How 'Coffee with the Council' events may change in Schaumburg and other suburbs

Schaumburg is among the suburbs that regularly hold Coffee with the Council sessions for residents to meet and talk informally with community leaders.

But trustees in the village say changes may be needed in the new year to make the conversations more active, while those in other towns are deciding how and whether to continue the events as the COVID-19 pandemic rolls on.

Schaumburg Trustee George Dunham said the long-standing monthly tradition is still attracting a regular group of people, but most attend largely to hear what others have to say, and the Saturday sessions don't seem to be attracting newcomers.

"I would like it to become more interesting," Dunham said. "It's been off and on ever since I was first elected in '91."

The pandemic also has had an impact on the gatherings this year, with those scheduled during major surges being canceled.

Trustee Jack Sullivan said Coffee with the Council also has tended to attract more interest when there's a major issue before the village. If sessions planned before the village board's August approval of a 149-home development along Summit Drive hadn't been canceled, the gatherings might not be remembered as being so passive.

Among the ideas others suggested were making the events accessible via Zoom or relocating from the community room of the police station. Trustee Brian Bieschke said the gatherings could be move around the village, hosted by various homeowners associations.

Dunham said that while social media offers residents other ways to communicate, he believes Coffee with the Council has the potential to be a higher quality experience for all.

"I do know it would give us a chance to meet (residents) and them to meet us face to face," he said. "I believe a face-to-face conversation is better than an electronic conversation. It's an opportunity for people to get to know their leadership."

Officials in neighboring Hoffman Estates have been able to continue their quarterly Coffee with the Board events after one cancellation in April by moving them to a larger room at village hall and observing all COVID-19 protocols, Mayor Bill McLeod said.

McLeod, who happily admits he borrowed the idea from Schaumburg back in 1983, said about 30 to 40 people typically attend each session.

The village of Mount Prospect hasn't held one of its monthly Coffee with the Council sessions since February due to the pandemic. Officials there so far have chosen not to attempt them as virtual events.

"I think they (village board members) prefer to hold them in person, so we've been holding off," Mount Prospect Director of Communications Howard Kleinstein said.

"We're taking a wait-and-see approach on whether to convert them to virtual events or waiting until we can hold them again in person."