions during our next meeting on April 29th and in May as we work toward a comprehensive and thoughtful path forward.

We appreciate everyone’s engagement as we move the Caucus forward.

Support the Caucus

The Lake Forest Caucus is a 100% community-supported organization. We rely solely on contributions from residents to continue our work. Your donation helps us:

Maintain essential operations, including meeting spaces at Gorton Center and necessary technology tools.
Revamp our bylaws, ensuring they address past concerns and reflect the needs of the community.
Explore online voting, a frequently requested initiative to increase accessibility and participation.
Expand community outreach, driving awareness, engagement, and involvement in the Caucus process.

Every donation, whether $5 or $50, directly supports the work of the Caucus and helps us continue our mission.

Donate Now!

To contribute, you can or send a check payable to “Lake Forest Caucus” at: 736 N. Western Ave, Suite 256, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Please note: Contributions are reported to the Illinois State Board of Elections and are not tax-deductible. If you have any questions about giving, we encourage you to reach out.

Thank you for your support.