Ethics Complaint Against Skokie Village Trustee

The Irony of Ethics: Trustee Johnson in the Spotlight as New Allegations Surface

Several residents, including Elline Eliasoff, filed an ethics complaint against Skokie Village Trustee James Johnson on February 20, 2025. The complaint highlights various alleged violations committed by Trustee Johnson, and the Skokie Ethics Commission convened on March 5, 2025, to begin hearing the case.

It’s quite ironic that an ethics complaint has been brought against Trustee Johnson, who has filed multiple complaints against his own board—none of which were upheld. He has often pointed fingers at perceived conflicts of interest between the village government and the Skokie Caucus Party, which he claims has dominated local politics for years. Now, it seems the spotlight is on him.

The current complaint includes allegations that date back over a year. While some of these complaints were dismissed due to statutes of limitations, others are moving forward because the Skokie Ethics Commission believes there is probable cause for investigation. Key to this complaint are two specific village meetings where Trustee Johnson’s actions could be seen as violations. Notably, after announcing his run for Village Clerk, he began addressing the board from the lectern during public comments instead of his usual spot at the dais. The complaint alleges that he has misused village resources—like video and audio equipment—to campaign while being paid with taxpayer funds.

For those interested, you can check the recordings of these meetings for context:

- On May 6, 2024, you can see Trustee Johnson step down from the dais to make a public comment at the lectern at 2:09:48:

- On June 3, 2024, he steps down again at 1:43:41:

It's important to clarify that some allegations were dismissed not because they were untrue but due to timing issues related to when they were filed. It's worth pondering what might have transpired had they been submitted in a timely manner.

Next Steps…

The Skokie Ethics Commission has scheduled an evidentiary hearing for March 19 at 3pm to gather more information ahead of the upcoming election. Johnson is currently seeking legal representation through Skokie Village, but I question whether taxpayer funds should finance his defense if the allegations are valid. It's also worth noting that during these meetings, he stepped down as a private citizen while on the clock as a village trustee. So, if he does seek legal counsel, will it be as a private citizen rather than in his capacity as a trustee?

Trustee Johnson is running for Skokie Clerk in the upcoming April 1 election. As residents of Skokie, it's important to stay informed about the independent candidates connected to Trustee Johnson who are also seeking office. Make sure to do your homework before casting your vote, as the individuals we elect and their decisions have a direct impact on our property taxes and student education literacy rates.

You can view the full complaint here.