The latest news from the Village of Skokie

October 3, 2023

Electoral Referendums Implementation Update

Next week, the Village will host its third public meeting as it works to implement three citizen-initiated referendums impacting future Skokie Village Board elections. Join us on Tuesday, October 10, at 7 p.m. at the Skokie Public Library, Petty Auditorium.

Meeting materials

The Village’s mapping consultant, Peter Creticos, considered community input received online and at the first two public meetings in developing his final proposed map. The proposed map, data table and other meeting materials are now available on the Village’s Electoral Referendums page.

Learn about the process: Watch a short video providing an overview of the map development process and see answers to frequently asked questions.

Provide your input: Take a short survey or email comments to [email protected]

Skokie Wins $327,000 Grant to Plant Trees

The Village has been awarded a $327,000 grant from the USDA Forest Service to increase tree planting in disadvantaged areas of Skokie!

Why it’s important: Trees support healthier communities by combating heat island effects, reducing stormwater runoff, improving mental and physical health, filtering pollution, and mitigating other climate change-related issues.

By the numbers: Over the next five years, the grant will support a new Village initiative to plant more than 1,000 trees, prioritizing low- and moderate-income areas that often have less tree coverage.

The end goal: The Village’s Environmental Sustainability Plan aims to increase tree coverage from 25.5 percent to 31 percent in 2040. To support that goal, the Village Board this year approved a 75 percent increase in funding for tree planting.

Celebrate Arts & Humanities Month!

To celebrate the inaugural Skokie Arts and Humanities Month, the Fine Arts Commission has compiled a calendar of arts and humanities events taking place in Skokie during the month of October!

Something for everyone: Take in an architectural tour, a performance at the North Shore Center for Performing Arts, a workshop at Devonshire Cultural Center, a concert at Seman Violins or St. Tim’s Coffeehouse, an open house at the Midwest Clay Guild, and more.

Skokie Through the Lens Returns to Village Hall

The Fine Arts Commission’s community photography exhibit, Skokie Through the Lens, has returned to the lobby of Village Hall. Now through October 31, you can view photos selected by the Fine Arts Commission as best reflecting this year’s theme, “Delighting in Our Diversity.”

Can’t make it to Village Hall? A slideshow of all this year’s photo submissions can be found on the Village website.

Skokie Shines When It Comes to Solar Energy

The Village recently received a SolSmart Gold designation recognizing its efforts to encourage solar energy at the local level!

How we did it: Skokie demonstrated a turnaround time of three days or less for residential solar permits and codified its zoning language to remove any unnecessary barriers to solar energy use. The Village also established a Solar Energy web page with helpful resources.

Shiny stat: Through 2022, the Village has issued more than 400 building permits for solar energy installations.

Real savings: CBS 2 Chicago recently featured a Skokie couple who installed solar panels at home, reducing their monthly electric bill to just $14. Watch the story.

More information: Go Green Skokie’s Lauren Grodnicki recently shared a detailed presentation on solar energy with the Village Board.

Barista with a Badge

Order a cup of coffee from “celebrity barista,” Skokie Police Chief Brian Baker, at Will’s Place, 7927 Lincoln Ave., this Thursday, October 5, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Thanks to our Green Volunteers

Last week, volunteers from the Skokie Beautification & Improvement Commission, Go Green Skokie, and Xylem Water Solutions of Morton Grove joined the Village’s Public Works Department in transforming 1,800 square feet of turf into native plantings!

The group planted approximately 600 plugs along the Skokie Valley Trail south of Dempster Street as part of a Village sustainability project. See photos on the Village’s Instagram and Facebook accounts. (And don’t forget to follow!)

Village Pilots Solar-Powered Street Light

The Village is piloting a new solar-powered LED street light on Main Street just east of the North Shore Channel. The light is 100 percent off-grid and generates $0 in annual electricity costs.

What’s next? Village staff will evaluate the light's performance in a variety of conditions over time to determine whether to expand the program to additional locations.

Take Our Energy Efficiency Day Pledge

Celebrate Energy Efficiency Day on October 4 by taking action at home to save on your energy bills and reduce pollution.

Take the pledge. Explore no-cost actions you can take to be energy efficient.

Read the proclamation (PDF). Review Mayor Van Dusen’s proclamation declaring the first Wednesday of October as Energy Efficiency Day in Skokie.

Stay informed. Check out the Village’s Sustainability page for updates on Skokie’s progress towards its clean energy goals.

Two Ways to Keep Your Yard Clean this Fall

The Village’s Public Works Department makes it easy to keep your yard clean with its weekly yard waste pickup and seasonal leaf collection programs! Here’s what you need to know about the programs as autumn arrives.

Pro tip: Fallen leaves can help improve soil quality and provide nutrients to landscaping and lawns. Rake a few inches of leaves into your landscape beds or mulch into your lawn.

Drop-off Composting Site Update

Due to construction, free drop-off composting is temporarily unavailable at Skokie Fire Station 16, 7424 Niles Center Rd. The site is anticipated to reopen on October 12.

In the meantime, nearby alternative drop-off sites include Village Hall, Hamlin Park and the Niles Township Office Building.

It’s Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Shot

Time slots are still available for the Skokie Health and Human Services Department’s flu shot clinics! Clinics will be held this Wednesday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Thursday, October 12, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Oakton Park, 4701 Oakton Street.

Schedule your appointment.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know: 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it’s easier to treat. Women ages 40 and older should talk to their doctor or healthcare provider about when to start getting mammograms.

Resources