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

October 7, 2025

View in browser

Greetings Skokie73.5! 

Here’s what you need to know this week:

🤗 Volunteer: Explore opportunities at 20+ organizations at the 2nd annual Volunteer Palooza event at Oakton College on October 19.

👮‍♀️ Public safety: Attend a beat meeting this October to chat with the Skokie Police officers who patrol your neighborhood.

💉 Flu shots: There’s still time to register for your free flu shot at two clinics this month.

Community Visioning Session on October 5. (Photo by Joerg Metzner Photography.)

Thank you to the 100+ community members who shared their bold ideas for Skokie’s future at our Strategic Plan Community Visioning Session this past Sunday at Niles West High School!

Next steps: Public input gathered at the Visioning Session, along with data from 12 focus group discussions and a community survey (available through October 11), will be presented to the Village Board on October 21, and will help inform the development of the Village's Strategic Plan.

Niles Township Food Pantry is one of the local resources available to assist community members.

During the ongoing federal government shutdown, residents experiencing an unexpected loss of income or other economic hardship are encouraged to review local resources and support services available to assist them.

Fall leaf collection begins next week! Leaves are collected every five to seven days, weather permitting. Please do not rake leaves into the street prior to Saturday, October 11. Please remember:

Another option: Leaf them alone. Fallen leaves are great for your soil, adding nutrients to lawns and landscaping. Simply rake a few inches into your garden beds or mulch them directly into your lawn with a mulching mower.

Save money and support environmental sustainability by taking advantage of two offers from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

Free trees: Pick up a free native tree sapling at the O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant, 3500 Howard St., on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon through October. Trees can reduce flooding by soaking up rainwater, lower energy bills, and provide habitat for wildlife, among other benefits.

Discounted rain barrels: Discounted rain barrels are available for only $21.50 (or $10.75 for ages 65+) while supplies last. You can use rain barrel water to wash your car, water your lawn or garden, or clean work boots, tools and bikes.

Interested in benefitting from solar energy without adding rooftop panels? Learn about the new Skokie Community Solar program at an upcoming public information session:

What is Skokie Community Solar? The new program allows ComEd customers to subscribe to a local solar project and receive monthly bill credits worth up to 15 percent of their electricity bill.

Fall is the perfect time to prepare your garden for winter while keeping it alive for the bees, butterflies, and other insects that rely on it. Learn how to put your garden to rest for the season and discover when and how to “wake it up” again in early spring.

The presentation, led by Liz Vogel of North Branch Natives, takes place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 16 at Skokie Public Library in cooperation with the Skokie Beautification and Improvement Commission.

Registration is required. If you don’t have a library card, call 847-673-7774 to sign up.

Mark your calendar for the annual Downtown Skokie Trick-or-Treat event on Saturday, October 25, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., along Oakton Street and Lincoln Avenue.

Work by artist Yolanda Castrejon now on display at The Storefront.

Enjoy art, creativity and connection with events and exhibitions at The Storefront, 4051 Main St., this fall.

EXHIBITION: YOLANDA CASTREJON

October 6-12, open daily from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. (free admission)

The Village’s Fine Arts Commission and Confuzed Gallery proudly present the inaugural art exhibit at The Storefront, featuring vivid, detailed paintings by Skokie’s own self-taught artist, Yolanda Castrejon.

WORKSHOP: UNLOCK YOUR IMAGINATION AT THE CREATIVITY LAB

Thursdays, October 30, November 6 and 13, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ($100 for three sessions)

Participate in a three-session creative workshop for writers, artists, explorers and curious humans from writer/storyteller/coach, Victoria Reeves. Through guided exercises and micro-goals, you’ll rediscover your sense of wonder and creative flow—no experience required! Register in advance.

EVENT: LET'S EAT COOKIES AND TALK ABOUT DEATH

Wednesday, November 19, 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. ($17.85)

Join us for an evening of true stories, cookies and connection presented by Scrappy Affirmations. This gathering explores how relationships can continue—and even grow—after a loved one has passed. Buy tickets.

The Village’s Health and Human Services Department is hosting a free STI and HIV testing pop-up clinic in partnership with Calor/AHF on Monday, October 20, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Skokie Village Hall (Lower Level). Walk-ins available; no insurance required.

MORE EVENTS

PUBLIC MEETINGS

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