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January 27, 2026

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Greetings Skokie73.5! 

Here’s what you need to know this week:

🎄 Last call for lights: Drop off holiday string lighting for recycling at Skokie Public Works through Saturday.

🎻 Making music: The Record North Shore highlighted Seman Violins, which has helped establish Skokie as “the violin capital of the country.”

💼 Summer jobs: The Village is hiring for seasonal positions in Public Works, Finance and Fire. Learn more and apply!

Skokie resident Aimee shared this photo of a friendly T. Rex plowing its block. Who says dinosaurs don’t like cold weather?

Skokie Public Works crews have completed sidewalk and alley plowing following this past weekend’s snowfall. Although alternate-side parking restrictions have concluded for this event, Village plows continue to visit areas throughout Skokie as needed to salt and push back snow. All trash and recycling collections are on schedule.

A team effort: Clearing snow is a community-wide effort. You can do your part by moving your vehicle(s) when alternate-side parking is in effect and keeping your sidewalk clear so that people – and dinosaurs – can travel safely.

Chief Nicholas Eschner, Firefighter Joseph Dickert, Firefighter Avery Albiola, and Deputy Chief Adam Pease.

At the January 20, 2026 meeting, the Village Board:

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

Photo by Joerg Metzner Photography.

Thank you to WGN and Fox 32 Good Day Chicago, which recently highlighted Skokie’s Winter Market on Main!

Cold can’t stop us: Thank you to the many patrons and vendors who bundled up and braved the cold and snow to visit the Winter Market this past weekend.

Happening this Sunday: The next Winter Market on Main is this Sunday, February 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at 4022 and 4051 Main St. In addition to plenty of fresh produce and handmade goods, market activities include:

Stay up to date on Skokie Farmers' Market vendors and activities by subscribing to the seasonal weekly newsletter. We hope to see you Sunday!

Photo by Rich Cahan.

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING AND DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION, JANUARY 31

The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) will host an electronics recycling and document destruction event at the Glenview Transfer Station, located at 3 Providence Way in Des Plaines, this Saturday, January 31, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This drop-off opportunity is free and open to Skokie residents.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION, FEBRUARY 11

As a Skokie resident, you can arrange to have household hazardous waste materials – such as household cleaners, lawn chemicals, automotive fluids and more – picked up from your home as part of a program offered by the Village of Skokie, SWANCC and Clean Harbors. 

The next pickup date in Skokie is Wednesday, February 11. Request a pickup online. An $81 fee applies, but can be shared by neighbors when combining materials for collection.

Vaccination is the most effective first line of defense against flu and COVID-19, significantly reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death.

Protect yourself: Skokie Health and Human Services (SHHS) offers free flu shots for Skokie residents on Wednesdays in January. The next clinic is this Wednesday, January 28, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall (lower level), 5127 Oakton St. No appointment is needed—walk-ins are welcome.

Beginning in February, SHHS will expand these clinics to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations in addition to flu shots, held on Wednesdays at the same time and location.

Additional options: COVID-19 and RSV vaccines are also available for eligible residents through the Vaccines for Children and Adult Immunization Program.

While antiviral medications can help when flu or COVID-19 occurs, prevention remains key. Staying up to date on vaccinations—along with frequent handwashing and staying home when sick—helps keep everyone healthier.

Do you receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)? Federal changes mean that as of February 1, 2026, more SNAP recipients will be considered Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents who must meet or be exempt from work requirements to qualify for SNAP.

The Illinois Department of Human Services has sent initial notices and a copy of an exemption form to all current and new customers who are directly impacted.

What you can do: Skokie residents who may be affected by the 2026 SNAP changes are encouraged to take action early and use the following resources:

The Village’s Health and Human Services Department is sharing prenatal care information and resources to support healthy pregnancies in Skokie.

What is prenatal care? Prenatal care is the healthcare you receive during pregnancy. Seeing a doctor early and attending regular appointments helps support the health of both you and your baby and increases the chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Why it matters: Access to quality healthcare is a key priority of the Village’s Community Health Improvement Plan, helping ensure healthier outcomes for families across Skokie.

Special thanks to Girl Scout Troop #45676 – a joint troop from Walker School and Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies – who led the Village Board in the Pledge of Allegiance at the January 20 meeting.

Prior to the meeting, the scouts completed a Village Hall scavenger hunt and visited with Mayor Tennes!

Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now open for new and returning PreK - 8th grade students in Skokie-Morton Grove District 69! Learn more about the District 69 registration process.

New District 69 families are encouraged to attend an upcoming registration help event at the District Office (5050 Madison St., Skokie):

Live in another Skokie school district? Check with your Skokie School District about registration events, processes and key dates.

EVENTS

PUBLIC MEETINGS

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