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September 16, 2025

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Greetings Skokie73.5! 

Here’s what you need to know this week:

👥 Strategic Plan: Help shape Skokie’s future by sharing your input at our Community Visioning Session on October 5.

🍔 Halal eateries: Skokie Review covered new halal dining options opening their doors in Skokie.

♻️ Household hazardous waste: Skokie residents can participate in a free one-day collection event this Saturday in Lake Forest. Registration required.

Photo by Rich Cahan.

Skokie Public Works is continuing annual alley grading operations. Crushed stone alleys are typically graded once per year, with work occurring from the spring through fall, weather permitting.

Progress: View the alley grading progress map:

Pointers: You're responsible for cutting back any overgrown vegetation along your alley. Please take time now to check your alley and make sure it’s clear and accessible.

Note: Public Works crews may assist with alley vegetation management in winter, weather permitting, but during the busy summer and fall months their efforts are focused on road repairs and other essential work.

Photo by Joerg Metzner Photography

MEET YOUR VILLAGE BOARD AT THE MARKET

Get to know some of the members of the Skokie Village Board of Trustees this Sunday at the Skokie Farmers’ Market! Stop by the Village tent (located next to the green Skokie Farmers’ Market tent on the Oakton Street side of the Market) between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Say hello and learn about opportunities to help shape the Village’s Strategic Plan.

WEAVING COMMUNITY

Be a part of Weaving Community, a traveling, hands-on art project for all ages sponsored by the Village’s Fine Arts Commission.

On Sunday, from 8 a.m. to noon, bring an old item of clothing or a piece of leftover fabric to weave into a collaborative wall hanging that grows with every community member’s participation. Just as individual scraps are woven into something stronger, the project reflects the way communities are built—through creativity, connection and shared experiences.

STAY IN THE LOOP

Subscribe to the Skokie Farmers’ Market eNewsletter for a weekly update on entertainment, vendors, activities and more.

Deputy Chief Denise Franklin, Officer Jordan Sherr, and Chief Jesse Barnes.

At the September 15, 2025 Village Board meeting:

Watch a recording of the Village Board meeting for a discussion of these items and more.

Last Friday, Skokie celebrated the ribbon cutting of Soul Good Coffee, located at 4022 Main St.! 

From wheels to walls: What started as a retro mobile coffee trailer has grown into a beautiful brick-and-mortar cafe. Check out Soul Good’s journey from start-up to staple on the Village’s Explore Skokie Instagram and Facebook accounts. 

Supporting local businesses: In 2024, the Village Board approved Storefront Enhancement Program (SEP) grants to help support the buildout of three storefronts at 4012 - 4024 Main St., including what’s now Soul Good Coffee. 

Photo by Joerg Metzner Photography

Congratulations to Kneads & Wants Artisan Bakery and Cafe, which was selected by the Chicago Bears to kick off its 2025 Small Business All-Pros campaign! 

Purpose and pastries: Located at 8042 Lincoln Ave. in Downtown Skokie, Kneads & Wants serves scratch-made pastries, desserts, and breakfast and lunch sandwiches, while supporting the local community through mentorship, training, events and food donations.

Join the Downtown Skokie Merchants Collaborative and Skokie Park District for a one-of-a-kind historical walking tour that combines Skokie’s rich past with the vibrant flavors of today’s downtown area.

What to expect: Led by local historians, this guided stroll on Thursday, September 25 will explore the legacy of beloved landmarks—including former sites like Alberti’s (now Village Inn), Paroubek’s Bakery (now Kneads & Wants), and the area around Duffy’s Tavern (now Take Flight). Along the way, enjoy curated stops with stories, sips and bites!

Reserve your spot: Purchase your tickets today. Tours begin at 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and will last approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

Last week, the Village unveiled a redesigned website! The updated design and content reorganization was informed by user feedback, web traffic analytics and content best practices.

Translating website content: The website’s “Select Language” tool was relocated to just below the search bar, making it easier for visitors to find and use. The tool, powered by Google Translate, automatically translates web page content into more than 100 languages.  

Translating The Scoop: Did you know you can also translate The Scoop? Just click the “View In Browser” link at the top of the email, and then use your web browser’s translation tool (such as Google Translate) to convert text to your preferred language. 

Communications & Engagement Director Patrick Deignan and Communications Manager Meredith Gioia show off the Village’s Silver Circle Award.

Earlier this month, the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) recognized the Village of Skokie for its weekly eNewsletter, The Scoop! Skokie took home the Silver Circle Award for electronic newsletters in communities nationwide with populations of 50,000 to 150,000.

From the judges: The Scoop was recognized for its authentic content, engaging graphics and photos, and commitment to serving its audience (you!).

Join the Skokie Telecommunications and Technology (STAT) Commission for an educational session on AI for Small Business. 

What to expect: This engaging community event will explore how accessible AI tools can help small businesses boost efficiency, improve customer service, and grow sales—without needing a big budget or technical expertise. Learn about real-world use cases in marketing, operations and customer support, and get practical tips to get started. Time will be provided for Q&A.

Where and when: The event will take place Thursday, September 25,  6 p.m., at Skokie Public Library (Radmacher Room) 

Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counselors can help community members navigate Medicare.

Skokie Health and Human Services is now taking appointments for Medicare Open Enrollment, which starts October 15 and runs through December 7, 2025. 

During Open Enrollment, Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their drug and healthcare plans for 2026. Learn about the options and choose a plan that’s right for you. 

Make an appointment: Call Skokie Health and Human Services at 847-933-8252 to make an appointment with a Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Counselor, who can help you navigate the process.

Village staff upgrade a street light with an LED bulb.

On Monday evening, the Village Board approved a two-year contract extension with MC Squared Energy Services (mc2). 

If you receive a renewal notice in the mail: No action is needed. You will remain enrolled in the program and pay the same rate for electricity supply as ComEd’s published tariff rates unless you choose to opt out.

No solicitations: MC Squared will NOT solicit door-to-door or by phone for this program.

How Skokie benefits: By participating in the program, the Village receives a civic grant to support sustainability initiatives. To date, funds have helped the Village convert 2,378 residential streetlights to LED, saving taxpayers on energy costs and reducing Skokie’s carbon footprint.

In the market for an electric vehicle (EV)? Act quickly to take advantage of federal tax credits of up to $7,500, which will expire on September 30. View eligibility guidelines and more information.

EVENTS

PUBLIC MEETINGS

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