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:
🏠 Understanding your property reassessment: The Cook County Assessor’s Office will be in nearby Niles this Thursday to help property owners review reassessment notices and provide guidance on appeals and exemptions.
⛄ Holiday fun: Ride the CTA Holiday Train on the Yellow Line. View the schedule.
🎁 Need a gift idea? Pick up a “Start Your Day In Skokie” travel mug at participating businesses.
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Community members share input at the Village’s Strategic Plan Community Visioning Session on October 5. (Photo by Joerg Metzner Photography)
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Have Your Say On the Future of Skokie!
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We want to hear from you on the draft goals and desired outcomes of the Village’s Strategic Plan—a roadmap to guide community priorities and resources for the next five years and beyond.
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STRATEGIC PLAN OPEN HOUSE
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When: Thursday, December 11, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Skokie Public Library, Radmacher Room
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Drop in any time during the open house to:
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- Explore draft Strategic Plan goals
- Share feedback and priorities directly with Village staff
- Help shape future community direction and success measures
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Your input will be compiled and shared with the Village Board to support final decisions on plan goals and outcomes. The completed Strategic Plan is expected to go before the Village Board for adoption in January 2026.
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Since August, the Village has conducted a comprehensive public engagement process to help shape the plan’s goals and desired outcomes. Feedback has been collected through a community survey, small focus groups and a Community Visioning Session.
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🍂❄️ December Leaf Collection Update
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Public Works crews are continuing leaf collection operations over the next two weeks, as weather allows.
Context: Two early season snowfall events – combined with a later-than-typical leaf drop for many trees – impacted leaf collection operations.
Next steps: As snow cleanup continues, plow operators are avoiding visible leaf piles to the extent possible. Crews will return to these areas as weather conditions permit to collect remaining leaves.
Questions or concerns? Submit a service request using Access Skokie or contact Public Works at 847-933-8427.
Thank you for your patience as crews work through seasonal challenges to keep our streets clear.
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Mayor Ann Tennes, Niles Township Trustee Marie Benyamin and Village of Skokie Trustee Jim Iverson recognize the Niles Township Food Pantry’s contributions to Skokie.
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Village Board Briefs: December 1, 2025
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At the December 1, 2025 meeting, the Village Board:
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Recognized December 2025 as Niles Township Food Pantry Awareness Month. Support the Niles Township Food Pantry by donating directly or dropping off items in need.
- Celebrated FLX Move Pilates as 2025 Skokie Business of the Year. See the related article below.
- Approved a recommendation to expand the Village’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program to include self-selecting properties. See the related article below.
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Established the Village’s 2025 Property Tax Levy & Abatement. Watch the December 1 presentation and review the FAQs.
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Received a status update on property litigation for 4930 Oakton Street – the Downtown Skokie hotel site – from the Village’s outside legal counsel. See the related article below.
- Advanced a request by Walmart at 3534-3654 Touhy Ave. for amendments to its Site Plan Approval ordinance to accommodate the addition of 10 electric vehicle (EV) charging spaces, including two ADA-accessible spaces.
- Advanced Site Plan Approval and Special Use Permit for the demolition and reconstruction of the existing McDonald’s restaurant at 5360 Touhy Ave. See the related article below.
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Technician completes a lead service line replacement.
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Skokie to Expand Lead Service Line Replacement Program
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On Monday evening, the Village Board approved a recommendation to expand the Village’s Lead Service Line Replacement program to include self-selecting households.
What’s a water service line? A water service line brings water from the Village’s public water distribution system to your home or business. Before 1986, water service lines were commonly constructed of lead. Today, copper is the standard material. The state and federal government have mandated replacement of all lead water service lines over the next several decades.
The Village’s Lead Service Line Replacement program caps a private property owner's costs for the private side replacement of lead at $3,090 (adjustable annually as costs rise), and allows homeowners to finance this cost over 15 years at very low interest through their water bill.
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Under the current program, participation is limited to either instances of an emergent situation (such as a leak) necessitating an immediate repair, or as part of a larger water main replacement project.
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Under the expanded program, households with private lead water service lines will be able to self-select to participate in the cost-share program – even if they don’t have a leak or a water main replacement project scheduled for their block. The Village will work with self-selecting properties to schedule projects as resources are available.
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Next steps: Funding for the necessary staff and equipment to implement the expanded program – which will eventually ramp up to 688 replacements per year – will be identified as part of the Village’s Budget process for the next fiscal year, which begins in May 2026.
By January 1, 2026, the Village will provide details about the process for enrolling in the program.
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🏆 Business and Economic Development News |
FLX Move Pilates supporters strike a pose—and a plank—to celebrate their well-deserved award.
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Congratulations to the 2025 Skokie Business of the Year…
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…FLX Move Pilates! Founded by Andrea Metcalf, FLX Move Pilates opened at 5039 Oakton St. in March 2024 with a mission to make health and wellness accessible to all.
The Village’s Consumer Affairs Commission recognized FLX Move’s:
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Strong community spirit, including offering free Pilates classes at the Skokie Farmers’ Market, inviting residents of all ages and abilities to experience the benefits of movement and mindfulness.
- Continued investment in Skokie, opening a second studio at 5117 Brown St.
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Sustainability practices, including using biodegradable, nontoxic wipes and energy-efficient LED lighting to minimize environmental impact.
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McDonald’s On Touhy Plans a Rebuild
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At Monday’s meeting, the Village Board advanced plans for the demolition and reconstruction of the McDonald’s located at Touhy Avenue and Niles Center Road.
Improvements will support digital operations growth, improve vehicle circulation, and enhance sustainability.
Key sustainability features align with the Village’s Environmental Sustainability Plan goals, including high-efficiency building systems, a high-performance building envelope, on-site solar panels and low-carbon construction materials.
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Oakton Street Hotel Property Update
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On Monday evening, the Village provided an update on litigation related to 4930 Oakton St., the Downtown Skokie hotel site. Underlying litigation between project parties has been hindering the development of the property.
The latest: In October, an arbitration panel determined that the project contractor, Russell, had priority over the project lender, X-Caliber, in future arbitration proceedings. The panel then set the next arbitration hearing for lienholders involved in the litigation for September 2026 – an unexpected and unprecedentedly long delay.
Next steps: Although the Village is not a party to the litigation, staff and counsel are communicating with X-Caliber, Russell, and other project partners to identify an expedited path that resolves the underlying litigation.
Watch the update provided at the December 1 Village Board meeting.
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💉 Health and Human Services |
Giving Tuesday: Support the Assist-a-Family Program
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Mental Health Crisis Resources in Skokie
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When there’s a medical crisis, calling 911 can be a life-saving act. But did you know that Skokie is prepared for mental health emergencies, too? In Skokie, the 911 Call Center not only sends Police, Fire or medical support – it may also activate the Skokie Co-Responder Team, which pairs a mental health professional with a Skokie police officer.
The Co-Responder Team helps de-escalate situations involving mental health issues, connects individuals to services, and provides follow-up support. Their goal is to keep people safe while ensuring they receive appropriate, compassionate care.
If the situation is not an immediate threat to life, residents can call 9-8-8, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for free and confidential support 24/7. Counselors are available by phone, text, or online chat.
Skokie residents also have access to additional crisis resources:
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- Turning Point Crisis Line: 847-933-9202
- Trilogy Crisis Line: 800-322-8400
- NAMI Crisis Text Line: Text “NAMI” to 741-741
- Asian Human Services Crisis Line: 773-293-8488
- Illinois Warm Line: 866-359-7953
- Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline: 877-863-6338
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Turning Point Living Room, 8324 Skokie Blvd., is open 24 hours a day and provides a calm walk-in alternative to the emergency room.
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We encourage all residents to know these resources and share them with friends, family and neighbors.
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Register: Community Blood Drive, December 18
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Give the gift of hope at the Skokie Community Blood Drive on Thursday, December 18, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Skokie Police Department, 7300 Niles Center Rd.
Give blood: Sign up for an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome. All donors will receive a Holiday Versiti Sweatshirt, while supplies last.
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‘Tis the Season to Recycle Holiday String Lighting
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Skokie Public Works is once again offering the popular Holiday Lights Recycling Program in partnership with Elgin Recycling. Now through January 31, you can drop off strands of holiday lights in the collection container located outside the Skokie Public Works main entrance at 9050 Gross Point Rd. The container is accessible 24/7.
Accepted items: Mini lights, C7 and C9 lights, rope lights, LED lights, and extension cords. No other decorations are accepted.
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Safer Trips All Winter Long
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Winter weather can make every trip a little trickier. Snow and ice can reduce visibility, narrow lanes and increase stopping distances, so a little extra caution goes a long way.
Drivers
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- Clear all windows, mirrors, and lights before driving.
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Reduce speed and give yourself plenty of room to stop.
- Keep watch for pedestrians stepping around snowbanks and cyclists riding closer to traffic.
- Cold weather causes tires to lose pressure, which can reduce traction, so check your tire pressure often.
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- Wear bright or reflective clothing when it’s dark.
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Walk on cleared sidewalks and take small, steady steps on icy patches.
- Snow piles may block sidewalks—if you must go around them, walk facing traffic and get out of the street as soon as possible.
- Use caution near snow piles that make it harder for drivers to see you.
- Be patient at crossings. Drivers need more time to stop, even when they see you.
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Keep lights on at all times—visibility drops during snow and early sunsets.
- Consider wider tires and ride more slowly on slippery surfaces.
- Ride predictably in narrowed lanes so drivers can see you and anticipate your movements.
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By staying alert and looking out for one another, we can keep Skokie’s streets safe in every season. For more safety tips for everyone on the road, explore the Village’s Traffic Safety in Skokie page.
| Participants enjoying the 2024 Holiday Cookie Walk. (Photo by Rich Cahan)
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Sweet Stroll: Get Your Tickets for the Downtown Skokie Holiday Cookie Walk
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Stroll through the heart of Downtown Skokie on December 13, explore participating businesses and collect a unique, commercially baked, individually wrapped cookie at 20+ stops along the route. Get your tickets
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Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held at Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street.
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5127 Oakton St. | Skokie, IL 60077 US
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