SkokieNews - Proposed Budget, job opportunities and more!

April 2, 2024

Review the Village’s FY25 Proposed Budget

The Village has shared its proposed Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Budget, which funds Village services and operations for May 2024 through April 2025.

Six quick budget highlights

Highlights of the proposed FY25 Budget include:

Financial stewardship: Maintains the Village’s historic property tax freeze for the 34th consecutive year
Efficient operations: 40.5 staff positions continue to be held vacant following the Great Recession, resulting in $3.3 million in annual savings
Public safety: Unfreezes two vacant police officer positions and funds the purchase of a new fire engine
Infrastructure: Resurfaces nearly five miles of streets, doubles the number of water main replacements, and supports major roadway improvement projects
Sustainability: Enhances funding for tree planting and pruning, expands the Village’s free drop-off food scrap composting program, and replaces 15 retiring fleet vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs)
Rat abatement: Increases funding for contracted rat abatement services by 267 percent and adds two part-time Environmental Health Officer positions to respond to rat control service requests following several consecutive mild winters and a regional uptick in rat activity since 2019

Learn more: View the Proposed FY2025 Budget and Budget Message on the Village’s Budget web page and scan the highlights in the Village’s press release. Three public hearings (PDF) will occur on April 11, April 25 and May 1.

Skokie flu shot clinic. Photo by Rich Cahan.

April 1-7 is National Public Health Week!

Did you know Skokie is home to one of only five certified municipal health departments in Illinois?

Why it matters: The Village’s team of public health professionals offers immunizations, infectious disease control, health screenings, mental health and crisis response, environmental health services, and much more. Together, they protect, connect, and help Skokie thrive. Learn more.

What to Know About Measles

The IDPH, along with the Chicago, Lake County, Will County and Cook County health departments, have confirmed more than 50 cases of measles since March 5, 2024. Last week, the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) confirmed the first suburban Cook County measles case this year.

Protect yourself: Anyone unvaccinated should get the Measles vaccine right away. Two doses of the vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing infection.

Symptoms: Call your medical provider if you or your loved ones develop:

Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes
Rash that starts at the head and spreads down and out on the body

Pictured: Management Analyst Taylor Enkhnasan, Police Chief Jesse Barnes, and Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Vice President Pat Kreis.

Gold Star: Skokie Police Department Renews Elite Status

Following a comprehensive independent review, the Skokie Police Department has renewed its Tier 1 accreditation with the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP)!

Did you know: In 2012, the Skokie Police Department became only the sixth agency in Illinois to achieve the elite status through ILEAP.

Starting this Week: Dempster Street Bridge Construction

On Wednesday, IDOT is anticipated to begin bridge repairs and resurfacing on Dempster Street at the Edens Expressway, with work expected to be complete by September.

Traffic impacts: Dempster Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction. In addition, the outbound Edens ramp to westbound Dempster Street and the inbound Edens ramp to eastbound Dempster Street will be closed. Detours will utilize Touhy and Lake Avenue exits.

Where, When and How to Watch the Solar Eclipse

On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, including part of Illinois!

Safety first: Avoid serious eye injury by reviewing important safety tips from NASA.

2:07 p.m.: Here in Skokie, the moon will cover approximately 93 percent of the sun at maximum. A partial eclipse will begin at 12:51 p.m.; maximum coverage will peak at 2:07 p.m.; and the partial eclipse will end at 3:21 p.m. Check out NASA’s eclipse explorer map.

Local viewing: Join the Skokie Public Library and Skokie Park District for watch parties to celebrate this special celestial event.

Explore Skokie!

Schaefer’s Wines

Looking for the perfect bottle of wine or spirits for a special occasion? In recognition of National Mom and Pop Business Day, Explore Skokie featured Schaefer’s Wines, which opened its doors at 9965 Gross Point Rd. in Skokie in 1936!

Aiming to ‘wow:’ Schaefer’s matches service with selection, and even offers monthly tasting events. Learn more on the Village’s Explore Skokie Facebook and Instagram.

North Shore Live

Experience Skokie’s incredible performing arts scene during Chicago’s North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau’s North Shore Live celebration, March 17 through April 28!

What’s on stage: See a list of upcoming performances in Skokie, including live music, theater, and more.

2024: The Summer of Music In Skokie

As you make your summer plans, mark your calendar for major outdoor music events in Skokie, including Off North Shore, June 21 and 22; Out of Space July 26-28; and the Backlot Bash, August 23-25.

Join Your Hometown Team

The Skokie Fire Department is seeking a Fire Prevention Specialist / Inspector & Public Educator (PDF) to join its nationally recognized team! Apply by April 29.

More career opportunities: The Village is also hiring an urban forestry intern, engineering intern, and more. Visit our employment opportunities page for details and to apply.

April is Fair Housing Month

Last night, Mayor Van Dusen and the Skokie Village Board of Trustees recognized April as “Fair Housing Is Not An Option. It’s The Law Month,” marking the 56th anniversary of the U.S. Federal Fair Housing Act.

Did you know: Skokie was the first in the state to pass a Fair Housing Ordinance, prohibiting unlawful and discriminatory housing practices.

Skokie Spring Greening, April 14

We’re less than two weeks away from Skokie’s annual community recycling event! The Spring Greening will take place on Sunday, April 14, 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., at Westfield Old Orchard (West Parking Lot).

Accepted items: Residents of Skokie and other Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) communities can drop off electronics, securely shred documents, and responsibly dispose of other items, including batteries, paint (for a fee), clothing and more. A complete list of items will be available online prior to the event.

More events: Visit the SWANCC website for additional recycling events in northern Cook County.

Village tree pruning contractors. Photo by Rich Cahan.

Additional Parkway Tree Pruning Planned

The Village’s tree pruning contractor will be conducting routine parkway tree pruning in the area bounded by Oakton and Mulford Streets, from Crawford to Kenton Avenues.

Why prune? Trees are pruned for clearance, deadwood, and structure only. If low branches aren’t pruned, trees can be damaged by trucks, plows and other vehicles, sometimes requiring the removal of an entire tree.

What you should do: Be on the lookout for signage alerting you to pruning operations on your block and move your vehicle accordingly. Brush is collected at the end of the day. Call 847-933-8427 if a brush pile was missed for more than 24 hours.

Register: Disabilities Town Hall, April 14

Share your thoughts and ideas to help our community become more welcoming and accessible for individuals with disabilities.

The Village’s Commission on Family Services, in partnership with the Skokie Public Library and other local service providers, will host a Disabilities Town Hall on Sunday, April 14, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Skokie Public Library. Register online.

Help Clean Up Skokie this Spring

Looking for an Earth Month volunteer opportunity? The Village's Clean Green litter pickup program is great for all ages and group sizes!

Sign up: Register to clean up a location in Skokie anytime between now and April 19. We’ll provide a clean-up kit for your group to pick up. All volunteers must also complete the online waiver.

Yard Waste Season Is Here

Yard waste collection begins this Wednesday (weather permitting) and continues through the first week of November.

How it works: Place landscape waste into 32-gallon paper yard waste bags and place the bags in the same area where your recycling and refuse are collected no later than 7 a.m. Grass clippings are not accepted.

Get a rebate on an electric leaf blower: Reduce emissions and noise pollution by taking advantage of a $50 rebate on eligible purchases while supplies last.