Morton Grove proclaims Earth Hour; board appoints new community and Plan Commission members

Mayor Janine Whitcomb read a proclamation designating March 28, 2026, as Earth Hour in Morton Grove and recommended that residents and businesses voluntarily turn off nonessential lights from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

"Now, therefore, I, Janine Whitcomb, mayor of the village of Morton Grove, do hereby proclaim 03/28/2026 as Earth Hour in Morton Grove," the mayor said while reading the proclamation, which cited potential energy savings and origins of the Earth Hour movement.

Georgianne Bruner, chair of the Environmental Natural Resources Commission, thanked the board for the proclamation and summarized local initiatives that support sustainability, including an Adopt‑a‑Block program, a document destruction and electronics recycling event on May 9 at Public Works, a sustainability expo planned for Sept. 19, and a pumpkin smash event in November. Bruner closed by paraphrasing primatologist Jane Goodall on the cumulative impact of many people taking small actions.

On personnel matters the board moved to fill a Plan Commission vacancy and to appoint a new department director. Mayor Whitcomb described Caitlin Stone as a long‑term Morton Grove resident and business owner and asked for a motion to appoint her to the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals; the board approved the appointment by voice vote. The mayor also announced the appointment of Zoe Heidorn as community and economic development director, noting Heidorn’s village service since 2019 and work as assistant village administrator; the board approved that appointment unanimously.

The proclamation and appointments drew no recorded opposition.