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November 5, 2024

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Greetings Skokie73.5! 

🇺🇸 It’s Election Day! Find your polling location and learn about a term limits referendum on the ballot.

☃️ November 4-8 is Winter Weather Preparedness Week. Review Skokie’s alternate-side parking rules, which go into effect after a snowfall of two inches or more.

🪖 Veterans Day is Monday, November 11. Village Hall will be open and refuse collections will occur as normal. Thank you to all who have served.

A property tax bill in Skokie includes approximately 10 taxing entities, with elementary and high school districts making up 72 percent of a typical bill. The Village’s share of a typical property tax bill is less than 6 percent.

If you lived in Skokie in 1990 and still have a record of your property tax bill, you might notice that the Village’s property tax levy has not changed in 35 years!

How it started: The Village Board adopted a five-year property tax freeze in 1991 and has extended it every year since. On Monday evening, the Board reviewed the 2024 property tax levy of $15,456,695, which marks the 34th year of the policy to freeze the levy amount, and the 35th year the Village has levied the same exact amount of property taxes on Skokie properties.

How it impacts you: Had the Village’s property tax levy been adjusted for inflation every year:

The demolition of 4900-06 Oakton St. creates a future opportunity to extend Lamon Avenue north from Oakton and create a more direct connection between the Illinois Science + Technology Park (pictured) and Downtown Skokie.

On Monday evening, the Village Board approved plans to demolish the vacant building at 4900, 4904 and 4906 Oakton St. – the former site of Annie’s Restaurant and two adjacent storefronts.

Creating a connection: Demolition of the building provides a future opportunity to create a direct connection to Downtown Skokie for workers and visitors at the Illinois Science + Technology Park.

Redevelopment opportunity: Following demolition, Village staff will market the property to potential developers for a mixed-use development.

Twenty-eight properties were recognized at Monday’s Village Board meeting.

On Monday evening, the Village’s Beautification and Improvement Commission presented its annual Beautification Awards to 28 Skokie properties for landscaping excellence!

Great gardens: The top five property owners received the new “Skokie Best” award, and several properties were recognized as “pollinator pantries” for incorporating native plants and creating habitat for pollinators. All winners received a commemorative yard sign. Congratulations to all!

Looking for New York-style pizza (and more) in Downtown Skokie? Look no further than Slyce, now open at 4849 Oakton St.!

On the menu: The Village’s Explore Skokie Instagram and Facebook account offers a taste of what to expect at the new eatery.

Improving commercial corridors: In May, the Village Board approved a $35,220 Storefront Enhancement Program (SEP) grant to support the $100,000+ buildout of the new restaurant. 

Drop off political signs for recycling at Skokie Public Works, 9050 Gross Point Rd., through Friday, November 22.

What to know: Drop-off bins are located outside of the main Public Works building entrance and are available 24/7. Both plastic yard signs and metal stands are accepted and should be placed into the same bin, preferably separated.

Recycle holiday lights, too! Public Works is also offering holiday light recycling in partnership with Elgin Recycling through January 31. There is a separate drop-off container for these items.

Good gourd! Skokie collectively composted more than 2.6 tons of pumpkins at Sunday’s Pumpkin Smash collection event. 

Why it matters: Composting enriches soil and diverts methane-producing organic waste from the landfill.

CTA will perform track cleaning and maintenance on the CTA Yellow Line from Howard to Dempster Streets on Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10. Work will be continuous from early Saturday morning through Sunday night. 

Free shuttle bus available: CTA will operate a free bus shuttle in both directions between the Dempster and Howard stations, stopping near the Oakton Street station. The shuttle will operate every 15 minutes on Saturday and Sunday, from 6 a.m until 11:30 p.m. 

With daylight hours dwindling and clocks turned back, it’s more important than ever to be visible on the road. Review three fall safety tips for cyclists.

Test your knowledge: Take the Ride Illinois Bike Safety Quiz. The interactive teaching tool covers safety techniques and state laws, and is a learning resource for both drivers and bicyclists.

More tips: The Village’s Public Safety Commission provides traffic safety guidance for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers additional tips for drivers and bicyclists.

IDOT will repave a portion of southbound Crawford Avenue, between Grant Street and Golf Road, over the next week. Be alert for changed conditions in the work zone.

The Skokie Farmers’ Market wrapped up its 49th season this past Sunday! Thank you to everyone who supported and patronized the market this year.

Delicious donation: Special thanks to R & B Miller Farms, which generously donated an estimated 1,200 pounds of apples to the Niles Township Food Pantry – the market’s largest donation ever – at the conclusion of the market this past Sunday.

Looking ahead: The Skokie Farmers’ Market’s 50th season will kick off on Sunday, June 1, 2025. We’ll see you there!

Skokie Public Works makes outdoor cleanup a breeze this fall! 

Leaf collection: Seasonal leaf collection operations (pictured) have begun and will continue through early December, weather permitting.

Yard waste: Weekly yard waste collection will continue through Wednesday, November 13.

Pro tip: 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, or mulch leaves into your lawn.

Looking for opportunities to support your community? Come explore the organizations serving Skokie and opportunities for those 16 and older.

Drop in at Volunteer Palooza at Skokie Public Library (Cosmos Room) on Sunday, November 24, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Take part in the 2nd annual Downtown Skokie Holiday Cookie Walk on Saturday, December 7, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Collect a unique holiday cookie at 16 downtown businesses. Get your tickets.

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