SkokieNews - Summer Outdoor Concerts, Sustainability Plan Progress, and More!

March 5, 2024

Progress Report: Skokie Strides Towards Sustainability

The Village has published its first annual Environmental Sustainability Plan progress report detailing dozens of actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance sustainability community-wide.

The highlights: Read about some of the major accomplishments from the past year, including the launch of free food scrap composting locations, solar energy adoption, tree plantings, and more.

The stat: In just its first year of implementation, the Village has completed or initiated work on 105 of 189 action items – more than half of those outlined in the Plan.

Summer of Music: New Outdoor Concerts Coming to Skokie!

Summer 2024 will bring major new outdoor music events to Skokie!

Off North Shore: Skokie Music Festival: North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie will hold this first-ever outdoor festival on June 21 and 22 at Skokie Sports Park East! Tickets are now available.

Out of Space: This exciting outdoor concert series comes to downtown Skokie July 26-28! The lineup and additional details will be announced soon.

Returning in 2024: Your favorite summer music events will return in 2024, including Wednesdays on the Green, live music at the Skokie Farmers’ Market, the annual Backlot Bash, and more. Details will be available as summer approaches.

A new multi-use path on Old Orchard Road will provide direct access to the North Branch Cook County Forest Preserve Trail (pictured).

On the Horizon: Old Orchard Road Improvement Project

This month, the Cook County Department of Transportation will begin a major roadway improvement project on Old Orchard Road, from Woods Drive to Skokie Boulevard. View the project details.

What we’re excited about: The project will include a new multi-use path on the south side of Old Orchard Road, providing direct access to the North Branch Cook County Forest Preserve Trail, as well as new turn lanes at the I-94 eastbound ramp to Old Orchard Road and more.

Not as exciting: During construction, impacts to traffic will include lane closures on Old Orchard Road, as well as I-94 exit and entrance ramp closures. Please allow for additional travel time.

Apply Today: Join the Skokie Police Department Team

Ready to serve your community? The Skokie Police Department is hiring!

Join the team: The Department is accepting entry-level police officer applications until April 1, 2024. Candidates should apply through the National Testing Network portal. Please share with any aspiring police officers in your life.

Skokie Creatives Come Together

More than 60 local artists mixed and mingled at the Fine Arts Commission’s recent Artists Network Event at Sketchbook Brewery! Thank you to all those who attended and made the night a resounding success.

You Dined, We Deliver!

We enjoyed a virtual dining tour of Skokie during restaurant month this past February thanks to community members who shared photos of their food and themselves! Congratulations to Munuri (@woori_721), who highlighted Blue Kale Café and was randomly selected as the winner of a full day of food and fun in Skokie ($150 value).

Ready to Cast Your Ballot?

Early Voting for the March 19 Presidential Primary Election is taking place March 4 through 18. Visit the Cook County Clerk’s web page for information on early voting locations (including the Skokie Courthouse), voter registration, and more.

Coffee and Compliments on Oakton Street

Where can you get an ego boost and a caffeine boost? Stop in at Complimentary Café on Oakton Street!

The Village’s Explore Skokie Facebook and Instagram accounts highlighted the Skokie coffee shop on World Compliments Day, March 1.

Wanted: Your Art On Skokie’s New Refuse Truck!

Help call attention to the Village’s Environmental Sustainability Plan goal of reducing landfill waste community-wide!

Skokie students in grades 5-12 are invited to share their original artwork inspired by the theme, “Reducing Waste.” Two winning submissions will be featured on the Village’s brand new refuse truck. Submissions are due March 17.

Don’t Forget: Spring Ahead this Sunday

Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 10 at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to set clocks forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.

While you’re at it: The time change is a good opportunity to change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Updated Guidance for COVID-19, Flu and RSV

New CDC guidance no longer requires those who test positive for COVID-19 to isolate for a minimum of five days before returning to work or other activities. Instead, guidance focuses on isolation until symptoms improve – which could be shorter or longer than five days. Get the details.

Key recommendation: Those with any seasonal respiratory virus should stay home and away from others until their symptoms improve.

Protect yourself: Immunizations remain a core prevention strategy to lower risk from respiratory viruses. For most people, that means getting a current flu and COVID-19 vaccine.