Skokie Village Hall is seeking 16 high-schoolers for its new Youth Commission

An array of residents, working professionals and field experts have come to populate more than a dozen Village of Skokie commissions. 

Together they oversee everything from planned developments and public safety reports to the village’s stormwater quality, farmers market series and neighborhood block parties. 

Soon, a group of 16 teenagers will serve on Skokie’s newest commission, one that will serve as an “advisory and action-oriented body” to elevate the voices of young people and shape “policies, programs and initiatives that reflect their priorities,” according to village documents. 

The Village Board voted unanimously on March 2 to establish a Youth Commission, which, besides its village staff liaison, will entirely feature teens from local high schools who will meet bimonthly on one-year terms, starting this August. 

“I firmly believe that one of the most important duties of elected officials is to uplift our young people. When youth have the opportunity to contribute their unique perspectives, experiences and ideas, the entire community benefits,” Mayor Ann Tennes said in an email. 

During the Village Board’s Feb. 17 meeting, Trustee Kimani Levy asked how the Youth Commission, similar to Skokie’s other commissions, will reflect a diverse range of people from different backgrounds. 

Alex Franz, assistant to the village manager, said staff designed the commission to have 16 members so, in theory, two from each of Skokie’s three public high schools and four private high schools could join. 

Franz said staff will also reach out to the Skokie Park District, the Skokie Public Library, the Niles Township Youth Coalition, faith-based organizations and other groups for potential recruitment.

The young members of the commission will ultimately apply online, interview with the Tennes and, if appointed by the mayor, earn final approval from the Village Board. If the village gets more than 16 applicants, then staff may contact those extra youths next year to apply. 

The only adult on the commission will be Annmarie Milazzo-Benuzzi, a youth outreach coordinator with Skokie’s Department of Human Services. 

“What I’m most excited about this news and this opportunity is that this would allow them to hopefully become civically engaged and maybe an elected official one day,” Trustee Keith Robinson said during the Feb. 17 board meeting.  “So I think it takes a little bit of the fear, confusion, mystery, whatever students may have, and let them know exactly how this thing works, because it is complicated.”

Among other goals, the ordinance establishing the commission states that it aims to create “structured avenues” for youth to provide feedback and recommendations on village policies and “foster partnerships” with schools and local groups to support youth-led initiatives.

The commission will meet six times a year — in August, October, December, February, April and June — in line with the school calendar.

“I think this is a great idea, and as a parent of a Niles West student, I have received information about how students who go through high school can qualify for the National Honors Society, and part of that is participating in sports or a requirement is a school club,” said Tom Whitaker during the February board meeting’s public comment section. 

“And the youth that participate in this, I would hope that would qualify towards that application of that society.”

Tennes assured that village staff would work with local schools to make sure that’s possible.

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