Judaism has been at the heart of George Van Dusen's decades-long career as a public servant.
"My Judaism is right at my core as a politician," he said. "I believe the family must come first in public policy, and that it's essential to welcome everyone-both of which are key Jewish values."
After 26 years serving as the mayor of Skokie, Van Dusen, 83, retired in April. His mayoral tenure included the establishment of the landmark Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, which honors both the memory of the millions murdered during the Holocaust and the courage and resilience those who survived.
The museum was the culmination of a decades' long effort led by Skokie's significant community of Holocaust survivors, who were galvanized after a notorious attempt by neo-Nazis to march in Skokie in 1977.
Today, the former mayor revels in Skokie's diversity. Home to many immigrants and first-generation Americans, its 67,000 residents speak some 75 languages. The village celebrates its residents' many backgrounds though initiatives which include an annual Skokie Festival of Cultures.
"Our kids, David and Danny, all went to Skokie schools, and their friends came from all over the world," Van Dusen said. "They learned the geography of the world through their friends."
The museum, as well as Skokie's library and parks, have won national awards during Van Dusen's administration.
In March, the North Shore Center for Performing Arts named its main theater for Van Dusen, in honor of his support of the arts, including the redevelopment of the North Shore Sculpture Park.
As mayor, Van Dusen also oversaw the establishment of the Illinois Science & Technology Park, opening of the Oakton Yellow Line CTA stop, and redevelopment of Westfield Old Orchard shopping center.
It is a point of pride for Van Dusen that under his leadership every village budget has been balanced, even during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2008 recession. Skokie also has kept a cap on the property tax levy for 35 consecutive years, while exceeding the state mandate for affordable housing by 100%.
"People should be able to live near where they work," Van Dusen said.
He is proud that the village's diversity extends to its housing and economy as well as its people-but worries about the state of the world today.
"I am extraordinarily concerned about the wave of antisemitism in the country," he added, especially on campus. Van Dusen, who has a Ph.D. in history from Loyola University, taught U.S. history and government at Oakton College from 1999 to 2022. "I preached to my students that you need to be tolerant of everybody. And I believe strongly that, if everybody is respected, then we Jews will be safe."
In addition to his work as mayor, Van Dusen has held leadership positions at many regional municipal agencies and served on the Illinois Humanities Council and advisory boards of the Chicago Transit Authority and National Public Radio.
Originally from Detroit, Van Dusen has remained a lifelong Tigers fan and published The Detroit Tigers Encyclopedia in 2022.
Serving as Skokie's mayor is the second chapter of Van Dusen's political career. Previously, he served for 26 years as director of district operations for the late U.S. Congressman Sidney Yates, about whom he wrote his first book.
"I learned how you get something done by working together with people," said Van Dusen, who attributes many of his successes to this collaborative spirit.
What's the next chapter for Van Dusen? Publishing his third book, a mystery novel.
"I'm proud of my work here in Skokie," he concluded. "Now, it's time for me to reinvent myself again."
