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March 3, 2026

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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. 

The Village’s speed limit campaign mascot, Cruz, unveils a new 25 mph sign.

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. 

Village of Skokie Buildings and Inspection Services counter.

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.

At the March 2, 2026 meeting, the Skokie Village Board:

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

Skokie Police personnel completed 31,000 hours of professional training in 2025.

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.

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. 

WHAT SKOKIE POLICE WILL DO:

Utilizing their professional law enforcement training, Skokie Police officers will:

WHAT SKOKIE POLICE CANNOT DO:

Federal law prohibits local police from interfering with federal agents engaging in authorized duties. This means that Skokie Police cannot:

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.

Doors open at the new Barnes & Noble.

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.

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. 

Bike lanes on Main Street.

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.

CTA Yellow Line train with transmission infrastructure overhead.

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.

New outdoor warning siren system being installed.

Installation of Skokie’s upgraded emergency warning siren system is nearing completion, with work anticipated to conclude this month. 

WHAT'S NEW

WHY IT MATTERS

The Village Board approved the enhancements in June to strengthen the Village’s ability to notify residents during severe weather events and other emergencies.

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.

Environmental Health Officer Lillian LaSanta conducts an alley inspection.

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. 

KEEP ALLEYS CLEAN

PROPERLY MANAGE YOUR TRASH

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.

EVENTS

PUBLIC MEETINGS

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