We’re glad you’re here to learn more about the Northbrook Caucus and how we work to strengthen our community. This page is designed to answer common questions about our mission, process, and how you can get involved. Whether you’re curious about our candidate selection, upcoming events, or the ways we engage with local residents, you’ll find helpful information here. At the Northbrook Caucus, we’re committed to transparency, inclusivity, and ensuring that every voice is heard. Let’s work together to keep Northbrook thriving!
What is the Northbrook Caucus?
The Northbrook Caucus is a group of volunteers who serve the Village of Northbrook. Since 1952, the mission of the Northbrook Caucus has been to provide an open, independent, nonpartisan process for recommending qualified citizens to serve in Northbrook's Village Board of Trustees, Park Board, Library Board, and school boards.
The Northbrook Caucus identifies, vets and nominates residents for placement on local election ballots as "Caucus" candidates for Village wide offices of Village President, Village Trustee, Village Clerk, Park Board Commissioner, Library Board Trustee, and school board member.
Because the Northbrook Caucus is open to all, members of the community can be confident that the community based search and review process has been conducted for all candidates.
How does the Caucus process work?
The process the Northbrook Caucus follows for selecting and endorsing candidates is illustrated on the History & Principles page.
How do you get on the Northbrook Caucus?
Residents who want to get involved and believe that community service is their civic responsibility are encouraged to join the Northbrook Caucus. The sub-committee members and chairs are responsible for identifying, interviewing, recruiting and recommending qualified fellow Northbrook residents to serve on our town’s various boards.
Prior to each election cycle, the Caucus solicits applications from the entire community. This helps ensure the complexion of the community is diverse and reflects the ever changing voice of the community.
All Northbrook registered voters are eligible to serve on the Northbrook Caucus. These time commits vary depending on the workload assigned each year.
Why is the Caucus a non-partisan organization and what does that mean for the Village?
Because the Northbrook Caucus is a non-partisan organization, Northbrook residents benefit in terms of credibility, inclusivity, and effectiveness, for example:
- Impartiality: A non-partisan stance enhances the organization's credibility, as it is not perceived as favoring one political ideology over another.
- Broad Appeal: It fosters trust among diverse audiences, including those who might otherwise disengage due to perceived political bias.
- Focus on Mission: The organization is focused on its core mission rather than political agendas.
- Wider Reach: Being non-partisan allows the organization to engage with individuals and groups across the political spectrum.
- Effective Partnerships: It opens doors to community collaboration regardless of their political affiliations.
- Unity over Division: A non-partisan approach helps bring people together around shared goals rather than highlighting differences.
- Public Engagement: A non-partisan stance encourages civic participation by focusing on issues rather than polarizing debates.
- Problem-Solving: It facilitates constructive dialogue and problem-solving, as participants are less likely to feel alienated or attacked.
The goal is to focus on the Village and the needs of the local residents first and foremost and it helps to avoid the often divisive partisan politics that play out at the state and national level. Instead of "politicking" the Caucus process focuses on finding volunteers that are qualified with the right experience and then helps to vet them appropriately before nomination. We seek candidates that make decisions that benefit of all of Northbrook vs for some political agenda for just a portion of the community.
As a result, our Village has enjoyed a strong financial position and a AAA bond rating within a State that struggles in these ways. We have top rated schools, parks and library. We enjoy great amenities and have an excellent Village management team with a great staff. We are fortunate to have so many citizens in the community willing to serve Northbrook with robust skills and experiences.
What is the vetting process for Board positions?
The Northbrook Caucus seeks, vets and nominates residents for placement on local election ballots as "Caucus" candidates for Village wide offices of Village President, Village Board Trustee, Village Clerk, Park Board Commissioner, Library Board Trustee and Districts 27 and 28 School Board members. The process the Northbrook Caucus follows for selecting and endorsing candidates is:
- The Caucus solicits candidates and seeks applications
- Each subcommittee reviews applications and selects candidates to interview
- Subcommittees interview candidates
- Subcommittees make recommendations to the Caucus of the Whole
- The Caucus of the Whole meets to evaluate and discuss subcommittee recommendations. Nominations may be made from the floor at this time. After discussion, the Caucus of the Whole votes to determine which candidates will be recommended at the Town Hall Meeting.
- The Caucus Chair presents the candidates at the Town Hall. Nominations may be made from the floor. Then the Town votes. Candidates receiving the most votes are "endorsed" by the Northbrook Caucus.
If we have a Caucus, why do we still have contested elections?
Free and fair elections are the bedrock of our constitutional democracy. As noted above, the Caucus Committee serves in an advisory capacity to recommend candidates for elected positions, but there is nothing to prevent any registered Northbrook voter from running for election. We see other candidates run for various personal, special interest, or politically driven reasons. Our country’s electoral process supports the opportunity for candidates to run for any reason. Our town does too.
The point of the Caucus is to offer the community a process to ensure some due diligence has been overseen in the candidate selection process before nominees are presented for the election. The Caucus search, vetting and nominating process is run by peers in the Caucus Committee who serve on behalf of the community.
A vetting process vs self-selected individuals provides a level of assurance and confidence for the community. Ultimately, every Northbrook voter casts their own votes and are encouraged to do their own research of all candidates up for election.