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Agenda for
Economic Development Commission
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
4:30 P.M.
Location: Village Hall, 5127 Oakton, Conference Room D & E
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER / DECLARATION OF QUORUM
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM March 18, 2026
IV. OLD BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
a. Green Business Program Second cohort - Discussion
b. 2026-2029 Strategic Plan - Review
c. Economic Vitality Strategy Update Process - Discussion
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT (3 minutes per person)
VII. COMMUNICATIONS
a. Village Staff
b. EDC Members
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the Economic Development Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, May
20, 2026 at 4:30 P.M. at Village Hall, Conference Rooms D+E
Individuals with questions or feedback about an agenda item may contact Rodney Tonelli with the
Economic Vitality Division by calling 847-933-8446 or by emailing publiccomments@skokie.org. All
emails and comments submitted will be made public and shared with this body.
The Village, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requests that persons with disabilities
who require certain accommodations to allow them to observe or participate in this hearing, or who have
questions about the accessibility of the meeting facilities, contact the Village’s ADA coordinator Angel
Schnur at angel.schnur@skokie.org or 847.933.8400.
Document Number: 639142

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Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes
Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Location: Oakton College, 7701 Lincoln Avenue
EDC MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Rosen, Nathan Norman, Marc Battista,
Maegan Akers, Thomas Dammrich, Eugene
Salganik, Kristina Perez-Thomas
EDC MEMBERS ABSENT: Jeremy Gleason, Brian Levinson, Steve Franklin,
Lynn Nolan
STAFF PRESENT: Rodney Tonelli, Economic Vitality Manager
OTHERS PRESENT: Trustee Iverson (Board Liaison), Madeleine
England (DSMC representative), Dr. Jesse Ivory
(Oakton College), Larry Greenberg (Public
Member)
I. CALL TO ORDER
A quorum being present, Vice Chair Norman called the meeting to order at 4:45 PM.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendance was recorded, noting that Chair Rosen was delayed by traffic. New Commissioner
Perez-Thomas was introduced.
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM January 21, 2026
Commissioner Akers made a motion to approve the draft minutes from the January 21, 2026
meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Dammrich and passed by unanimous voice
vote.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
V. NEW BUSINESS
Economic Vitality Strategy focus area: Workforce Development
Dr. Jesse Ivory, Asst. VP at Oakton College presented on a number of the programs, mission and
capacities of the College relative to workforce development, training and partnerships with
employers.
Chair Rosen arrived.
Document Number: 639151

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Commissioners discussed and ask questions ranging across a breath of workforce related topics
including life-sciences programs, technical certificates, funding impacts and technology impacts.
Discussion continue and included dialogue on entrepreneurship services, potential incubator
ideas, employee retention and health care training. Trustee Iverson complemented the College
regarding the CNA training program and the impact it had in a personal way.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
Larry Greenberg commented positively on the College’s technical programs and spoke against
community colleges pursuing four-year degree status.
VII. COMMUNICATIONS
Tonelli reminded Commission members of the next EDC meeting.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioners were offered a tour of the training labs at the College. A motion to adjourn from
the tour was made by Commissioner Norman and a second from Commissioner Salganik. The
motion was unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned upon conclusion of the tour.
Respectfully submitted, Rod Tonelli, Economic Vitality Manager
Document Number: 639151