Joe and Tim talk about the Caucus, bylaw modernization and restoring trust within the community.

Joe is the current president of the Lake Forest Caucus. He has lived in Lake Forest since 2015 with his wife and four children. Joe previously served as Caucus Vice President, Treasurer, and on numerous subcommittees, leading searches for elected and appointed volunteers for various positions. He also served on the Friends of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Board. In his professional life, Joe has served as an advisor, officer and fiduciary for corporate clients, helping them to improve operational and financial performance. He’s held executive officer roles, such as president and CFO, on behalf of clients in multiple industries.

A Conversation with Joe Oriti

Dr. Jill M. Baren. In July of 2022, Dr. Baren was appointed the fourteenth president of Lake Forest College. Lake Forest College was founded in 1857 and is home to nearly 1600 students. Last year the Wall Street Journal rated Lake Forest College the top liberal arts college in the Midwest. Dr. Baren is a medical doctor, educator, and researcher, who brings nearly 30 years of academic medicine and higher-education administrative experience to the presidency.  

She previously served as Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, before coming to Lake Forest College

A Conversation with Jill Baren

Congressman Schneider is currently serving his 5th term representing the 10th District of Illinois. He presently serves on the House Ways and Means and the Foreign Affairs Committees. Congressman Schieder is a recognized leader on the Middle East and has focused extensively on the U.S.-Israel relationship. 

Mr. Schneider holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and an MBA both from Northwestern University. Prior to running for congress, he has worked as a business consultant and managed an insurance firm. He is seeking a 6th term in the House of Representatives in the election next month. The congressman resides with his wife Julie in Highland Park.

A Conversation with Congressman Brad Schneider

Jim Carris is a candidate for the Illinois 10th District in the House of Representatives. Jim is a longtime commercial real estate executive who has put that career on hold to run for congress. 

He has an undergraduate degree from Notre Dame and a law degree from Loyola University in Chicago.  Jim, his wife, and three children are residents of Lake Forest.

A Conversation with Jim Carris Candidate for Congress

Dr. Lenart came to Lake Forest High School in 2021 from Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Virginia. Dr. Lenart began her career as an English teacher and later has served as an Assistant Principal and Principal at both the Junior High and High School levels. 

She holds a Bachelors degree in English form Austin Peay University, a Masters in Education Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Virginia Tech.

A Conversation with Lake Forest High School Principal Dr. Erin Lenart

Joanna is the longtime Executive Director of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce. Joanna, a graduate of Boston University, began her career as a singer and actress. Her stage career included productions in Boston, Denver, and the Chicago area. She transitioned into public relations and marketing by working with two symphony orchestras, including the Lake Forest Symphony. Joanna then went to work at the Gorton Community Center, and after a stint in the real estate industry, she became Executive Director of the Lake Forest Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce in 1997.

A Conversation with Joanna Rolek

Melanie and Kent are co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Bylaws Committee for the Lake Forest Caucus. Melanie is a longtime resident of Lake Forest and has served the community in many ways, most recently as an Alderman. Prior to that she has also served as an Officer of the Lake Forest Open Lands Association, including a stint as Chairperson. She has been a member of the Board and past President of the Lake Forest District 67 School Board as well as a Director of the Gorton Community Center. Melanie has been active in many other civic and charitable organizations in Lake Forest and Lake County. She is a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston and Loyola University School of Law and continues to practice law in Lake Forest.

Kent is also a longtime resident of Lake Forest. Kent has been very active with the city, having served as a 1st Ward Alderman, a member of the Zoning Commission, a member of the District 67 School Board and as a Committee Member of the Lake Forest Caucus. Kent attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and John Marshall University Law School. He is a practicing attorney in Chicago.

A Conversation with Kent Novit and Melanie Rummel

Representative Morgan was first elected to the 58thDistrict, which includes Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Highwood, Highland Park, Deerfield and Bannockburn, in 2018.

In Springfield, Representative Morgan has made gun safety and healthcare access his focus. Prior to running for office, Mr. Morgan was a healthcare attorney for the Governor’s Office and General Counsel for the Department of Health. He was instrumental in implementing provisions of the Affordable Healthcare Act here in Illinois and was also a force behind the implementation of the State’sMedical Cannabis Program.

Representative Morgan is a graduate of the University of Illinois and has his JD from Northern Illinois University. He resides with his wife and two children in Deerfield.

A Conversation with Representative Bob Morgan

A Conversation With Local Youth Coaches

COACH LaSCALA

Transitioning into high school can cause a great deal of anxiety for young teens. Knowing someone is there to look out for you makes all the difference. Coach Phil LaScala developed the Lake Forest High School (LFHS) basketball program and ran it for nearly 20 years with the deliberate intention of supporting young players. He paired seniors on the team with underclassman and it meant everything to the new guys, who looked up to the varsity players. It taught members of the varsity team to understand their leadership role and to tune in and make time for others on and off the court. 

Our sons, Noah, Tommy and Sean, were three of the hundreds who benefited from taking part in the program. Noah continues to appreciate what the four-year experience taught him and remembers a sense of comfort by starting high school knowing someone was around to check in on him.

Coach LaScala created a program culture that inspired basketball players from as young as five to aspire to play for him one day at LFHS and the results speak for themselves. Coach LaScala built one of the strongest, most competitive teams in the area year after year, including the 2015 team on which Noah and Tommy played, that went 28-3, losing only to the Stevenson team led by Jalen Brunson, one of the best players in the NBA today. 

LFHS and our community have been fortunate to have Coach LaScala at the helm of one of our most celebrated sports programs for two decades. He demanded that his players work to grow into the best versions of themselves as athletes and students, knowing it would benefit them in college and in their careers. Most LFHS basketball alumni say it has. 

At end-of-the-season banquets, Coach LaScala made sure the events were a grand finale. The entire team of players, coaches, trainers, managers and parents attended and it didn’t phase him if the events lasted hours. He made sure every senior was properly recognized, with an in-depth tribute that detailed what he and the team appreciated about them. Each one was called to the front, where he stood next to Coach LaScala as the player’s strengths and contributions, both on and off the court, were extolled. 

Today’s LFHS feeder program was shaped by Coach LaScala. Initially, there was a single team for each grade. He rejected that approach, saying more kids should have the opportunity to play and develop. Now, each grade has multiple teams that instill the fundamentals of what is taught at the varsity level. Coach LaScala knew winning starts with them believing in each other and in themselves.

Being good citizens was just as important to Coach LaScala as being good players. He made sure his guys made a difference in the community by volunteering at Camp Hope, helping with the feeder program, and shopping for gifts to give the less fortunate during the holidays. Coach LaScala believed being a good person translated into being a good teammate. 

He pushed the boys to be the best version of themselves and to strive for excellence. He was named Illinois’ “Coach of the Year” six times as head basketball coach for LFHS. We thank and honor Coach LaScala for the role he played preparing our sons for life. 

Jennifer Karras and John Trkla

A Conversation with Phil LaScala

The goal of the Podcast is to give the residents of Lake Forest some insight into what's happening with our city.

A Conversation with Jill Baren

Lake Forest On Topic

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