North Cook News

Village of Northbrook Committee of the Whole met Feb. 11

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. ROLL CALL 

Attendee Name Title Status 

Kathryn Ciesla Village President Present 

Robert Israel Trustee Present 

Heather Ross Trustee Present 

Johannah Hebl Trustee Present 

Daniel Pepoon Trustee Present 

Joy Ebhomielen Trustee Present 

Michelle Kohler Trustee Present 

Also Present: 

Village Manager, Cara Pavlicek 

Deputy Village Manager, Jim Hawkins 

Assistant to the Village Manager, Sam Reiss 

Communications Manager, Nicholas Glenn 

Deputy Fire Chief, Joel Eaton  

Village Attorney, Steve Elrod 

Michelle Maer, Tracy Kazan – Cancer Wellness Center 

Kathy Honeywell – North Shore Senior Center 

Steve Greene, Mina Zikri – Northbrook Symphony Orchestra 

Greg Davenport – North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic 

Utica J. Gray – CATCH 

Kathy Fielding, Karen Brownlee – NSYMCA 

Whitney Madeen – Youth Services 

Kerry Smith, Marcia Franklin, Meghan Rosenfeld – Hunger Resource Network Chris Northwick, Renee Dominguez – Family Service Center 

Edie Sue Sutker, Jennie Marble – JCFS Chicago 

Judy Hughes, Scott Thompson – Northbrook History Museum 

Matt Jaeger, Ron Bernardi, Brian Bruce, Sr. – Northbrook Veterans Center MK Barley Jenkins – Josselyn Center

2. MINUTES APPROVAL 

A. February 11, 2025 Committee of the Whole Minutes for Approval 

RESULT: APPROVED [6 – 0] 

MOVER: Robert Israel, Trustee 

SECONDER: Johannah Hebl, Trustee 

AYES: Israel, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon, Ebhomielen, Kohler 

NAYES: None 

ABSTAIN: Kathryn Ciesla, President  

ABSENT: None

3. DISCUSSION TOPICS 

A. Review of Annual Community Organization Contribution Requests and Appropriation 

President Ciesla opened the FY 2025/26 requests for charitable contributions to community not for-profit organizations that serve Northbrook residents.  

Assistant to the Village Manager Sam Reiss reported that more organizations submitted requests this year, and these requests total $564,217, an increase of $117,852.  

President Ciesla expressed gratitude to everyone for their commitment and the valuable services they offer to the community Each representative was given a few moments to summarize how a funding gift would enhance their services.  

CATCH: 

*FY25 Contribution: $2,625 

*FY26 Funding Request: $4,300 

Funding will allow CATCH to provide 550 incoming ninth graders with a coping kit for $6 each (525 student kits last year). CATCH would like to bring on board a coping kit manager using $1,000 for a stipend.  

70% of the students stated that the kit was useful and that the program should continue for incoming freshmen.  

Family Service Center: 

 *FY25 Contribution: $25,000 

 *FY26 Funding Request: $31,500 

The Township no longer provides funding for a Mongolian-speaking therapist, so one has been added at the Family Service Center. The Center serves about 15,000 individuals in the area, offering counseling for multi-lingual clients, crisis support, and community education. For the past  year, they conducted 850 sessions for Northbrook. They will be sending over more detailed information regarding the services available to Northbrook residents.

GBN Grad Night: 

*FY25 Contribution: $1,500 

*FY26 Funding Request: $2,500 

No representative was present. 

Hunger Resource Network: 

*FY25 Contribution: $5,000 

*FY26 Funding Request: $5,000 

Trustee Ebhomielen recused herself from a conversation regarding Hunger Resource Network and left the Board Room. 

No increase in funding was requested, as the organization is seeking the special Village Sticker funding. Last year, they distributed 160,000 lbs. of frozen chicken and currently have a waiting list of food pantries in need of products. The funds support those facing food insecurity, with 5,000  lbs. of chicken delivered to the Northbrook area. The charity employs just one paid staff member, while the rest of the staff consists of volunteers. Located in Sky Harbor, the employees handle all  the heavy lifting, and 15-20 high school students also volunteer their time. 

Josselyn: 

*FY25 Contribution: $137,500 

*FY26 Funding Request: $151,250 

Trustee Ebhomielen returned to the dais. 

Josselyn has experienced a 16% increase in clients and an 18% rise in service hours in Northbrook. They offer therapy, employment services, and psychiatry, with funding helping to  support these services. Josselyn provides a sliding scale for payments and accepts Medicaid. Their headquarters are based in Northbrook, where they served 174 residents in 2024, providing  nearly 3,500 service hours of mental healthcare—a 60% increase from the previous year. New cases are generally more complex, and a significant portion of their Northbrook clients are youths under 19. 

North Shore Senior Center: 

*FY25 Contribution: $7,500 

*FY26 Funding Request: $7,500 

The North Shore Senior Center primarily serves older adults, including approximately 1,600  Northbrook residents, or about 7% of the 23,000 total individuals they assist. They offer a free  transportation program for mobile adults, with a suggested $12 donation, and volunteers use their own vehicles. In the past year, 28 Northbrook residents received just under 100 rides.  

President Ciesla noted that Northbrook has a subsidized taxi program offering monetary coupons and pointed out that some of these services may overlap. She suggested that Village staff explore the possibility of establishing a contractual relationship with the North Shore Senior Center. 

Additionally, the Center helps individuals remain in their homes as long as possible by providing  comprehensive assessments and recommending relevant programs and services. They also offer screenings for long-term care facilities and provide valuable information on community resources.

North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic 

*FY25 Contribution: $10,000 

*FY26 Funding Request: $10,000 

The North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic provides free legal services to low-income individuals. They typically handle 12-28 Northbrook cases annually and are currently focused on several complex immigration cases. Over the past six months, NSLAC presented 100 immigration-related presentations. With a staff of just under 50, this marks their 10th anniversary year. Most zip codes generate 10-15 cases per year, while the top five zip codes see over 60 cases annually. Last year, Northbrook had nearly 40 cases, though the number can fluctuate from year to year. 

Northbrook Historical Society 

*FY25 Contribution: $25,000 

*FY26 Funding Request: $25,000 

The Historical Society has transitioned all of its content to digital formats and is currently working  on rebranding. They collaborate with the entire Village and offer community service hours through a partnership with the Police Department. The organization operates as an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 

TotalLink2 

*FY25 Contribution: $15,000 

*FY26 Funding Request: $16,000 

The organization is seeking support for their community inclusion initiatives, which provide social opportunities for individuals with disabilities. They serve 100 people annually, with 25 of them from Northbrook. These opportunities are not only for individuals with disabilities but also encourage the general population to see and engage with people with special needs as active participants in  the community. 

Northbrook Symphony 

*FY25 Contribution: $0 

*FY26 Funding Request: $15,000 

The Northbrook Symphony hosts five concerts each year, along with one family concert. The requested donation would help support the family concert for the 2025-26 season. They have collaborated with other organizations, including the Northbrook Historical Society last year. The  Symphony is close to resolving a tax issue and is in the process of applying for reinstatement of  their tax-exempt status. No funding was provided to the Symphony for the previous year. 

JCFS Chicago 

*New Applicant 

*FY26 Funding Request: $25,000 

Their focus is on assessing children ages 3 and up for learning disorders, and they collaborate with seven preschools for early intervention. The screenings they offer are not state-funded. Approximately 40-60% of their services come from an early intervention program. They also have an outpatient behavioral program that serves individuals of all ages, from early childhood to the elderly, accepting Medicaid and providing integrated pediatric services.

Located on Revere Drive in Northbrook, they offer a program called *Disruptive Behaviors* to help  parents work with their challenging children. The grants they receive help offset the costs of these services. JCFS will gather and submit more detailed data on the numbers served. The  organization supports over 21,000 families, with 54 families served in Northbrook. 

Trustee Israel inquired if there is any overlap with services provided by other agencies. The  organization noted that it provides another entry point for the community and appointments for counseling are typically available quickly. 

Cancer Wellness Center 

*New Applicant 

*FY26 Funding Request: $50,000 

The Cancer Wellness Center served 174 Northbrook residents this past year, providing over 2,000 service hours. Northbrook represents 10% of their total participant numbers. They’ve seen a 58% increase in participants compared to the previous year. All services are offered free of charge and  cover the full spectrum from diagnosis through treatment and beyond, including mental health and bereavement support. The center is exploring alternative fundraising methods due to the rapid  increase in demand for their services. As cancer rates and the need for mental health support continue to rise, many individuals are seeking additional oncology experts. 

NSYMCA 

*New Applicant 

*FY26 Funding Request: $10,000 

The NSYMCA is seeking support for two charitable programs: 

• Café Boca – A free coffee bar run by the special needs group at the YMCA. The participants prepare coffee and develop soft skills, helping them become more employable. 

• Balance Strong, Live Long – This program addresses the impact of falls on the over-65  population, which can be costly and life-changing. The YMCA offers free smart living  programs at locations including Crestwood Place, The Lodge, Covenant Living, NSYMCA, and the North Shore Senior Center. 

Youth Services 

*FY25 Funding Request: $157,237 

*FY26 Funding Request: $161,167 

Youth Services has a strong presence in local schools, providing onsite counseling and a variety of programs. This year, they served 1,500 individuals, with 30% of them being Northbrook residents. Their services include mental health counseling, an English Language Learners Group, crisis response, educational workshops, and after-school and summer programming. They provided $454,000 in mental health subsidies this year, marking a 63% increase from the previous year. This funding boost has allowed them to serve an additional 20 Northbrook residents, and they've expanded their clinical capacity, increasing their presence in Northbrook schools. 

Ms. Vaccaro shared that she works closely with many of these organizations, both directly and indirectly, often referring individuals to them. She and her staff have observed a significant rise in mental health needs across a broad age range, from 3 to 95 years old. She encounters issues  such as loneliness, depression, homelessness, and the onset of chronic mental illness. Her office handles 3-4 emergencies per week. Services are provided until cases are picked up by one of the  agencies mentioned earlier. 

President Ciesla suggested that staff explore partnerships with agencies that work with the Police Department. She proposed considering a contractual relationship with these organizations to manage costs and establish clear expectations for FY 2026. 

B. Review Annual Requests to Designate a Special Vehicle Sticker 

Staff has suggested that the cost of the vehicle sticker may not justify the revenue it generates, and the Board is considering eliminating it. This issue will be discussed further at a later date, but it will not affect this year’s sticker. 

The Village is home to approximately 900 veterans, and the Veterans' Center of Northbrook is seeking funding from the Village Sticker program. While they represent a small group, they are dedicated to reaching out to local veterans and providing support. This is the first time they have requested Village funds, and they are driven by a mission of veterans helping veterans. 

The Hunger Resource Network is also seeking Special Vehicle Sticker funds. Now in their 16th year of serving the food insecure, the funding would help promote their mission to combat hunger  in the community and raise awareness about volunteer opportunities. Last year, they packed 4,209 student food packs and provided 32,000 meals. 

Trustee Hebl encouraged the presenters to consider volunteer and summer job opportunities for  local high school students. 

President Ciesla concluded the meeting by stating that the Board would meet to review the charitable funding allocations. The budget will be adopted in the first week of April, and the approved amounts will be included in the upcoming year’s budget. 

4. REMARKS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER - None 

5. CLOSED SESSION – None  

6. ADJOURN

RESULT: ADJOURN AT 7:30 P.M. [6 – 0] 

MOVER: Daniel Pepoon, Trustee 

SECONDER: Heather Ross, Trustee 

AYES: Israel, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon, Ebhomielen, Kohler 

NAYES: None 

ABSTAIN: Kathryn Ciesla, President 

ABSENT: None

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