Michael Lieber
Wilmette Village Board
candidate video
responses to voter guide questions
Introduction:
I grew up in suburban Indianapolis, attending public schools and then Bates College. After graduation, I worked for Chevrolet’s advertising agency in Detroit before attending Indiana University Law School. I next moved to Chicago and worked at Kirkland & Ellis as a commercial litigator for several years. And after working for other medium to large firms, I started my own law firm nine years ago.
My wife and I moved to Wilmette nearly 20 years ago. We loved Wilmette when we first got here, and we love it even more now. We have raised our three children here. They attended D39 schools and New Trier. Our twins are college juniors and our younger son is a New Trier junior. We have taken full advantage of what our Village has to offer—from Park District sports leagues to countless hours at Gillson to programs at the library. We are lucky to live here.
I’ve been volunteering in Wilmette since we arrived. I served for three terms on the New Trier School Board Caucus, including as the Wilmette co-chair for the Caucus in 2024. I volunteer with the District 39 Foundation, including being the long-time BINGO caller at D39’s annual BINGO Night fundraiser. I coached boys and girls soccer and flag football when our kids were younger. I volunteered at McKenzie Elementary School, including as co-chair of the Welcoming Committee, and at Highcrest and WJHS. I serve as a Wilmette Block Party volunteer. And I was national president of the Bates College Alumni Association.
I am a consensus builder. I work well with others and have worked collaboratively on boards previously—always with the goal of finding “win/win” solutions. I’m a friendly person and a good listener. The people of Wilmette have good ideas. I intend to listen to those ideas and incorporate them into my decision-making process.
I am running for Village Board because I want to give back to Wilmette. We are a strong community warranting thoughtful, practical, balanced people to step up and serve. We currently have a Village Board that is indeed thoughtful, practical and balanced. I hope to join in that spirit.
We have many reasons to be proud of our community. We are welcoming, friendly, vibrant and fiscally sound. My goal as a Trustee is to keep that momentum going, taking Wilmette from strength to strength.
Question 1: What do you believe is the most pressing issue facing the Village of Wilmette, and how would you address that issue as Village Trustee?
While our downtown area is thriving, other shopping corridors are struggling. For example, the 4th and Linden neighborhood once had a flourishing shopping area, but it currently lacks that past excitement. The Village Board must be open-minded when it comes to zoning regulations to attract destination businesses—perhaps a new restaurant/brewpub.
The Ridge Road Corridor is similarly struggling. Treasure Island closed more than seven years ago. The Village must work to fill that space and other empty retail spaces along the length of corridor.
Wilmette’s downtown has become a vibrant restaurant hub, and our residents deserve a similar array of shopping choices throughout the Village. More choices and more retail stores have the added benefit of providing sales tax revenue to fill Wilmette’s coffers.
Question 2: What, if any, capital projects do you think the Village should undertake during your term, and what do you think of projects that are currently underway or proposed, such as a new police station? How do you propose funding new capital projects?
The Village should undertake several capital projects during the coming term—some planned and some already underway. These include the Lake Avenue and Green Bay Road Improvement Projects, which will enhance two key Village thoroughfares. The Village should also allocate assets to increase bike connectivity, with a goal of finally linking the Green Bay Trail to both the North Branch Trail and the North Channel Trail, allowing Village residents to bike into Chicago more safely.
I support the development of a new police station. Our current station has lasted nearly 60 years but is outdated. It lacks many features necessary for today’s modern policing, such as a digital forensics processing room, sufficient training space for defensive tactics education and appropriate space for female officers. We also need a best-in-class evidence room to allow for the effective prosecution of crime in our Village. And we need a modern facility to continue attracting the best police officers to our jurisdiction. Our officers put their lives on the line for us daily. They deserve a modern facility.
The best way to fund new projects is the wise use our existing tax revenues, being mindful to keep property taxes as low as possible while still delivering the first-class municipal services that residents expect. Bond issues can also be a fitting method to fund important long-term assets, assuming acceptable financial terms are available.
Question 3: In 2023, Wilmette government agencies hired a shared Sustainability Coordinator to implement programs that protect our environment, conserve natural resources, and address the climate crisis. In what areas do you feel the Village has made the best use of this Coordinator's time, and where would you like to see increased focus?
I recently visited with Wilmette’s Sustainability Coordinator, Lucy Mellen, and attended an Environmental and Energy Commission meeting, where she serves as staff liaison. She and the Commission are doing critically important work to protect one of Wilmette’s most valuable assets: Our physical environment.
Having a full-time staff member working with Village employees creates a culture of sustainability that becomes intuitive. Wilmette can create policies and metrics, but having someone in the building—versus an occasional consultant—is what will really move the needle. And I applaud Lucy’s work in educating Village residents about land stewardship, emissions reductions and rebates available to transition to electrification and away from oil and gas-based power systems.
Other good uses of Ms. Mellen’s time include the Village’s focus on promoting green infrastructure, environmentally sound parking pavers and continued emphasis on protecting our extensive tree canopy, allowing the Village to be recognized as a Tree City USA for the 40th time. It’s also terrific that under Lucy’s leadership, the Village has an objective of having 85% of all new plantings at our parks being native species.
This coming year, Lucy and the Commission will be focusing on reducing Wilmette’s emissions, creating new habitat signs and mapping, and increasing monarch butterfly habitats—all worthy goals worth pursuing.
Question 4: Currently, the Housing Commission is working on a Housing Plan. What is your position on the availability of affordable housing in Wilmette? How, if at all, would you address affordable housing in Wilmette?
I favor affordable housing options in Wilmette, particularly to address the needs of three key constituencies: Empty nesters looking to downsize; young families moving to Wilmette and Wilmette’s workforce. I would address the need for affordable housing in four ways:
First, I would consider allowing variances for properties with carriage houses and two-story unattached garages so those could be redeveloped for residential purposes. This will add to Wilmette’s housing stock and create lower-cost options, particularly for residents looking to downsize.
Second, I would encourage private builders to construct smaller, starter homes suitable for those looking to downsize and for young families looking to move to Wilmette.
Third, we need to utilize the $1.6 million in Optima funds as part of its Lumina development and funds to be provided as part of its Verdana project. The best way to maximize these funds will be for Wilmette to continue to expand its partnership with CPAH—Community Partners for Affordable Housing—which purchases smaller houses, rehabs them and holds them in community land trusts, allowing qualified residents to live in them, with CPAH being able to provide the homes to other qualified residents should the initial resident move out.
Fourth, I would ask new larger residential projects to either include units devoted for affordable housing or set aside funds for affordable housing options in other locations, again perhaps partnering with CPAH to maximize affordable housing opportunities.
I grew up in suburban Indianapolis, attending public schools and then Bates College. After graduation, I worked for Chevrolet’s advertising agency in Detroit before attending Indiana University Law School. I next moved to Chicago and worked at Kirkland & Ellis as a commercial litigator for several years. And after working for other medium to large firms, I started my own law firm nine years ago.
My wife and I moved to Wilmette nearly 20 years ago. We loved Wilmette when we first got here, and we love it even more now. We have raised our three children here. They attended D39 schools and New Trier. Our twins are college juniors and our younger son is a New Trier junior. We have taken full advantage of what our Village has to offer—from Park District sports leagues to countless hours at Gillson to programs at the library. We are lucky to live here.
I’ve been volunteering in Wilmette since we arrived. I served for three terms on the New Trier School Board Caucus, including as the Wilmette co-chair for the Caucus in 2024. I volunteer with the District 39 Foundation, including being the long-time BINGO caller at D39’s annual BINGO Night fundraiser. I coached boys and girls soccer and flag football when our kids were younger. I volunteered at McKenzie Elementary School, including as co-chair of the Welcoming Committee, and at Highcrest and WJHS. I serve as a Wilmette Block Party volunteer. And I was national president of the Bates College Alumni Association.
I am a consensus builder. I work well with others and have worked collaboratively on boards previously—always with the goal of finding “win/win” solutions. I’m a friendly person and a good listener. The people of Wilmette have good ideas. I intend to listen to those ideas and incorporate them into my decision-making process.
I am running for Village Board because I want to give back to Wilmette. We are a strong community warranting thoughtful, practical, balanced people to step up and serve. We currently have a Village Board that is indeed thoughtful, practical and balanced. I hope to join in that spirit.
We have many reasons to be proud of our community. We are welcoming, friendly, vibrant and fiscally sound. My goal as a Trustee is to keep that momentum going, taking Wilmette from strength to strength.
Question 1: What do you believe is the most pressing issue facing the Village of Wilmette, and how would you address that issue as Village Trustee?
While our downtown area is thriving, other shopping corridors are struggling. For example, the 4th and Linden neighborhood once had a flourishing shopping area, but it currently lacks that past excitement. The Village Board must be open-minded when it comes to zoning regulations to attract destination businesses—perhaps a new restaurant/brewpub.
The Ridge Road Corridor is similarly struggling. Treasure Island closed more than seven years ago. The Village must work to fill that space and other empty retail spaces along the length of corridor.
Wilmette’s downtown has become a vibrant restaurant hub, and our residents deserve a similar array of shopping choices throughout the Village. More choices and more retail stores have the added benefit of providing sales tax revenue to fill Wilmette’s coffers.
Question 2: What, if any, capital projects do you think the Village should undertake during your term, and what do you think of projects that are currently underway or proposed, such as a new police station? How do you propose funding new capital projects?
The Village should undertake several capital projects during the coming term—some planned and some already underway. These include the Lake Avenue and Green Bay Road Improvement Projects, which will enhance two key Village thoroughfares. The Village should also allocate assets to increase bike connectivity, with a goal of finally linking the Green Bay Trail to both the North Branch Trail and the North Channel Trail, allowing Village residents to bike into Chicago more safely.
I support the development of a new police station. Our current station has lasted nearly 60 years but is outdated. It lacks many features necessary for today’s modern policing, such as a digital forensics processing room, sufficient training space for defensive tactics education and appropriate space for female officers. We also need a best-in-class evidence room to allow for the effective prosecution of crime in our Village. And we need a modern facility to continue attracting the best police officers to our jurisdiction. Our officers put their lives on the line for us daily. They deserve a modern facility.
The best way to fund new projects is the wise use our existing tax revenues, being mindful to keep property taxes as low as possible while still delivering the first-class municipal services that residents expect. Bond issues can also be a fitting method to fund important long-term assets, assuming acceptable financial terms are available.
Question 3: In 2023, Wilmette government agencies hired a shared Sustainability Coordinator to implement programs that protect our environment, conserve natural resources, and address the climate crisis. In what areas do you feel the Village has made the best use of this Coordinator's time, and where would you like to see increased focus?
I recently visited with Wilmette’s Sustainability Coordinator, Lucy Mellen, and attended an Environmental and Energy Commission meeting, where she serves as staff liaison. She and the Commission are doing critically important work to protect one of Wilmette’s most valuable assets: Our physical environment.
Having a full-time staff member working with Village employees creates a culture of sustainability that becomes intuitive. Wilmette can create policies and metrics, but having someone in the building—versus an occasional consultant—is what will really move the needle. And I applaud Lucy’s work in educating Village residents about land stewardship, emissions reductions and rebates available to transition to electrification and away from oil and gas-based power systems.
Other good uses of Ms. Mellen’s time include the Village’s focus on promoting green infrastructure, environmentally sound parking pavers and continued emphasis on protecting our extensive tree canopy, allowing the Village to be recognized as a Tree City USA for the 40th time. It’s also terrific that under Lucy’s leadership, the Village has an objective of having 85% of all new plantings at our parks being native species.
This coming year, Lucy and the Commission will be focusing on reducing Wilmette’s emissions, creating new habitat signs and mapping, and increasing monarch butterfly habitats—all worthy goals worth pursuing.
Question 4: Currently, the Housing Commission is working on a Housing Plan. What is your position on the availability of affordable housing in Wilmette? How, if at all, would you address affordable housing in Wilmette?
I favor affordable housing options in Wilmette, particularly to address the needs of three key constituencies: Empty nesters looking to downsize; young families moving to Wilmette and Wilmette’s workforce. I would address the need for affordable housing in four ways:
First, I would consider allowing variances for properties with carriage houses and two-story unattached garages so those could be redeveloped for residential purposes. This will add to Wilmette’s housing stock and create lower-cost options, particularly for residents looking to downsize.
Second, I would encourage private builders to construct smaller, starter homes suitable for those looking to downsize and for young families looking to move to Wilmette.
Third, we need to utilize the $1.6 million in Optima funds as part of its Lumina development and funds to be provided as part of its Verdana project. The best way to maximize these funds will be for Wilmette to continue to expand its partnership with CPAH—Community Partners for Affordable Housing—which purchases smaller houses, rehabs them and holds them in community land trusts, allowing qualified residents to live in them, with CPAH being able to provide the homes to other qualified residents should the initial resident move out.
Fourth, I would ask new larger residential projects to either include units devoted for affordable housing or set aside funds for affordable housing options in other locations, again perhaps partnering with CPAH to maximize affordable housing opportunities.