Consumer Affairs Commission

The Consumer Affairs Commission coordinates consumer activities within the Village, including educational forums and the Farmers' Market. The Commission is an advisory body that prepares reports for the Village Board and makes recommendations on ordinances, regulations, and methods of enforcement related to consumer affairs. All recommendations are presented to the Mayor and the Board of Trustees. There are 17 Commissioners, each serving two-year terms. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month.  For more information regarding the Consumer Affairs Commission contact Terry Oline at 847/933-8223.  

The Commission sponsors the Merchant of the Year and the popular Farmers' Market.

Merchant of the Year

Which store, service or business in Skokie is outstanding?  The Consumer Affairs Commission will recognize a business that has distinguished itself to consumers. Skokie consumers can cast their vote for merchant of the year through the ballot that was located in the April edition of NewSkokie or by clicking here. The deadline for nominations is May 15, 2013. The Merchant of the Year plaque will be awarded in early summer 2013. Check back to learn who the winners are for this year.

The Skokie Consumer Affairs Commission honored the winners of the 2012 Merchant of the Year award at the June 18, 2012 Village Board meeting. The Consumer Affairs Commission received 457 ballots nominating 42 different Skokie businesses. Ballot entries were available in NewSkokie, at www.skokie.org and at the Shop Local Skokie Facebook page.

The winners for the 2012 Merchant of the Year:

Golan's Moving and Storage received a certificate plaque and a perpetual Merchant of the Year trophy that has their business name engraved. The trophy will be on display at Golan's Moving and Storage for one year.

The Consumer Affairs Commission sponsors the Skokie Farmers' Market and makes recommendations on ordinances and regulations related to consumer affairs. All recommendations are presented to the Mayor and the Village Board. For further information please contact Terry Oline at 847/933-8400.

Utility Bill Seminar

The Consumer Affairs Commission and the Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Commission, in conjunction with the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), will offer a free seminar on how to reduce your electric, natural gas and phone bills by hundreds of dollars a year.  The seminar will be held on Tuesday, April 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street.  Participants must reserve their spot by April 19 by calling the Village Manager’s Office at 847/933-8257 or email info@skokie.org.

Participants should bring all of their utility bills for a free, one-on-one consultation with a CUB expert who will search for ways to lower their utility costs.

Click here to view the seminar flyer.

Term: two years
Meeting date: 2nd Wednesday night

Consumer Affairs Commission Members
Fran Young, Chair
Irv Abramson
Ruhul Chowdhury
Estelle Greenberg
Joanne Haberlin
Elana Jacobs
Biju Krishnan
Clifford Levy
George Mathew
Gary Merrill
Howard S. Meyer
Brian Novak
Anil Pillai
Pratap Sampat
Harshad Shah
Gregory Smith
Nancy Steinfink
Babu Varma
Judy Wolf
Liaison: Terry Oline