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March 11, 2025

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Greetings Ivan! 

🗳️ Early voting takes place March 17-31 in Skokie. Election Day is April 1.

🥕 Explore composting options in Skokie, including free drop-off sites.

❤️ Volunteer to assist Health and Human Services in supporting heart health

After last year’s success, Out of Space, the popular outdoor concert series, is returning to the North Field at Illinois Science + Technology Park for three nights of music: Thursday, July 24 through Sunday, July 27.

2025 Lineup:

Exclusive Presale Access for The Scoop Subscribers!

As a valued subscriber to The Scoop, you get early access to tickets for Out of Space before they go on sale to the public! Beginning today, grab your 4-day GA ($149.50) or VIP ($360.00) passes and get 4 shows for the price of 3—more music, no extra cost! But hurry, these passes are in limited quantity.

To purchase tickets, visit the ticketing site and enter access code: SKOKIE2025.

Early voting for the April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election will take place March 17 through 31 in Skokie.

What’s on the ballot

The 2025 Consolidated Election will include the Skokie Village Board elected offices of mayor, clerk, at-large trustee and district trustee and a citizen-initiated referendum to decide whether to adopt ranked-choice voting (RCV) for future elections (see story below). Use Cook County’s “Your Voter Information” tool, at cookcountyclerkil.gov, to find details about your ballot, polling place, elected officials and more.

Early voting will be available March 17 through 31 at two locations in Skokie:

At both locations, early voting will be available Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please note: Village Hall is not an early voting site

In the upcoming April 1 Consolidated Election, Skokie residents will have the chance to vote on a citizen-initiated referendum to decide whether to adopt ranked-choice voting (RCV) for future elections. The Village provides this information to ensure residents are informed, but does not advocate for or against the adoption of ranked-choice voting.

View the referendum text on the Cook County Clerk’s Office web page.

What is Ranked Choice Voting?

Ranked-choice voting (RCV) is an electoral system where voters rank candidates by preference on their ballots. Here’s how it works:

(Ballotpedia, 2025)

Do Other Cities in Illinois Have Ranked Choice Voting?

Evanston approved ranked-choice voting for municipal elections in November 2022, but has encountered legal challenges that are still under review.

What are the possible positives and negatives of RCV?

(Excerpt from KTJ’s memo from July 15, 2024 Village Board agenda packet)

Ranked-choice voting is considered by some to offer potential benefits, such as reducing negative campaigning. Candidates may aim to earn second- and third-place rankings, leading them to appeal to a broader range of voters. Proponents also suggest that RCV could reduce the influence of money in politics by encouraging candidates to seek support from a wider base. (Better Government Association, 2025)

Some have expressed concerns that ranked-choice voting could lead to voter confusion, particularly if voters do not rank multiple candidates or make errors in their rankings. There are also concerns about the potential for more spoiled ballots and the added costs of implementation, such as the need for updated ballot-counting technology and additional voter education. (Better Government Association, 2025)

History: Skokie Village Board Consideration

After several public discussions on ranked-choice voting in 2024, the Village Board decided not to move forward with placing a ranked-choice voting referendum on the November 5, 2024 Presidential Election ballot, citing, among other factors, concerns related to the lack of legal provisions in Illinois state law.

The Village Board’s consideration of the issue included a review of a draft referendum and resolution developed by legal experts from the law firm Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins, Ltd (KTJ), as well as resources detailing the potential advantages and disadvantages of such systems.

KTJ’s draft referendum, resolution and resources can be found in the agenda packets from those meetings:

This week demolition began on the vacant building at 4900, 4904 and 4906 Oakton St. – the former site of Annie’s Restaurant and two adjacent storefronts.

Creating a connection: Demolition of the building provides a future opportunity to create a direct connection to Downtown Skokie for workers and visitors at the Illinois Science + Technology Park.

Redevelopment opportunity: Following demolition, Village staff will market the property to potential developers for a mixed-use development.

CDBG Community Needs Survey 2025

The Village of Skokie is launching a survey to gather feedback on local housing and community development needs, which will help determine how Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding is allocated over the next five years.

CDBG funds, provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), are used to support housing and community projects for low- and moderate-income residents.

The survey can be made available in different languages and formats upon request. For assistance, contact Justin Malone at 847-933-8411 or email cdbg@skokie.org.

With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to secure a seasonal job that offers both valuable work experience and the satisfaction of contributing to your community. 

Village of Skokie Summer Seasonal Positions
The Village of Skokie is hiring for a range of seasonal positions across multiple departments, including Finance, Fire, and Public Works. These roles offer valuable experience and the satisfaction of contributing to the community. Applicants must be 18 years or older. Interested candidates can visit the employment page to download and complete the application.

Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation (M-NASR) Seasonal Roles
M-NASR is also hiring for various seasonal positions, including Summer Day Camp Counselors, Summer Inclusion Assistants, Camp Site Directors, and Camp Drivers. These roles are perfect for individuals looking to make a positive impact on the lives of those with disabilities. M-NASR offers a fun, rewarding environment with starting wages of $16+/hr. To apply, visit the M-NASR Employment page.

Ready to declutter? Skokie’s Spring Greening recycling event is back on Sunday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Bring your old documents for secure shredding, electronics for responsible disposal, and more. Plus, recycle textiles, batteries, and even paint (for a fee). 

A Cleaner Alley, A Rat-Free Skokie: You Can Help!

As spring approaches, it's time to tackle overgrown vegetation behind your fences. Dense plants attract pests, trap debris, and create safety hazards. Skokie residents are required to clear vegetation along property lines to reduce rat activity and improve neighborhood cleanliness.

What you can do:

Preventing Rats: Secure trash, promptly pick up pet waste, limit bird feeding, and manage compost properly to reduce food sources for rats.

Report Rat Activity: If you spot rat signs, report them at nomorerats.org. Let’s work together to keep Skokie pest-free!

Electric Aggregation Letters Mailing This Week

Skokie’s electric aggregation program, in partnership with MC Squared Services, provides a civic grant to fund sustainability initiatives, such as converting 2,388+ streetlights to LED—saving taxpayer money and reducing emissions. Why the civic grant? Unlike past programs, individual account savings are so minimal that that administrative and mailing costs may exceed savings. Instead, the Village secures the civic grant to fund community projects.

Why Did You Receive a Letter?

MC Squared Services periodically reviews accounts to ensure they still contribute to the grant program. This includes checking for new accounts and reassessing existing ones based on changing energy use.

What Do You Need to Do?

Expect to receive a follow-up letter from ComEd confirming any changes. Please note this program never solicits door to door. For details, visit Skokie’s Electric Aggregation page.

The Spring 2025 issue of NewSkokie is on its way to your mailbox, bringing the latest community news, updates, and events! This edition features key highlights, including:

Whether you’re looking for community program info, event details, or project updates, the Spring 2025 NewSkokie is your essential resource for all things Skokie.

Can't wait? View a digital copy of the newsletter.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

PUBLIC MEETINGS

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