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June 17, 2025

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Greetings Ivan! 

Here’s what you need to know this week:

🏛  Village Hall will be closed for Juneteenth on Thursday.

☀️ Hot and humid weather is expected this weekend. Review places to stay cool.

🎸 The Wednesdays on the Green outdoor concert series continues this week with Feel Good Party Band.

A 25 miles per hour sign on Laramie Avenue.

On Monday, the Village Board approved a recommendation to set a speed limit of 25 miles per hour (mph) for most residential streets in Skokie. The current speed limit is 30 mph unless otherwise posted.

Why update the residential speed limit:

Exceptions: The 25 mph residential speed limit does not apply to State or County–owned roadways; residential streets with an existing 20 mph speed limit; and select residential streets based on specific traffic considerations.

What’s next: The updated speed limit for residential streets will go into effect on March 1, 2026.

At the Monday, June 16 Village Board meeting:

Watch the video recording of the meeting for the Board’s discussion of these items and more.

Skokie Village Hall will be closed in observance of Juneteenth this Thursday, June 19.

Collections will occur as follows this week:

Skokie Public Works crew grading a crushed stone alley. (Photo by Rich Cahan.)

Skokie Public Works is completing annual alley grading operations throughout Skokie. Alleys are typically graded once per year, with work occurring from the spring through early fall, weather permitting.

Plan ahead: View the anticipated alley grading progress map.

Help us out: Inspect your alley and trim back any overgrown vegetation to help crews do their job.

The Village is in the process of searching for a permanent corporation counsel, which serves as legal advisor to the Village. The Village will be considering options of hiring an in-house corporation counsel or retaining an outside, contractual firm.

Next steps: Mayor Tennes is appointing a six-person panel to review applications and proposals from interested individuals and firms, and is seeking two local attorneys to participate.

Interested? Apply to serve on the panel by Tuesday, July 8. The process is expected to occur in August and September 2025.

Artist Joe Folise unveiled his mosaic at Monday’s Village Board meeting.

On Monday evening, artist and former Village staff member Joe Folise unveiled a mosaic of the new Village seal adorning the Council Chambers at Skokie Village Hall.

Historic connection: The mosaic features smalti – small colored glass tiles – produced by the Orsoni live-fire furnace in Venice, Italy.

Get to know Joe: Folise – an artist specializing in stained glass, sculpture and mosaic works – served in the Village’s Public Works Department for 37 years, retiring in 2012. He was instrumental in many public art projects in Skokie, including selecting and installing works for the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park.

About the seal: The Village adopted a new seal in March 2025 following a committee-led public design and engagement process. Learn about the new seal design, created by local artist Mary Fedorowski.

On Monday, the Village Board approved the purchase of a new emergency alerting siren system that will improve Skokie’s ability to notify the public during severe weather events and other emergencies. Installation of the upgraded system is expected to be completed in the fall.

Why it matters: The outdoor warning sirens are Skokie’s primary tool for alerting residents to severe weather. Timely, clear alerts can save lives.

What’s new:

Stay tuned for more updates as the installation progresses.

Photo courtesy of Puttshack.

The wait is over! Tech-infused mini golf experience Puttshack opens this Wednesday at Westfield Old Orchard, bringing a new 30,000 square foot social entertainment venue to Skokie!

It’s all in the hips: Perfect your putting and experience four highly competitive, tech-driven nine-hole courses, or book a Challenge Hole mini golf suite for your group.

Finishing strong: Puttshack is the final addition to the former Lord & Taylor space, which is also home to Arhaus, Zara and Pottery Barn, as part of Westfield Old Orchard’s ongoing redevelopment and transformation into a multifaceted lifestyle destination.

Are you a licensed mental or behavioral health professional living or working in Skokie? The Village of Skokie invites you to make a meaningful impact by joining our Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).

What is MRC? The MRC is a network of volunteers who assist during public health emergencies and support initiatives that promote community well-being.

Why Join?

If you’re a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), psychologist, psychiatrist, school counselor, or other licensed mental health professional, we want you on our team!

Whether you’re catching a ballgame, visiting a museum, or seeing your favorite band, make the trip easy by riding the CTA. 

As part of the next phase of its Structural Deficit Reduction Plan, District 65 is exploring the possibility of additional school closures or consolidations. Learn more and view upcoming engagement opportunities on the District 65 plan page.

MORE EVENTS

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held at Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street.