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Residents urge community support amid national uncertainty, offer local steps to help neighbors
Summary
Two Morton Grove residents used public comment to urge neighbors and trustees to foster community solidarity amid federal policy changes and local uncertainty, suggesting concrete neighbor-to-neighbor support.
Two Morton Grove residents addressed the board during the public comment period on Feb. 11, urging local efforts to support neighbors amid national policy changes they said have created anxiety for families.
Samina Hussain and Kim Moldofsky spoke together, identifying themselves as Morton Grove residents, and described concerns they say have arisen after recent federal actions. They said some neighbors worry about immigration enforcement, the security of undocumented students, potential changes to health-care supports such as Medicaid, and new limits on grant overhead that could affect local research and health-care institutions. Hussain said families in the village are "being left in limbo" as federal orders and court actions unfold.
The speakers emphasized local, practical steps residents can take: check on elderly or homebound neighbors, invite new neighbors to informal gatherings, help with errands and clothing, and leave notes or small gestures to build community. Moldofsky and Hussain said these neighborhood actions can reduce isolation and fear in uncertain times. Trustee comments afterward thanked them and characterized them as positive examples of community engagement.
Why it matters: public comment signaled local concern over national policy shifts and highlighted residents' interest in neighborhood-level, nonpolicy responses by neighbors and trustees to support vulnerable community members.
What came next: trustees thanked the speakers and the meeting moved to adjournment; no formal board action was taken on the matters raised.
