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Skokie honors longtime corporation counsel Michael Lorge at board meeting
Summary
The Village of Skokie held an extended public recognition for Corporation Counsel Michael Lorge, with residents, elected officials and colleagues praising his three decades of public service and presenting proclamations and awards.
The Village of Skokie board of trustees spent a significant portion of its May 6 meeting honoring Michael Lorge, who announced his retirement as the village’s corporation counsel after more than 13 years in that role and roughly 30 years in public service. Officials and residents delivered tributes, and the board presented a proclamation and ceremonial awards.
The event opened with a mayoral proclamation read on behalf of the village, listing Lorge’s career highlights: service in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, roles as an administrative law judge for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and long-term local posts that included village trustee, counsel to the Skokie Human Relations Commission and corporation counsel. The proclamation also cited his work on code amendments and amicus briefs on topics including immigration and gun safety.
Why it matters: board members and community leaders credited Lorge with shaping policies and projects across Skokie, including efforts on immigrant protections and economic development, and with mentoring local volunteers and officials. Multiple speakers said his departure will remove a source of “institutional knowledge” the village has relied on for decades.
Residents, municipal and state officials offered remarks before and during the proclamation portion of the meeting. Longtime Skokie resident Richard Perlin recalled Lorge’s encouragement to get involved in civic life. Alina Eliasoff, a 30-year resident, described Lorge’s mentorship while organizing the village folk arts festival. Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita and state lawmakers — including State Senator Laura Fine and several legislators who provided a joint resolution — praised his role in building partnerships across government and nonprofit sectors. Trustee Keith Robinson and Trustee Allison DeSloven thanked Lorge for legal guidance and mentorship to new trustees.
The board presented a formal proclamation and ceremonial gifts. Lorge also addressed the board later in the meeting during the corporation counsel’s report, thanking colleagues and noting the work of the counsel’s office. Several speakers urged the village to preserve continuity as the office transitions to new leadership.
No formal board action on legal or policy matters related to Lorge’s retirement was recorded at the meeting; the recognitions were ceremonial. The meeting minutes show multiple public comments and formal presentations in honor of Lorge before the agenda resumed.
