Frequently Asked Questions about the Winnetka Caucus

What Is the Winnetka Caucus System?

•     The Caucus is a participatory form of self-government for the Village of Winnetka; it is a system designed to involve all voting-age residents of the Village in matters of village government.

•     A “caucus” is commonly defined as a meeting, especially a preliminary meeting, of persons belonging to a party, to nominate candidates for public office, or to confer regarding measures of policy.

•     Formed in 1915 to maintain citizen control over the Village's destiny, the Caucus seeks to develop consensus among residents on Village policies and candidates.  You can learn more about the history of the Winnetka Caucus by clicking here ».

•     The Caucus is a strong forum for defining and developing platforms on current issues and selecting the candidates for the Library, Park , District 36 Schools and Village Council Boards.

•     The work of the Caucus is wholly supported by voluntary contributions.  Please refer to the Funding FAQ below to learn more about donating to the Winnetka Caucus or clicking here ».

Who Makes Up the Caucus?

•     All Winnetka residents of voting age make up the Winnetka Caucus.  Those residents who attend --- and vote at--- the spring and winter town meetings have the greatest impact on platforms and candidates.

•     The Caucus Council, comprising up to 68 volunteers from the community, represents the Caucus: four from each of the 16 voting precincts; plus up to four at-large members who are not Village residents, but who live within the Library, Park or School districts.

•    An Executive Committee, chosen from among the Caucus Council volunteers, serve as Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, of the Caucus Council, and as Chairs of the five Major and 4 Standing Committees.

•     Volunteers may serve up to three consecutive years on the Caucus Council.  Here are the current Caucus Council members ».

What Does the Caucus Council Do?

The Council's two main functions are to:

1.    Develop a Platform based on planks that reflect residents’ views and opinions to guide the work of the four Village boards; and (link to the current platform »)

2.    Nominate qualified candidates to serve as President of the Village, and to serve on the Library, Parks, District 36 Schools and Village Council Boards. (link to the most recent slate of candidates »).

To help develop the Platform, the Caucus Council produces an annual survey, distributed to residents, that includes key issues affecting the Library, Parks, District 36 Schools and Village.  The Caucus Council also works to identify residents interested in serving as Village President or on the Library, Parks, District 36 Schools or Village Council Boards.

How is a Platform created?

The Major Committees develop the Platform by:

a.    Attending meetings, study sessions and other meetings of the Library, Parks, District 36 Schools and Village Council Boards to understand residents’ interests and current topics of discussion;

b:    Interviewing current Library, Parks, District 36 Schools and Village Council Board members, as well as staff members and other parties, to develop understand current issues and topics of interest;

c.    Developing and distributing an annual survey » to all Village households;

d.    Tabulating, interpreting the results; preparing planks based on annual survey results;

e.    Presenting the draft planks and platform to the Caucus Council for approval, and then presenting the final Platform to the full Caucus at the Annual Town Meeting for approval; which then

f.    Providing policy direction, in the form of a Platform, to the Library, Parks, District 36 Schools and Village Council Boards.

How are Candidates selected?

The Major Committees select candidates by:

a.    Identifying qualified residents to fill positions of Village Trustee or President and on the Library, Parks, District 36 Schools Boards;

b.    Interviewing those residents who complete the necessary application and other written materials required of applicants;

c.    Deliberating about each of the applicants based on the interviews, responses to written applications and references and then conducting background and reference checks on each applicant;

d.    Recommending a slate of candidates to the Caucus Council for discussion and approval. The approved slate of candidates are then presented to the full Caucus for final approval at the Annual Town Meeting.

---> All Village residents are strongly encouraged to attend this Annual Town Meeting.  It is there that residents finalize the Platform to guide the Village Boards and also when residents determine the slate of candidates to be elected in the next municipal election.  The Rules of the Caucus require the date of the Annual Town Meeting to be set between the months of November and January, depending on the date set by the State of Illinois for elections for municipalities. 

How Can You Become Involved?

PARTICIPATE!

As the Caucus is a Village-wide participatory form of government, it functions best when a maximum number of residents are involved.  The Caucus needs YOU to:

•    Fill out the annual survey – In early fall, a survey is sent to every Village household.  The survey asks questions about current Village issues.  It also asks for names of residents who may be interested in applying and interviewing to serve as Village President or on the Library, Parks, District 36 Schools and Village Council Boards.  Survey responses can lead to platform recommendations, which help guide Village policy. Your opinions matter!

•     Attend and vote at the Spring and Annual Town Meetings – Every voting-age resident of Winnetka and of the at-large districts have the right to speak and vote at these meetings.

•     Attend Caucus Council open meetings – Meetings of the Caucus Council are open to residents.  Attendance increases awareness of issues and knowledge of how the Caucus Council functions.

•     Volunteer to serve on the Caucus Council – Serving is a great way to ensure the future and continued vitality of our community. Four representatives from each of Winnetka's 16 precincts, plus up to four members-at-large, serve up to three-year terms. If you have not served, or would like to serve again, please contact us at caucus@winnetkacaucus.org.

•     Submit your name, or that of a resident you feel is qualified, to serve as Village President or on Library, Parks, District 36 Schools and Village Council Boards

•     Attend Village Council and Board Meetings - Residents are encouraged to attend the meetings.  Meetings may also be available on local television. For information refer to the overview of the Village boards ».

What are the Committees on the Caucus Council?

Each Caucus Council member (except Executive Committee members) serves up to three years on the Caucus Council.  Each member serves on one Major Committee and one Standing Committee.  Members can move to different committees each year if they wish.

Major Committees

•     The five Major Committees are: Library, Parks, Schools, Village Candidates Selection and Village Platforms

•     The Library, Parks, Schools and Village Candidates Selection Committees:

•     Identify and interview residents interested in serving on one of the Village Boards; and

•     Compile a recommended slate of candidates for approval of the Caucus Council and for approval and final selection by residents at the Annual Town Meeting;

•     The Library, Parks, Schools and Village Platform Committees develop a annual survey that polls all Village households on their opinions regarding key issues affecting the Village. These issues vary from year to year. The committees analyze the results and incorporate these findings into proposed planks to form a platform.  The platform and the slate(s) of candidates are presented to the Caucus Council for approval and then for a final vote of the full Caucus at the Annual Town Meeting.

Standing Committees

•     These four Standing Committees are: Rules, Communications, Fundraising and New Trier Township High School Caucus Nominators.  The New Trier committee operates only in even-numbered years and selects Winnetka delegates to serve on the New Trier Caucus, which in turn interviews and slates candidates for the New Trier School Board.

How is the Caucus Council is Organized?

Executive Committee: An Executive Committee oversees and supports the work of the Caucus Council, including Major Committees and Standing Committees. Executive Committee members serve one-year terms and include:

•     Chair - Oversees the Executive Committee, corresponds with Caucus members, conducts Caucus Council, Caucus and Town Meetings and serves as spokesperson for the Caucus.

•     Vice-Chair - Aids the Chair, oversees Caucus membership development and chairs the New Trier Township High School Caucus Nominators Standing Committee.

•     Secretary - Keeps records and minutes, is responsible for distributing materials to Caucus members.

•     Treasurer -Maintains all financial records, including the financial reports.  Chairs the Finance and Fundraising Committee.

•     Library, Parks, Schools, Village Candidates Selection and Village Platform Chairs – Oversee the activities of each Major Committee.

•     Communications, Rules, Finance and Fundraising and New Trier Township High School Caucus Nominators Chairs - Oversee the activities of each Standing Committee.

What Are the Benefits of Serving on the Caucus Council?

By serving Winnetka on the Caucus Council, you will:

•     Participate actively and take an influential role in developing planks for the platform and assessing candidates to serve as Village President and on the Library, Parks, District 36 Schools and Village Council Boards.

•     Take an interactive role, meet and work with your neighbors, while gaining knowledge of how your Village government works.

•     Feel a sense of honor and a sense of pride in determining the needs, and thereby influencing the future, of your community.

How is the Caucus Council Funded?

The Caucus Council is funded through your donations.

The Winnetka Caucus is an independent organization that relies solely on voluntary contributions. It receives no tax dollars or government funds. Donations to the Caucus support and cover costs associated with the annual survey, Town Meetings and the Caucus communications. Expenses for printing, postage, media announcements and on-line fees continue to go up. The Caucus Council is staffed entirely by volunteers who endeavor to donate not only their time and energy, but often copying and other expenses to the Caucus.  Please make a generous donation and help the Winnetka Caucus continue to serve our community.  Donations »