Skokie mayor withdraws Temkin nomination after public objections; board approves remaining appointments

Mayor Ann Tennis withdrew the nomination of Matt Temkin to the Skokie Police Use-of-Force Review Board during the Village of Skokie board meeting on Aug. 18, 2025, saying she was removing the name to allow time for further consideration. The board then voted to confirm the remaining slate of appointments.

The issue drew a lengthy public discussion and more than a half-dozen public commenters who debated whether social‑media posts and statements about foreign policy should factor into local board appointments. Trustee Schechter said she was “deeply disappointed that we have wavered from our own process,” describing the appointments effort as intended to expand civic engagement after recent electoral reforms.

Supporters of Temkin told the board his criticisms of policing and his volunteer work qualify him for the review board. “Criticism needs to be heard, when it’s warranted,” said Matt Jarvis, a Skokie resident who urged the board to include voices that are critical of policing. Matt Temkin addressed the board in person and said his nomination was withdrawn after complaints from “two individuals who are known bigots,” and argued that his views on Israel and Palestine should not disqualify him from an advisory role on local police oversight.

Opponents raised concerns about impartiality and past conduct. Helen Levinson, a 20‑year Skokie resident and a board member of Awake Illinois, told the board Temkin’s public record showed “consistent bias” and that his approach had hampered collaboration when he previously served on a school resource officer task force.

After public comment the board voted on the remaining appointments. The clerk called the roll; trustees Iverson, Lisa Levy, Pierce Slobin, Schechter, Kimani Levy and Robinson voted aye and the motion passed. Mayor Tennis said she took no joy in the decision to change the order of appointments and invited continued conversation and future applications.

The board limited public input on the appointment agenda item to five speakers and later held a separate public‑comment period for additional speakers on other topics. The meeting record shows a high level of community engagement on the appointments process, including references by trustees to more than 50 volunteer applicants and a desire among some trustees to return Temkin’s nomination to consideration.

No formal policy change was adopted at the meeting; the mayor’s withdrawal of Temkin’s nomination was an administrative action taken during the appointments item and the remaining slate of appointees was approved by roll‑call vote.