Board approves proclamations, appointments and consent agenda; moves into closed session on pending litigation

The Village Board on May 13 approved multiple proclamations, confirmed several appointments, approved the consent agenda and briefly adjourned to closed session to discuss litigation.

Proclamations and approvals: Trustees approved proclamations recognizing the fiftieth season of the Oak Park Farmers Market, Jewish American Heritage Month, Asian American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Desi Heritage Month, and Older Americans Month (including a local Celebrating Seniors Week May 8–15, 2025). Trustee Jim Taglia read the Farmers Market proclamation and the board recorded unanimous "Aye" votes on the proclamations. The Farmers Market proclamation recognized the market’s five decades of operation, SNAP acceptance and local vendor and volunteer contributions. The board thanked members of the Farmers Market Commission in attendance.

Appointments and consent agenda: The board consented to appointments including Linda Francis and Melissa Avia to the Aging and Communities Commission, Sheena Rayford as chair and Wayne Wong as a member of the Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee, Jessica Green as chair of the Farmers Market Commission, and Jeffrey Hines as a member of the Liquor Control Review Board. The consent agenda was approved by roll call; Clerk Waters recorded yes votes from Trustees Straw, Wesley, Enya, Taglia and President Skam(m)an.

Closed-session motion: Earlier in the meeting the board voted to adjourn to closed session "pursuant to 5 ILCS 100 and twentytwo C 11 to discuss litigation against the village which has been filed and is pending before a court or administrator tribunal." That motion was moved and seconded; the roll call recorded yes votes from Trustee Taglia, Trustee Enya, Trustee Wesley and President Skam(m)an.

Other highlights and recognitions: The board introduced several Neighborhood Services staff, recognized volunteers and partner organizations (including Housing Forward and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church) for winter warming-center support, and acknowledged the recent passing of community leader Mary Ann Brown, founder and longtime director of Hephzibah Children’s Association; the president read a proclamation in her memory.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to adjourn to closed session to discuss pending litigation pursuant to cited statutory authority: moved; roll call recorded yes votes by Taglia, Enya, Wesley and President Skam(m)an; outcome: approved and closed session held. - Proclamation: Oak Park Farmers Market fiftieth season: motioned and seconded; outcome: approved (unanimous voice vote). - Proclamation: Jewish American Heritage Month (May 2025): motioned and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Proclamation: Asian American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Desi Heritage Month (May 2025): motioned and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Proclamation: Older Americans Month / Celebrating Seniors Week (May 8–15, 2025): motioned and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Appointments (consent agenda): multiple appointments listed on the record; consent agenda approved by roll call (Trustees Straw, Wesley, Enya, Taglia, President Skam(m)an recorded as "Yes"); outcome: approved.

Why it matters: Proclamations and appointments are routine municipal business that set local priorities and recognize community organizations; the closed-session vote invoked statutory authority to discuss pending litigation. The village also used the meeting to introduce staff and recognize volunteer partners for social-service efforts.