Northbrook Village Board candidates prioritize economic development efforts

Three candidates for the Northbrook Village Board participated in a forum on March 16, discussing key economic development issues. The forum took place at the Northbrook Public Library and was organized by the League of Women Voters Glenview/Glencoe. Candidates included current trustees Joy Ebhomielen and Michelle Kohler, along with newcomer Matt Cassidy. Only three out of six candidates running for the Village Board attended this event. Ebhomielen noted that a similar forum was not held for village president candidates because challenger Josha Kaplan did not participate. The other trustee candidates, Laura Hochstein, Anthony Riccardi, and Charles Zivin, were absent as well. The candidates discussed what they believe are Northbrook's most pressing needs. Ebhomielen emphasized the importance of developing the downtown area, mentioning ongoing efforts to attract new businesses and activities. Kohler highlighted the need to modernize infrastructure and improve the village's reputation to bring in more companies. Cassidy spoke about a tax increment financing district aimed at revitalizing Northbrook Court. Affordable housing was also a topic of discussion. Currently, only 5.7% of Northbrook's housing meets the state’s affordable housing requirement of 10%. Cassidy and Ebhomielen supported a recently approved 48-unit affordable housing complex. Kohler mentioned that the village is working with a non-profit on creating land trusts to develop more affordable housing using funds from the village’s housing ordinance.