Endorsements
of Gail
Chicago Area Peace Action
Chicago Area Peace Action, or CAPA, works to promote justice and peace by educating and mobilizing Chicago-area residents and students to promote human and planet oriented policies. CAPA's Climate Group was instrumental in the creation of Skokie’s Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission!
“Peace is Justice made Public.”
Citizen Action/Illinois
Citizen Action/Illinois is proud to support local progressive leaders across the state who are committed to advancing progressive values like supporting public education, protecting our environment, and welcoming immigrants.
Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization
Since 1944, the IVI-IPO has been dedicated to good government activism and an idealistic vision of open, honest government in Illinois through pragmatic means that confront cynicism and corruption with equal force.
James Johnson
Skokie Trustee
James Johnson currently serves as the first Independent Trustee ever to be elected to the Skokie Village Board. In 2022, James spearheaded the historic referendum campaign that updated our Village elections. Now, James is running for Village Clerk as an experienced educator and community organizer.
“Gail Schechter is, by far, the most qualified and experienced candidate to be one of Skokie’s next Trustees. She has a holistic vision for a welcoming community in Skokie, and she operates with incredible integrity.”
Scott Britton
Cook County Commissioner
Scott Britton is a lawyer and has served as an elected official for 23 years. He has served on the Glenview District 34 school board, Village of Glenview Board of Trustees and Cook County Board of Commissioners where he chairs the legislation and litigation committees and serves as board floor leader.
“I have known Gail for many years and she is a dedicated member of her community and has been very active in local issues and she will be a great addition to the Skokie Village Board. ”
Heather Ross
Family Formation Attorney and Northbrook Trustee
Maggie Vandermeer is a Skokie resident and mother who has organized locally around issues of equity, racial justice, anti-oppression, housing justice, and democracy in Skokie and the surrounding area.
“Gail Schechter was my go-to person as I advocated for an inclusionary affordable housing plan in Northbrook. Her expertise was invaluable, but what truly stood out was the time and dedication she invested—listening, advising, and providing support throughout the process. Her knowledge and unwavering commitment to affordable housing and smart policy making is truly inspiring. I enthusiastically endorse Gail Schechter!”
Clare Kelly
Council Member, Evanston
“Gail Schechter’s deep and unwavering commitment to those in need has made her a highly respected leader, expert, and advisor.
As a Council Member in Evanston, Gail has been my go-to resource when I navigate complex issues affecting our most vulnerable residents—whether they’re facing housing insecurity, discrimination, or other injustices. Her expert guidance and support has been invaluable
Gail played a key role in advising me on several important initiatives, including successfully amending Evanston’s Fair Housing Ordinance to provide greater and stronger protections against discrimination in housing.
I often cite H.O.M.E., where Gail serves as Executive Director, as a model for affordable housing. I have yet to see another affordable housing establishment run as beautifully, and with as much care, expertise, and effectiveness. Visiting a H.O.M.E. facility is witnessing firsthand Gail’s deep commitment to low-income seniors and her exceptional leadership in action. Gail’s effective and expert leadership at H.O.M.E. sets a high standard for elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and advocates alike as we work to expand and protect affordable housing.
I am profoundly grateful for her expertise, her dedication, and her deep commitment to serving our most vulnerable residents.”
Denyse Wang Stoneback
Former 16th District State Representative
Denyse Stoneback is a leading voice for bold and comprehensive change to reduce gun violence. Following the Sandy Hook school shooting, Denyse founded the nonprofit organization People for a Safer Society to reduce gun violence through education and awareness.
In 2020 she was elected state representative of the 16th District. During her time in the legislature, she introduced and passed a major bill to improve Illinois’ Firearms Restraining Order. She is known nationally for her knowledge and work on Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs).
As founder of the nonprofit Citizens for Ethical Campaigns, Denyse has worked to elevate the level of ethics in political campaigns in Illinois.
“I am honored to offer my enthusiastic endorsement of Gail for Skokie At-Large Trustee.
I have known Gail for a decade, and worked alongside her on issues of justice and equity where I witnessed firsthand her skill, integrity, dedication, and tireless efforts for the common good. As a community organizer and activist on everything from fair housing to fair wages, Gail’s positive impact on Skokie cannot be overstated.
Gail spearheaded The Justice Project: The March Continues, a campaign in which she guided community members in drafting Principles of a Welcoming Community and forming Justice Teams to promote local actions based on these principles. This initiative rewrote the narrative in many North Shore communities, fostering meaningful and lasting change on what it means to be a welcoming community.
Gail’s invaluable organizing around local electoral reform improved transparency and voter turnout, and ensured that voters would have a choice of candidates in Skokie’s local elections.
Gail leads by example, living her values. With persistence, skill, and a positive vision, Gail has demonstrated how to shape communities to live their values. As a Skokie Trustee, Gail will continue to bring lasting and meaningful change to the Skokie community. ”
Ilonka Ulrich
Former Skokie Village Trustee at Large
“I would like to formally endorse Gail Schechter for Trustee at large. I have proudly served as a Skokie Trustee for years and I know what it takes to successfully represent our beautiful community. Gail exemplifies the character, intelligence, grace and commitment we need in our elected officials.
I have come to know Gail personally due to our paths crossing in various community activities. While she is soft spoken, kind and altruistic, she is a fierce champion of Skokie. Gail is a remarkable listener, if you’ve met her, you know what I mean. You see her deeply reflect on your comments or concerns. She authentically cares.
I have no doubt, whatsoever, that Gail will see and protect the marginalized people in our village as she has already dedicated much of her life to serving the “other”. Know that her wide-angle perspective sees all of us on a very human scale. Her involvement in the conversations and deliberations over many issues like affordable housing has been a gift to our village and has moved us forward. She will continue to do what’s best for all Skokie residents and will keep a meticulous eye on the prioritizing and use of taxpayer dollars.
As a daughter of a 92-year-old mom, I know Gail will try to make life better for our elderly loved ones. With her compassion, I know she will listen to my mom and help our often overlooked senior population especially now, in this time of financial insecurity.
Gail will continue her work on climate change and sustainability at the local level, providing innovative ideas for preserving our planet. Gail will allocate her time between fostering the growth of our small businesses and managing larger projects, ensuring that new developments align with the values of our residents. I’ve listened to her ideas.
Gail will represent all of us. Please spend some time looking at her accomplishments and join me in supporting her. From day one, our village will be better with Gail’s representation. ”
Pam Smith
Co-founder with Gail of the Addie Wyatt Center for Nonviolence Training
“Gail is the real deal! A product of her Holocaust surviving family, she cares deeply about people and fairness. Her track-record speaks for itself! Count on Gail to be a smart, fearless, devoted change-maker who will work across boundaries to find creative solutions. ”
John P. Jacoby
Former Wilmette Village President
John Jacoby is a long-time resident of Wilmette who has actively participated in the civic life of the village, serving as Park District Commissioner (1979–1981), Village Trustee (1981–1989, 2004–2005), and Village President (1989–1997). Recently, he served as chair of the Village’s Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Task Force, and he is currently co-chair of the Sesquicentennial Planning Committee.
“...during the period when I was Wilmette’s Village President (1989 to 1997) ... Gail was the Executive Director of the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs and later of Open Communities. Then and now, Wilmette was pursing the goals of being a welcoming community and providing needed and affordable housing opportunities in the village.
Gail was a frequent presence at our village board meetings, advocating for measures that would further these goals. Advocates can sometimes hurt their cause by being strident and uncompromising. Gail, however, was reasoned and reasonable. We made progress together.
These are qualities that make for an excellent village trustee.”
Sherrilynn Bevel, PhD
Co-Founder and Associate Director Addie Wyatt Center for Nonviolence Training Chair, Board of Trustees Diversity Think Tank, Inc
Sherri is a political scientist who has engaged in human and community development for more than 30 years. Her work has included directing civic participation and democratization projects, providing technical support, and making presentations in the United States, East Africa, and Europe for universities and nongovernmental organizations.
“Since 2006, I have had the pleasure of getting to know Gail Schechter. In addition to her years of policy advocacy, community organizing and nonprofit leadership to create affordable housing, Gail has also used her extensive skill set to fulfill and advance the rights and needs of senior citizens. In addition to her regular work, time and again I have watched Gail cheerfully volunteer to serve young people in our community.
Gail is kind, patient and also, tough as nails. She does not back down or compromise on issues of justice, morality or the well-being of our youth and elders. She is detail-oriented and efficient, putting in hours of her time, or building relationships needed to get the job done. Gail is also a trained conflict resolution specialist. She paints big-tent visions that draw people together, by focusing on our common interests as citizens.
Lastly, she generously shares her conflict resolution skills and her knowledge of North Shore history. Her chapter in ‘The Chicago Freedom Movement: Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights Activism in the North’ (2016) is outstanding.
The Village of Skokie could not choose a finer Trustee. ”
Skokie Schools Equity Collaborative
“Gail Schechter has spent her life fighting to protect the rights of marginalized populations by effectively advocating for fair housing, tenant rights, immigrant rights, racial justice, disability rights, and public school funding reform.
As a grassroots organizer, she has led multiple people-powered movements in Skokie and the Northshore, working tirelessly to champion the inherent value of diversity and to open up communities to all, regardless of race, class, and religion. She has sponsored and secured funding for a Parent Mentor Program for immigrant parents in several Skokie elementary schools.
As a widely-recognized housing expert, she has repeatedly held Skokie’s government accountable to their obligation to provide fair housing for all protected classes, including children. Gail’s policy platform will have a direct, positive impact on Skokie children and their families, ensuring they can safely walk and bike to school, are securely housed, and are fully integrated in our community. Equity in schools means taking action to remove systemic barriers in schools and the broader community so that all children have what they need to thrive and learn.
With Gail in Village Hall, our kids will have an equity expert fighting for them. The Skokie Schools Equity Collaborative is proud to endorse Gail Schechter for At-Large Trustee.”
Maggie Vandermeer
Co-Founder of Skokie Schools Equity Collaborative
Maggie Vandermeer is a Skokie resident and mother who has organized locally around issues of equity, racial justice, anti-oppression, housing justice, and democracy in Skokie and the surrounding area.
“In my work as a community organizer in Skokie who cares deeply about equity and justice, I have found Gail at the heart of these efforts again and again, usually as a leader.
Gail has been fighting for vulnerable populations for decades and carries a wealth of historical knowledge about our local government as well as community efforts, past and present, to push for positive change. In her extensive body of work experience as an advocate for housing justice, she is not only incredibly knowledgeable about the complexities of integrating affordable housing into government policy in a way that benefits everyone, she is also an outside-the-box creative thinker who sees possibilities where others see barriers.
She has led the incredible movement for electoral reform in Skokie that opened up our elections and brought in a much larger and more diverse candidate pool. Instead of seeking power by falling in line with parties that have gatekept our local government for decades, she turned to a grassroots effort to strengthen our democracy and open up the chance to run for office, not just for herself, but for everyone. She leads Skokie Neighbors for Housing Justice and has been instrumental in fighting for Immigrant rights and racial justice.
Wherever people are doing good, you will find Gail. Currently, when local residents show up to Skokie Village Board meetings to urge our representatives to do the right thing — whether it’s about the environment or housing or democracy — the Board seems to put the interests of developers before residents. This is why we need Gail in our government. Not only does she listen, she is an inspiring, inclusive leader with an unwavering moral compass. I’m so excited to see what Skokie can do with Gail representing us.”
Noelle Sullivan
Skokie School District 68 Board Member
Noelle Sullivan serves as a board member of Skokie School District 68 and as a member of the governing board of Niles Township District for Special Education #807. A proud resident of Skokie since 2012, Noelle is also an anthropologist and a professor at Northwestern University, where she currently serves as the Director of the Program in Global Health Studies.
“She has a proven record of fighting for equity, bringing people together, calling for transparency in government, and treating people with respect. She’s been tireless in working for the greater public good.”
Margaret Sents
Margaret Sents is a League of Women Voters (LWV) of Glenview-Glencoe study group member for affordable housing.
“In the past couple of years, the Glenview LWV has undertaken a study of affordable housing in our community. Gail was invaluable in assisting us with comparing the inventory of such housing in Glenview as compared to Skokie and other surrounding communities. She gets the big picture.”
Bennett J. Johnson
Bennett J. Johnson is a community and civil rights activist who has organized for decades in the North Shore and the Chicagoland area.
“Gail Schechter has intellect, integrity, and over the top ability to serve the Skokie community.”
Andy Amend
Andy Amend has worked with Gail through many of her organizational pursuits.
“Gail is a person of integrity, honesty and humility. I really don’t know anyone with higher standards or trustworthiness. She treats every individual with equal respect and fairness. She would be a true asset to Skokie’s governance and reputation.”
Cindy Fey
Skokie Educator
Cindy Fey is a longtime educator of teens and adults, employed in Skokie.
“Gail Schechter has served Illinois communities selflessly, diligently, compassionately, and wisely for decades. She moved to Skokie with loving intention and I wholeheartedly endorse her for leadership of the village. ”
Everett Gutierrez Jr.
President of Legacy Leaders
Everett Gutierrez is the President and Founder of Legacy Leaders whose mission is to equip youth and adults with the tools to develop their maximum potential and become purposeful leaders in their communities and beyond.
“I am honored to endorse Gail as she steps forward to serve in elected office. Having worked alongside her on numerous projects, I have witnessed firsthand her unwavering commitment to creating sustainable, thriving communities. Gail has always taken a proactive approach, ensuring that real change happens by strategically collaborating with nonprofits, government agencies, and local leaders. Her leadership is marked by excellence, compassion, and a deep dedication to meaningful progress. She doesn’t just talk about making a difference—she puts in the work to make it happen. Our community is stronger because of her, and I have no doubt that her vision, integrity, and passion will continue to transform lives.”
Darlene Cannon
Community Activist Candidate for Second Ward Evanston
Darlene is a public servant and a community organizer in the 2nd Ward with a passion both for directly helping those in immediate need and for changing existing systems of power.
She was previously the Chair of the City of Evanston’s Equity and Empowerment Commission, the Citizens Network of Protection, CABG (Community Alliance for Better Government) and a board member of the Democratic Party of Evanston.
“I’m proud to endorse Gail Schechter for Skokie Trustee. Gail has been a lifelong advocate for fair housing, equity, and strong community engagement. Her leadership and dedication to social justice make her the right choice to ensure Skokie remains an inclusive and thriving community. I have no doubt that Gail will bring transparency, accountability, and a deep commitment to the people she serves. Skokie needs leaders like Gail—thoughtful, experienced, and ready to take action. I urge you to support her in this important election!”
Judy Mendel
Steering Committee Member, Skokie Alliance for Electoral Reform
Judy has lived in Skokie since 2001. She has worn many hats in her life, but she is proud of working with refugees and in non-profits, including helping get the Skokie Park District to lease land to The Talking Farm back in 2006.
She knew that something wasn't quite right in Skokie government when there was little discussion at board meetings and everyone voted in lock step. That was until James Johnson knocked on her door campaigning for Trustee and told her of his ideas for electoral reform. When James held meetings to explain his vision and get support, Judy joined the Steering Committee of that yet unnamed group, not even knowing how she would fit into a Steering Committee. That's where she met Gail — and the rest is history.
“I worked with Gail, who was Chair of the Skokie Alliance for Electoral Reform, on changing the electoral system in Skokie. It was hard work and we see the fruits of it in the number of candidates running this election. You can trust that Gail will be transparent and accountable. Gail will listen to everyone with the utmost respect, do her research, and make truly informed decisions. Gail is a consensus builder. Moreover, she has lived and advocated in Skokie for over 20 years and cares deeply about all its citizens.”
Trisha Connolly
Community Activist
Trisha is a resident of Evanston. She works with others to hold our local government accountable in areas of housing, worker rights, and the Evanston City budget.
“Gail has shared a wealth of experience regarding issues concerning housing and housing justice. She has decades of knowledge and has been engaged directly with people who have faced housing insecurity. I know that Gail will use her background to collaborate with other trustees and mayor to bring the people’s needs to the forefront. Gail has shown what she stands for time and time again. She will be a valued trustee for the people.”
Carrie Bradean
Carrie Bradean has lived in Skokie with her family for about 12 years and has been active in local organizing, particularly around issues of democracy, equity, and justice. Carrie is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice and was the co-chair of the Skokie Alliance for Electoral Reform with Gail Schechter.
“I have had the honor of working closely with Gail on multiple endeavors, particularly on electoral reforms, and I endorse her enthusiastically. In everything she does, Gail’s care for every person and community shines through. For decades, she has lived out her values of fostering unity in diversity, ensuring all voices are heard and valued, and working to create just, equitable systems. Gail has a wealth of knowledge and expertise that she will bring to the Village Board and is by far the most qualified candidate for at-large trustee. Gail will be an independent public servant, focused on listening to everyone, acting with transparency and honesty, and working to create the beloved community here in Skokie. ”
Lori Keenan
Lori Keenan is a longtime resident of Evanston.
“Gail is the most experienced and informed person on these issues — she really knows her stuff! As a longtime, very involved resident of Evanston, I’ve seen Gail in action on many important issues and only wish Evanston were lucky enough to have such a qualified, informed, and dedicated candidate as Gail running here! ”
Meleika Gardner
Civic Engagement & Legislative Advocate
“To my Skokie neighbors, although I don’t live in Skokie, I am proudly endorsing Gail Schechter for Skokie At-Large Trustee. Gail has been a guest on our show and has an incredible background in housing advocacy. She is thorough in her research and, more importantly, she takes action. Gail is a leader who genuinely cares about our community, and her dedication shines through her work. As a neighbor to Skokie, I’ve seen firsthand the difference a leader like her can make. Let’s support someone who is committed to continuing to make a real difference!”
Lisa Friedman
Retired Skokie District 73.5 teacher and resident since 1998
Lisa is a 26 year resident of Skokie. She was a teacher at Middleton Elementary until she retired and her son attended the Skokie school system from 2nd-12th grades.
“I have always been a supporter of all things Skokie. I love this community, but have known for quite a while that changes need to be made. I have known Gail for several years when I became involved in the Alliance for Electoral Reform. After hearing Gail’s ideas and hopes for Skokie, I am excited to support her for At-Large Trustee. ”
Tom Sahagian
Tom Sahagian is a longtime colleague of Gail’s.
“I’ve known Gail for more than 40 years. Her grasp of the issues, as well as her intelligence, integrity and empathy, are second to none and will serve her well if she is elected to serve the people of Skokie. We should all be so lucky to have the opportunity to vote for someone like her.”
Lori Haley
RN Case Manager
Resident Leader, Nathalie Salmon House, Chicago
“I have known Ms. Gail Schechter 3 1/2 years and I am pleased with her commitment and character. Upon our introduction and after a few minutes of conversation I realized she is very honest. She is the Director of H.O.M.E. and she has worked extensively with intergenerational housing for years and she is truly a housing advocate. Gail has dedicated the last 6 years to the community, seniors, and individuals facing challenges. Essentially, once Gaiĺ Schechter commits to a cause or endeavor she works diligently to meet the task. I endorse Gail Schechter for Trustee At-Large for Skokie.”
Constance Hatchett
Resident Leader, Nathalie Salmon House, Chicago
“Gail is a beautiful and caring person. She also is an great support of people’s in their journeys. Gail for leadership and trustee.”
Cynthia L. Harris
Community Leader, Chicago, IL
“Gail Schechter is one of the best persons you can ask for to be Village Trustee. She is ethical, dedicated, dependable and demands transparent in all she does. You won’t find a better candidate than Gail Schechter for Village of Skokie trustee.”
