A weekly summary of Skokie news sent from the Village right to your inbox.

March 18, 2025

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Greetings Skokie73.5! 

🎶 Secure your four-day pass for this summer’s Out of Space concert series in Downtown Skokie! View the headliners.

🍴 Support Skokie businesses during North Shore Restaurant Month this March.

🏫 Plan ahead for next school year! Many Skokie schools have begun or will soon begin registration.

Early voting at Oakton College on March 17, 2025.

Ready to cast your ballot? Early voting for the April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election is now underway.

Locations: Early voting is available March 17 through 31 at two locations in Skokie:

At both locations, early voting is available Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. View additional early voting locations in Cook County. Note: Skokie Village Hall is not an early voting location.

Reminder on election changes: The April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election will incorporate several changes to Skokie Village Board elections, including the establishment of four geographic trustee districts, staggered terms for elected officials, non-partisan elections and the implementation of term limits. 

The Village is reminding candidates, volunteers and community members of regulations regarding temporary campaign signage.

Why it matters: Village Code regulates signage to ensure clear sightlines and traffic safety, prevent damage to public property, and maintain aesthetic standards throughout Skokie.

What to know: 

Removal process: Village staff remove signs on public property that violate Village code or pose a traffic or safety hazard. Ground signs larger than four square feet on private property are subject to the Village’s property standards enforcement process. 

Sign recycling: Campaign signs can be recycled at Skokie Public Works, 9050 Gross Point Rd., through May 2 (accessible 24/7). Both signs and metal stands will be recycled, but please separate them.

Following adoption of the new Village of Skokie corporate seal on March 17, members of Native communities gathered to sing an honor song commemorating the momentous occasion. Watch the video.

On Monday night, the Skokie Village Board approved an ordinance amending Skokie Village Code pertaining to the corporate seal. The approval follows an extensive design and community engagement process led by a committee of volunteers.

About the design: The new seal features a flame, representing the Potawatomi (Keepers of the Fire) and The Council of Three Fires tribes historically from the region. The design is inspired by the eternal “Skokie Spirit” flame, which symbolizes the collective power and energy devoted to making Skokie a better place for everyone. Learn about the design elements.

Usage: Corporate seals are typically used for authoritative and ceremonial purposes, including on proclamations, official documents, certificates, records and more.

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky speaks to the Village Board on March 17.

On Monday evening, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky joined the Village in celebrating 50 years – and $25 million – in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.

Why it matters: Since becoming an eligible community in 1974, Skokie has received a total of $25 million to support low- and moderate-income residents through various initiatives, including housing rehabilitation, infrastructure improvements, job creation and public services.

Real impact: Watch this two-minute video, which includes testimonials from service organizations who’ve been supported by the Village’s CDBG funds.

Share your input: Take a survey to provide feedback on local housing and community development needs, which will help determine how CDBG funding is allocated over the next five years.

Village Establishes Procedure for Early Identification and Intervention In Incidents of Hate

The Village of Skokie has established a model framework for identifying, reporting, and preventing hate- and bias-related incidents before they escalate into hate crimes.

What to do if you experience or witness a hate or bias incident: Report incidents to the Skokie Police Department. For an emergency or an incident that just occurred, dial 911. For non-emergencies, call 847-982-5900. The Department will conduct an investigation, ensuring due process and the protection of rights of all parties.

Identifying trends: The Skokie Police Department will flag hate and bias incidents that do not rise to the federal definition of a hate crime, and periodically report data and any identified trends to the Village’s Human Relations Commission. 

Preventing escalation: Guided by these reports, the Village’s Human Relations Commission working in collaboration with the Village’s Human Services Division will work to prevent hate crimes and incidents through targeted education, outreach and community building initiatives. 

Flag display at Skokie Festival of Cultures.

On Monday evening, the Skokie Village Board approved an ordinance amending the Human Relations Chapter of Skokie Village Code to reaffirm the current policies and practices of the Village and Illinois State statute regarding immigrants' rights. The Village affirms that immigrant rights are human rights.

As a reminder, our Village Code assures:

Resources: Visit the Immigrant Family Resource Program or Immigration Resources Hub, or contact Skokie Health and Human Services at 847-933-8208.

Looking for rare and vintage items you won’t find anywhere else? Stop by Chez Lu’s Extraordinary Finds, a new business located at 4854 Oakton St. in Downtown Skokie!

What you’ll find: From glassware, to toys, to vintage clothing, Chez Lu’s has curated the perfect mix of past, present, and just plain fun. Every corner is packed with something quirky, something cool, and something totally you! See what treasures we found on the Village's Explore Skokie Facebook and Instagram accounts!

Lender X-Caliber Capital recently filed a foreclosure action against E&M Strategic Development, alleging the developer of the Downtown Skokie hotel project defaulted on its construction loan amidst cost overruns.

Although the Village continues to be frustrated by the pause in construction at this prime Downtown Skokie location, any action taken by the involved parties to resolve their dispute and advance the project are welcomed. The Village is eager to see activity resume as soon as possible, and is optimistic that this latest legal action is a step forward. 

Updates will continue to be shared on the Village’s Downtown Skokie hotel web page.

Photo by Joerg Metzner Photography.

Winter Market On Main this Sunday

The Winter Market on Main returns this Sunday, March 23! The indoor/outdoor market is located at 4051 Main St., and runs twice a month on Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., through April.

This weekend’s lineup: Enjoy music by Nancy Kabat starting at 10 a.m. Kids can stop by the green Skokie Farmers’ Market tent for a recycled art project while supplies last.

New to the Market: Forno Pavese – a pizza food truck serving both breakfast and lunch pizzas!

♻️ Sustainability

Recycling Support for Commercial Properties

Businesses, condos, apartment buildings, houses of worship and other commercial properties that do not yet recycle are eligible for a free 96-gallon recycling cart with once-a-week service. 

Why it matters: This ongoing program helps commercial properties reduce waste and increase recycling at no additional cost. Property managers and business owners may also want to conduct their own waste audit to determine if they can downsize their refuse container to save money or increase recycling. 

How to sign up: To request a recycling cart or learn more, contact LRS directly at 1-844-NEED-LRS. Learn more about recycling services in Skokie.

Composting, too. Commercial properties can also partner with one of the Village’s approved vendors – Collective Resource Compost Cooperative and Wastenot Compost – to establish composting services. 

Skokie Spring Greening, April 6

Ready to declutter? Mark your calendar for Skokie’s Spring Greening recycling event on Sunday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., at Westfield Old Orchard’s west parking lots. 

Accepted items: Bring your old documents for secure shredding, electronics for responsible disposal, and more. Plus, recycle textiles, batteries, and even paint (for a fee). 

Clean Up Your Corner of Skokie, March 10 through April 19

Looking for a simple way to make a big difference? Join Skokie’s Clean Green Litter Pick-Up initiative and help keep our community clean. 

Why it matters: Picking up litter protects wildlife, improves water quality, and fosters community pride—plus, it’s a great excuse to enjoy the fresh spring air!

Sign up: This flexible volunteer opportunity is open to all ages and group sizes, March 10 through April 19. Sign up online or call Public Works at 847-933-8427.

Skokie’s electric aggregation program provides a civic grant to fund sustainability initiatives, such as converting 2,388+ streetlights to LED—saving taxpayer money and reducing emissions. 

Did You Receive a Letter from MC-Squared Energy Services?

The Village's electric aggregation program partner recently mailed letters to select Skokie customers in March as part of a periodic account review. This includes checking for new accounts and reassessing existing ones based on changing energy use. 

Did you receive a letter? Here’s what to know.

The Illinois Secretary of State’s Seniors Only DMV, previously located at the Morton Civic Center in Evanston, has officially moved to a new location at the Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave. 

This facility, which is open to Skokie residents, will continue to serve seniors by appointment only. Seniors can schedule an appointment by visiting ilsos.gov or calling 800-252-8980.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

PUBLIC MEETINGS

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