A weekly summary of Skokie news sent from the Village right to your inbox.
|
|
|
Crews installed new water transmission main infrastructure at two locations within the system that were similar to where the February 14, 2025 water loss event occurred.
|
Strengthening Our Water System: Findings from February Main Break and What’s Ahead
|
At Monday’s Village Board meeting, engineering and scientific consulting firm Exponent shared findings related to its investigation of the February 14, 2025 water transmission main failure near East Prairie Road and Emerson Street.
The Village initiated the analysis immediately following the incident to determine the cause and prevent future issues from occurring.
|
Exponent’s analysis indicated that the water loss occurred in the 36-inch transmission main due to the separation of an end cap from a pipe fitting manufactured in 1956. The separation was most likely caused by gradual deterioration of the cap and seal, and inadequate restraining force.
|
A review of Village water records indicated that two other locations within the Village's water transmission system had "wye" pipe fittings similar to the one that failed in February. As part of the investigation, crews excavated, analyzed and replaced fittings at both locations, updating infrastructure and adding new concrete restraints.
|
The Village is preparing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for engineering and technical services to conduct an assessment of the transmission main system—specifically pipes that are 20 inches in diameter and larger–to guide future risk and rehabilitation planning.
|
Board Approves Native Land Acknowledgement Statement
|
On Monday evening, the Village Board approved and authorized the Village’s Landmark Statement recognizing the ancestral homeland of Native peoples. View the statement on the Village website.
How it started: The action follows the Board’s approval of a new Village seal in March, which honors the history of Skokie’s land, Native communities from the region, the promise of Skokie’s future, and the richness of Skokie’s multicultural community.
|
Skokie Police officers on bike patrol.
|
Working Together Towards a Safer Skokie
|
Earlier this week, leaders and staff from the Village of Skokie, Skokie Police Department and Skokie Park District met to discuss neighborhood and park safety following the October 7, 2025 antisemitic hate crime at Shawnee Park. Staff and leaders shared information about current policies and protocols, as well as ideas to enhance collaboration and community safety moving forward.
See something, say something: If you have an immediate public safety concern or emergency, call 911. You can also report non-emergency issues to the Skokie Police Department at 847-982-5900.
|
Nourishing Skokie: Farmers’ Market Donations Support Local Families
|
This summer and fall, the Skokie Farmers’ Market community came together to collectively donate 9,100 pounds of food to support Skokie families! And even though the season’s over, the generosity hasn’t stopped.
Two farmers recently drove to Skokie to support our neighbors:
|
-
R & B Miller Farms graciously donated over 28 bushels of apples
- Myra and John Patyk delivered four huge bins filled with potatoes, cabbage and squash
|
The Board granted Site Plan Approval for a 66-unit, mixed use development at 8201-8209 Skokie Blvd.
|
Village Board Briefs: November 17, 2025
|
At the November 17 Village Board meeting:
|
- The Village’s Board of Health and Health and Human Services Department presented the 2025 Public Health Partners of Excellence Awards to Chicago House and Howard Brown Health, Early Childhood Alliance, and the Endeavor Health Infection Prevention Team.
-
Engineering and scientific consulting firm Exponent presented its investigative report related to the February 14, 2025 water loss event.
-
The Board advanced a proposal for the Village’s 2025 Property Tax Levy and Abatement. View 2025 Property Tax Levy FAQs and watch the presentation.
-
The Board approved a contract with MKSK to design Main Street Commercial Corridor streetscape improvements.
- The Board granted Site Plan Approval for the construction of a 66-unit mixed-used development at 8201-8209 Skokie Blvd., including 6 units designated as affordable at 60 percent AMI.
-
The Board passed a resolution approving and authorizing the Village’s Landmark Statement recognizing the ancestral homeland of Native peoples.
- The Board advanced a Plan Commission recommendation for a Special Use Permit for a limited-service restaurant at 3358 Main St.
|
|
|
Last week’s snowfall caused delays in leaf collection. Not to worry – crews will continue collecting leaves throughout Skokie through early December.
Help us help you: The equipment cannot reach leaves between or near parked cars, so please park away from leaf piles if possible.
Help your yard: Did you know that fallen leaves can help improve soil quality and provide nutrients to landscaping and lawns? Try raking a few inches of leaves into your landscape beds this fall, or mulch leaves into your lawn.
|
Skokie plows prepare to hit the streets. (Photo by Rich Cahan.)
|
Be Ready for Snow: Alternate-side Parking Explained
|
After last week’s first snowfall, it’s a good time to brush up on the Village’s alternate-side parking rules. They kick in any time Skokie gets two inches or more of snow.
How it works:
From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. after a snowfall of two or more inches:
|
- Even dates (like December 12) - Park on the side of the street with even-numbered addresses
- Odd dates (like December 13) - Park on the side of the street with odd-numbered addresses
|
- Visit the Village website
- Call the Snow Hotline: 847-675-SNOW (7669)
-
Sign up for Smart911 text alerts
- Watch for a snow edition of The Scoop (if you’re reading this email, you’re already subscribed)
- Listen for the 7 a.m. emergency siren
|
Extra parking:
During snow emergencies, you can park your car off-street in these Village lots:
|
- Oakton Street (between Walgreens & Crafty Beaver)
- Dempster St. Skokie Swift lot (enter via Gross Point Rd.)
- Skokie Blvd./Searle Pkwy Skokie Swift lot
|
The big picture:
Alternate-side parking helps Village plows clear streets curb-to-curb, which keeps roads safer and emergency access open all winter.
|
|
|
♻️ Health and Human Services |
Clockwise from top left: Chicago House, Early Childhood Alliance, Howard Brown Health, Endeavor Health Infection Prevention Team.
|
Recognizing Our ‘Public Health Partners of Excellence’
|
At the November 17 Village Board meeting, the Skokie Health and Human Services Department (HHS) and Board of Health honored four outstanding community partners as part of the 15th Annual Public Health Partners of Excellence Awards. These awards recognize organizations whose collaboration and support strengthen public health services for Skokie residents.
|
-
Chicago House & Howard Brown Health were recognized for hosting bi-monthly walk-in STI clinics at Village Hall and providing HIV/STI testing, prevention education and referrals for care. Their team also partnered with HHS to offer MPOX, COVID-19 and flu vaccines, removing barriers by serving patients without appointments, ID or insurance.
-
The Early Childhood Alliance of Niles Township received an award for its work ensuring that children from birth to age five have access to early learning, family support and essential services. With multilingual family liaisons and strong connections to healthcare, benefits and early education programs, the Alliance helps reduce disparities and strengthen both school readiness and community well-being.
-
The Endeavor Health Infection Prevention Team was recognized for its vital partnership in communicable disease investigations. Their timely coordination, provider outreach and collaboration with HHS help ensure accurate case management, patient advocacy and effective outbreak prevention.
|
Congratulations to the awardees and thank you for your commitment to Skokie’s health and wellness.
|
Teens: Help Your Community and Earn Extra Cash
|
Looking for a flexible way to earn money and make a difference in your community? The Village’s TeenLink Program connects Skokie teens with residents who need help with seasonal yard work, such as mowing, weeding, raking and snow shoveling.
Get started: Teens ages 13 to 19 who live in Skokie can join by completing the online TeenLink application. Once enrolled, your name will be added to a list that residents use to contact teens directly to arrange jobs and payment.
Need assistance? Call 847-933-8208 to learn more about TeenLink.
|
|
|
Kick Off the Holidays with a Skokie Coffee Treat
|
Start your holiday shopping on Small Business Saturday, November 29, with a gift that keeps on giving! The “Start Your Day in Skokie” travel mug offers a free cup of coffee or tea every day in January 2026 and will be available for $40 while supplies last at these participating locations:
|
- Will’s Place, 7927 Lincoln Ave.
-
Qahwah House, 5238 Touhy Ave.
- Complimentary Cafe, 4933 Oakton St.
- Blue Kale, 4907 Oakton St.
|
A portion of each sale benefits the Skokie Community Foundation, making it a perfect way to shop local and give back.
|
2024 Downtown Skokie Holiday Cookie Walk. (Photo by Rich Cahan)
|
Get Your Tickets: Downtown Skokie Holiday Cookie Walk, December 13
|
|
|
Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held at Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street.
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
5127 Oakton St. | Skokie, IL 60077 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to rsinker@sd735.org.
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|
