Northbrook Village President Kathryn L. Ciesla offered a second State of the Village Address during Ciesla’s term as president. The Jan. 25 address was delivered in person and this time at the Northbrook Public Library.
Last year’s address, the first for Ciesla as village president, was virtual. On Wednesday morning, attendees were treated to a continental breakfast provided by Sunset Foods for the meet and greet portion. A multimedia presentation by Ciesla followed in the library’s newer auditorium.
Presented annually by the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this year’s free event accommodated registrants who were residents and Northbrook business owners. In previous years, the State of the Village Address was an in-person paid meal format.
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The State of the Village Address is, “is a way to bring the community, the business community and our chamber members together to hear about what’s going on, because it’s important for the businesses here to keep up with what’s happening,” said Kathi Quinn, the chamber’s executive director.
“Residents can go to the monthly meetings but the business owners don’t always get the chance so this is an opportunity for them to know what’s happening, what we’re doing going forward and how they can be a part of it, so it’s very important,” Quinn said.
“We love the collaborative effort that the village is making to include the business community and the residents.”
Ciesla, wearing bright red shoes and matching jacket, often pointed to the auditorium’s large screen where the overhead projected slides of what’s in the now and what’s to come. Ciesla spoke for over a half-hour.
“People are entitled to know, right? It’s all about access,” Ciesla said to Pioneer Press shortly before presenting on stage.
“This is the people’s government so it’s really important for people to have access.
“In fact, that’s why I asked the chamber to host this not at a luncheon where people have to pay, but just an event where people can come for free and participate, you know, not just businesses but residents, so it’s really more open,” Ciesla said. “And I feel that’s really important.”
Surprise reveals included True North, the Village of Northbrook’s new logo using the color green. People applauded when Ciesla got to that slide. “Thrive Here” is economic development driven. Coming are new message graphics on street signage, swag and on village literature such as the newsletter.
Ciesla said all this is, “tremendously important.”
“It was about green,” Ciesla added, about what designers responded to regarding feedback about color preference. “We’ve been using our corporate seal forever.
“The goal will be to transition to this logo … this kind of brand,” Ciesla told the audience.
“True North signifies a direction,” Ciesla said. “Pride in the community.”
Ciesla recognized first responders who acted to save lives and assisted families in crisis.
“I get to brag about them,” Ciesla said proudly about Northbrook’s first responders.
Ciesla also spoke of local green initiatives and economic development at Northbrook Court.
“We have to do everything in our power to preserve that mall,” Ciesla said. “We have been working very, very hard with Northbrook Court.”
A new mixed use retail and rental housing development is coming to 1657 Shermer Road. The former Grainger site will accommodate affordable housing.
“Good things get done,” Ciesla said. “We want downtown vibrancy.”
The former Green Acres Country Club site on the 900 block of Dundee Road is up for consideration by the board.
The proposal to include permanent open space along a senior living facility there is, “tremendous,” said Ciesla, who added the public will be able to access what was private golf course land.
In the audience were several Northbrook village trustees. Northbrook Police Chief Christopher Kennedy and other uniformed police officers attended. There were elected, hired or appointed officials plus nonprofit organization leadership.
Shiva Mohsenzadeh of Glenview, Northfield Township supervisor, said attending the address as a community event, “is very important.
“Northbrook is obviously in the township and I really care about what’s happening in Northbrook.”
As of January, more than 1,000 households throughout Glenview, Northbrook and Northfield in Northfield Township use the Northfield Township Food Pantry.
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“As far as the township goes, we don’t want to duplicate services, we want to enhance services and expand them,” Mohsenzadeh said.
Molly Hamer, Northbrook Park District executive director, said, “I appreciate the opportunity to be here at the library.
“I think this is a great venue for this,” Hamer said. “I feel like there’s a lot of access to the community to hear what our president has to say.
“Anytime we have an opportunity to hear from leadership, it’s something that we should embrace,” Hamer added.
“I’m certainly excited about the future for our village.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.