SkokieNews - Trick-or-Treat, Niles Center Road construction, and more

The latest news from the Village of Skokie

October 24, 2023

Halloween is (Almost) Here!

Check out upcoming Halloween events in Skokie, including the Downtown Skokie Trick-or-Treat this Saturday afternoon and trick-or-treat at the Skokie Farmers’ Market on Sunday!

More spooky fun: The Skokie Park District and Skokie Public Library are also hosting Halloween festivities.

Official Trick-or-Treat, October 31

Official Skokie trick-or-treat hours are Tuesday, October 31, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tips for households: Homes participating in trick-or-treat are encouraged to turn their porch lights on to let trick-or-treaters know they’re open for business! Homes not participating are encouraged to turn their porch lights off and/or post signage (PDF).

Tips for trick-or-treaters: View these safety tips before you leave home. Please don’t trick-or-treat outside of official hours (3 p.m. to 8 p.m.) or ring bells of homes with porch lights turned off.

Sipping on Spooky Stories

A packed house at Take Flight Spirits was treated to some spooky and downright scary stories at last week’s storytelling event, Ghosted, sponsored by the Village’s Fine Arts Commission. Five speakers shared their original true stories of being ghosted in both the traditional and more “modern” sense of the word to an audience enjoying tasty cocktails.

Photos: Local photographer Richard Cahan captured the storytellers in action as part of the Village’s “Skokie Snapshot” series. Check them out on the Village’s Facebook page.

Don’t Let a Good Pumpkin Go to Waste

This Halloween season, give your pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns an afterlife…as compost!

Bring them to Oakton Street and Floral Avenue on Sunday, November 5, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for the Village’s annual composting event. View pumpkin composting guidelines.

Afterwards, don’t forget to shop at the Skokie Farmers’ Market across the street – November 5 is the final Market of the 2023 season!

Skokie Welcomes Two New Firefighters

Meet the newest members of the Skokie Fire Department team, firefighters Bryce Herr (center) and Eric Radziszewski (center right)! Eric and Bryce were sworn in at last week's Village Board meeting. Congrats and welcome!

Construction Notice: CTA Work Planned at Niles Center Road

Niles Center Road will be closed to all through traffic from Main to Dempster Streets beginning Thursday, November 2 through Saturday, November 11 as the CTA completes railroad crossing maintenance work. Only local traffic will be permitted.

Work will take place on weekdays and weekends, with the potential for round-the-clock work as needed. The CTA will work to minimize inconveniences. View travel and neighborhood impacts.

Safely Dispose of Prescription Drugs, October 28

Bring unwanted, unused, and expired prescriptions for safe disposal at the Skokie Police Department this Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as part of the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) Prescription Takeback Day. View guidelines.

Coming Soon: Daily Pulse Service On Dempster

Beginning Sunday, October 29, the Pulse Dempster Line will operate every day! With faster, limited-stop service operating every 15 minutes for most of the day, Pulse represents a significant increase in bus service along Dempster Street.

Four Ways to Support our Community

Support the Performing Arts, October 28

The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts Foundation will host its annual benefit this Saturday, October 28 at 6:30 p.m., featuring Isaac Mizrahi as he makes his North Shore Center debut!

Support the North Shore Center: Purchase tickets to the show and benefit, plus bid on silent auction items. All proceeds benefit the North Shore Center Foundation’s work to support youth programming, enhanced accessibility, and other important projects.

Donate Diapers, November 4-10

The Village’s Commission on Family Services is hosting a donation drive, November 4-10, to collect one of the most requested items for families: diapers. All donations will benefit the Niles Township Food Pantry, which serves local families in need. View ways to donate.

Donate Blood, December 14

The Village is partnering with Versiti Blood Centers of Illinois to host a blood drive on Thursday, December 14, from noon to 6 p.m. at Village Hall, 5127 Oakton St., in the lower level community room. Schedule an appointment.

Support Local Families In Need

The Village’s Assist-A-Family Campaign provides holiday gift cards to low-income Skokie families who are struggling to meet needs, and supports Skokie residents with unpaid rent or utilities due to a financial hardship.

You can make a difference: This program is made possible through donations from the community. Donate online to support local families.

Shout out: Thank you to the Walmart store at 3626 Touhy Ave. for recently making a generous $1,500 donation to the Skokie Assist-A-Family Campaign!

Boomers and Beyond Resource Fair, November 3

Join the Village’s Commission on Family Services for the Boomers and Beyond Community Resource Fair on Friday, November 3 at Oakton Park.

What to expect: Receive information and expert advice about local resources, community-based programs, state and federal benefits, fitness and nutrition, legal assistance, financial products, lifelong education, senior housing, assistive devices and more. Health screenings will also be offered.