A weekly summary of Skokie news sent from the Village right to your inbox.
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Greetings Skokie73.5!
Here’s what you need to know this week:
📣Village flag: Share your input on Village flag finalist designs by March 8.
🤢 Stay healthy: Free flu and COVID-19 shots will continue to be available at Village Hall on Wednesday afternoons in March.
🗳️ Cast your ballot: Early voting has begun for the Gubernatorial Primary Election.
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The Village’s speed limit campaign mascot, Cruz, unveils a new 25 mph sign.
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Now In Effect: 25 mph Residential Speed Limit
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As of March 1, a 25 miles per hour (mph) speed limit is in effect for most residential streets in Skokie. The change from 30 to 25 mph was approved by the Village Board last summer as part of a broader effort to create safer, more livable neighborhoods.
Enforcement: Skokie Police are focusing on education and voluntary compliance during the initial rollout. Targeted, data-informed enforcement will follow, focusing on locations where speeding has historically been a concern.
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Village of Skokie Buildings and Inspection Services counter.
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Upgrades Complete: Building Permit Portal Back Online
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The Village has completed planned upgrades to its building permit and inspection application system. Thank you for your patience.
What’s new: The Village’s transition to a cloud-based system will improve system reliability and boost efficiency, laying the foundation for faster permit turnaround times and future customer-facing upgrades.
Start planning your projects: Permit activity increases as the weather warms. If you’re planning home improvements, additions, fences, decks, sheds, driveways, or other exterior work this summer, now is the perfect time to start planning and submit your permit application.
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Board Briefs: March 2, 2026
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At the March 2, 2026 meeting, the Skokie Village Board:
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Appointed new members to the Village's Board of Health, Commission on Family Services, Economic Development Commission, Performing Arts Center Board, Public Safety Commission and Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission
- Approved appointment of Mayor Tennes as director and Village Manager Lockerby as alternate director to the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) Board of Directors
- Approved modifications to the previously approved site plan for a mixed-use office-to-residential conversion with 245 units at 5202-5250 Old Orchard Road.
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Established a Skokie Youth Commission to amplify youth voices, promote civic engagement and strengthen connections between youth residents and Village government.
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Skokie Police personnel completed 31,000 hours of professional training in 2025.
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Beyond the Badge: Skokie Police Train for Success
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The Skokie Police Department has built a culture of continuous training to ensure officers are prepared to meet the highest standards of the profession while serving our community – in everyday interactions and in the moments that matter most.
By the numbers: The Skokie Police Department’s sworn and civilian members completed a combined 31,000 hours of training in 2025 – nearly 300 hours per member.
Go deeper: The department’s 2025 training calendar prioritized life-saving skills, with every sworn officer completing recertification in CPR and Narcan administration. Additional training focused on de-escalation tactics, use-of-force, high-risk traffic stops and much more, all with the goal of keeping community members and officers safe.
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Immigrant Rights, Resources and Public Safety
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The Village of Skokie values inclusion, dignity and respect for all, and is committed to providing safe access to Village services and protecting the rights of all who live in our community, regardless of immigration status.
If you have a public safety concern or are concerned about the legitimacy of any observed law enforcement activity, dial 911. Skokie police – including a supervisor – will be dispatched to respond.
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WHAT SKOKIE POLICE WILL DO:
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Utilizing their professional law enforcement training, Skokie Police officers will:
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Support public safety and work to prevent incidents from escalating
- Document observed activity – including the identities of those involved – to the extent possible
- Act as a liaison between residents and federal agents to mediate disputes
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Activate body-worn cameras when responding to calls for service or conducting law enforcement activities – including but not limited to crowd and traffic control, traffic or pedestrian stops, and investigations – in accordance with department policy and state law.
- Attempt to verify the identity of any person taken into custody
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WHAT SKOKIE POLICE CANNOT DO:
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Federal law prohibits local police from interfering with federal agents engaging in authorized duties. This means that Skokie Police cannot:
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Interfere with or impede federal law enforcement or immigration enforcement operations, including stopping federal law enforcement vehicles conducting authorized duties
- Prevent federal agents from detaining or questioning individuals
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Supporting our community: The Village and the Skokie Police Department recognize the uncertainty and fear many continue to experience during this unprecedented time, and reaffirm that Skokie is a place where everyone is valued and respected. Learn more about Village policies, actions and community resources.
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🛍️ Business and Economic Vitality |
Doors open at the new Barnes & Noble.
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Success Story: Barnes & Noble Opens New Skokie Location
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Skokie celebrated the next chapter for Barnes & Noble, which opened a brand new location at Westfield Old Orchard last week!
Doors open: ABC7 Chicago covered the bookstore’s ribbon cutting, which was the first of several in the Chicago area and brought many excited readers to Skokie.
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Half Century of Deliciousness: Hub’s Celebrates 50 Years
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Congratulations to Skokie’s own Hub’s Restaurant, which celebrated 50 years in business this past Sunday!
American dream: Proprietor Tony Thanoukos arrived in the U.S. from Arcadia, Greece with only $2 in his pocket. On March 1, 1976, he realized his dream by purchasing Hub’s. Over the last 50 years, the restaurant has become a multigenerational legacy and an SNL comedy icon. Tony met his wife, Ann, at the restaurant in the late 70s, and today, their children and grandchildren continue the tradition.
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Bike lanes on Main Street.
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Church Street Bike Lanes Project Underway
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Temporary traffic signal installation at Church Street and Niles Center Road is underway as part of the Church Street bike lanes project.
Traffic signal work is expected to be completed by Friday, March 13. During this time, there will be daily lane closures, but two-way traffic will be maintained.
Next steps: Following traffic signal installation, curb replacement will be completed along Church Street between Niles Center Road and Crawford Avenue to accommodate vehicle, parking and bicycle traffic, followed by pavement striping. All work is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2026.
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CTA Yellow Line train with transmission infrastructure overhead.
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ComEd Plans Overnight Transmission Infrastructure Work; Weekend CTA Service Impacted
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Starting March 6 and taking place over several weekends this spring, ComEd will upgrade overhead transmission structures along the CTA rail corridor in the area of Main Street. CTA Yellow Line rail service will be replaced with free shuttle bus service on designated weekends.
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New outdoor warning siren system being installed.
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Coming Soon: Enhanced Outdoor Warning Siren
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Installation of Skokie’s upgraded emergency warning siren system is nearing completion, with work anticipated to conclude this month.
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Voice Messaging: In addition to traditional warning tones, the new siren system will broadcast clear voice messages with specific safety instructions.
- Improved Coverage: Four additional sirens are being installed throughout the Village to improve sound clarity and provide more consistent coverage.
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The Village Board approved the enhancements in June to strengthen the Village’s ability to notify residents during severe weather events and other emergencies.
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Spring Ahead: Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday
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Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 8 at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to set clocks forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.
While you’re at it: The time change is a good opportunity to change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
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❤️🩹 Health and Human Services |
Environmental Health Officer Lillian LaSanta conducts an alley inspection.
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Spring Into Action Against Rats
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Warmer weather and new vegetation can create ideal conditions for rats if areas are not properly maintained. Overgrown alleys, dense vegetation and clutter provide shelter and food that allow rats to return quickly.
Village staff continue to develop and implement new programs to further reduce rat activity, but long term success depends on you.
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- Remove overgrown vegetation, weeds and grass regularly
- Properly dispose of yard waste
- Avoid piling debris and items in alleys
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PROPERLY MANAGE YOUR TRASH
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This month, the Village will enhance enforcement of trash storage requirements in areas experiencing high rat activity. Village Code requires all garbage to be securely bagged and placed inside an approved trash cart with the lid fully closed. Garbage may not be stored on the ground or next to carts.
Staff will conduct inspections prior to scheduled trash pickup days. Violations may result in citations and fines.
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Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held at Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton St.
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5127 Oakton St. | Skokie, IL 60077 US
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