SkokieNews - SkokieNews - Youth art contest, tree pruning, and more!

February 13, 2024

Youth Art Contest: Help Decorate Skokie’s New Refuse Truck

Ahead of Earth Month, the Village is calling on local students to use their creativity and artistic ability to call attention to the Village’s Environmental Sustainability Plan goal of reducing landfill waste community-wide!

Submit your design: Students in grades 5-12 are invited to share their original artwork inspired by the theme, “Reducing Waste.” Submissions are due by March 15. View the contest guidelines.

Pictured, from left: Skokie Fire Inspector Tim Taylor, Deputy Chief Nick Eschner, Mort Feldberg, and Chief Jeff Hoeflich at the 2023 Citizens Fire Academy graduation ceremony.

WBEZ Spotlights Skokie Citizens Fire Academy

This week, WBEZ’s Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons spoke with Skokie Fire Inspector Tim Taylor and Citizens Fire Academy graduate Mort Feldberg. At 87, Mort is the program’s oldest graduate, and highly recommends the program to residents of any age!

Hear it for yourself: Listen to the WBEZ interview.

Presidents' Day Holiday Schedule

Skokie Village Hall will be closed in observance of Presidents' Day on Monday, February 19, 2024. Many Village services are available 24/7 on the Village website or via the Access Skokie app.

Refuse Collection

During the week of February 19:

• Monday collections will occur on Tuesday

• Tuesday collections will occur on Wednesday

• Thursday and Friday collections will occur as normal

Recycling Collection

All collections will occur as normal.

Bundle Up for BINGO!

Explore Downtown Skokie businesses on a BINGO adventure on Leap Day, Thursday, February 29! Enjoy light bites at participating locations, take advantage of shopping discounts, and earn entries for a BINGO prize raffle at the end of the evening.

Limited time offer: Purchase your ticket by this Thursday, February 15 and receive $5 off! All participants will receive a knit Skokie hat and the first 100 will take home a stainless steel coffee mug.

Dine Around Skokie this February

Take advantage of delicious deals at Skokie restaurants this February as part of North Shore Restaurant Month.

Dine around Skokie: Have a favorite Skokie dining destination? We want to know! Share a photo of your food or a selfie on location using #DineAroundSkokie and tag @ExploreSkokie on Instagram. You’ll be entered for a chance to win a full day of food and fun in Skokie ($150 value).

Happening Now: Parkway Tree Pruning

The Village’s tree pruning contractor, Advanced Tree Care, will be conducting routine parkway tree pruning in southeast Skokie over the next two weeks.

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.

More tree news: Separately, arborists working for ComEd will be conducting tree trimming and vegetation management at locations throughout Skokie over the next several months. Preventative tree maintenance helps avoid power outages.

Explore Skokie: Blank Mason

Looking for a fun night to celebrate with your galentines, or a unique Valentine’s Day gift for your flame? Explore Skokie recently visited Blank Mason Candle Bar at 4999 Old Orchard Rd.!

Find your fragrance: Check out Explore Skokie’s Facebook or Instagram to explore the Blank Mason experience before you visit.

A Shrinking Share: Village’s Portion of Property Tax Bill Now Less Than 6 Percent

The Skokie Village Board of Trustees adopted a five-year property tax freeze in 1991 – and that freeze remains in effect today!

A shrinking share: While the Village’s property tax levy dollar amount ($15,456,695) has remained the same for 33 years, the Village’s share of an average Skokie property tax bill is now less than 6 percent, compared with 16 percent in 1990.

Upcoming Events

Learn How to Fight Fraud, February 15

The Skokie Police Department invites older adults to attend a free TRIAD presentation this Thursday, February 15, 6:30 p.m., at the Skokie Police Department to help them identify, report and protect themselves from fraud.

What is TRIAD? The initiative brings together police officers, legal representatives, elderly rights advocates and senior citizens for crime prevention and education throughout Illinois.

Navigating Solar Options, February 20

Join the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and the Village for a free presentation on solar energy programs, incentives and benefits!

Join us: Navigating Solar Options will take place on Tuesday, February 20, 6 p.m., at Sketchbook Brewery. All attendees will receive a token for $1 off purchase of a beverage!

Community Job Fair, February 22

Starting your career or in the market for a new position? Attend a community-wide job fair at Oakton College - Skokie Campus on Thursday, February 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free event is presented by Skokie Chamber of Commerce, Oakton College and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Stand out in the crowd: Career services and resume support will be available on site.

Artists Networking Event, February 27

Skokie artists and creatives are invited to attend an Artists Networking Event hosted by the Village's Fine Arts Commission at Sketchbook Brewery on Tuesday, February 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Connect and create: Meet other Skokie artists while learning how the Fine Arts Commission supports the arts in Skokie.

Artificial Intelligence Panel, March 14

The Skokie Telecommunications and Technology (STAT) Commission, in partnership with the Skokie Public Library, will host an expert panel on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and what parents need to know while guiding their children through this emerging landscape.

Save the date: The free event will take place on Thursday, March 14, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Skokie Public Library’s Petty Auditorium. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions in advance.