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:
💻 Protect yourself from cybercrime: The Village’s STAT Commission will host a fraud and cybersecurity seminar this Thursday evening.
🚲 Heads up: The Skokie Valley Trail Multi-Use Path will be closed between Oakton and Main Streets the week of November 3-7 for resurfacing.
✨ Ignite your creative spark: Register for The Creativity Lab with Victoria Reeves at The Storefront before the first session on October 30!
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Skokie Farmers’ Market vendor Patyk Farms donated 500 pounds of potatoes to the Niles Township Food Pantry on Friday.
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Helping Hands: Food Assistance and Resources During the Federal Government Shutdown
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are anticipated to be disconnected in November due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. See the resources below for ways to support your neighbors or receive assistance.
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SKOKIE FARMERS' MARKET DONATION DRIVE, NOVEMBER 2
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Drop off non-perishable food items at the Skokie Farmers’ Market tent this Sunday, November 2, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All donations support the Niles Township Food Pantry, which assists local families in need. Note: Clothing items will not be accepted at the Market this Sunday.
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MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT THE NILES TOWNSHIP FOOD PANTRY
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Drop off donations Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Niles Township Food Pantry, 8341 Lockwood Ave., in Skokie.
Most needed items include cooking oil, cereal, pasta, rice, canned meats and household essentials, such as toilet paper and diapers size 4-6.
Donate online: You can also make a financial donation online.
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If you’re a resident of Niles Township, register to receive food by visiting the pantry during open hours or calling 847-983-0073. New households should bring a state ID or drivers license. If your ID is expired or has the incorrect address, bring a utility bill or credible piece of mail that is current.
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Photo by Joerg Metzner Photography.
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Update On Village Efforts to Protect Community Members’ Rights
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The Skokie Village Board continues to consider ways to further protect community members’ rights and preserve safe access to Village services for all residents amid ongoing federal immigration enforcement activities in the Chicago area.
This topic will be an agenda item at the next Village Board meeting, which will take place on Monday, November 3, at 7:30 p.m., at Skokie Village Hall.
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In advance of the next Village Board meeting, the Village is taking the following actions:
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- Staff are reviewing opportunities to further strengthen existing Village policies and protections for residents and businesses, and will present recommendations to the Board
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The Village is developing an internal protocol for Village employees to report potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activity on Village property
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RECENT ACTIONS AND RESOURCES
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The Village’s Human Relations Commission developed an immigrant rights and resources flyer (PDF), which has been distributed to community partners, including schools, houses of worship and nonprofit organizations
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The Village created a webpage to share information related to immigrant rights and resources
- The Village has proactively engaged with community stakeholders, residents and impacted community members to better understand their needs and provide support services
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The Village upholds the Illinois TRUST Act, which prohibits local law enforcement from participating in federal immigration enforcement operations or detaining individuals based solely on citizenship or immigration status, except under a valid criminal warrant. Community members concerned about the legitimacy of any observed law enforcement activity are encouraged to contact the Skokie Police Department by dialing 911.
In addition, the Skokie Village Code affirms the Village's commitment to the rights of all individuals no matter their citizenship or immigration status, which includes restricting access to Village facilities for immigration enforcement or investigation purposes. The Village Code affirms specifically that immigrant rights are human rights, assuring:
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- All residents are entitled to access all Village services and benefits – including police and fire emergency and non-emergency services – regardless of citizenship or immigration status.
- Village staff or officials will not ask for citizenship or immigration status for any reason.
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Mayor Tennes addresses community members at the October 27, 2025 Human Relations Commission meeting at the Skokie Police Department.
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Standing Together Against Hate
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On Monday evening, the Human Relations Commission discussed a hate crime that took place in Skokie on October 7, 2025, and provided community members an opportunity to share their perspectives, experiences and concerns. The Commission then began developing ideas for programming and education to strengthen community bonds and prevent future incidents from occurring. (See the Skokie Police Department’s October 24 update.)
October is National Hate Crimes Awareness Month: Hate crimes and bias incidents affect not only individuals but the entire community. The Skokie Police Department works to help residents understand what these crimes are, how to report them, and how we can all help prevent them from happening in our community. Learn more hate crimes and bias incidents on the Village’s webpage.
Report incidents: If a crime is in progress, call 911 immediately. To report a non-emergency hate crime or bias incident, call the Skokie Police Department at 847-982-5900, email Crime.Prevention@Skokie.org, or text “Skokie” to 226787 to submit an anonymous tip.
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Mayor Ann Tennes, former Village Manager Al Rigoni (representing the Rotary Club of Skokie Valley) and Trustee Lissa Levy commemorate Polio Eradication Awareness Day.
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Village Board Briefs: October 21, 2025
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At the October 21, 2025 Village Board meeting
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Proclamations were issued recognizing Polio Eradication Awareness Day and Extra Mile Day
- New firefighters Jack King and Michael McFarland were sworn in
- The Beautification and Improvement Commission presented awards to 31 winning properties
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Cory Plasch of CP2 Consulting presented community input gathered from the Strategic Planning survey, focus groups and community visioning session. View the slideshow presentation (PDF) and video recording.
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The Village shared an overview of the Skokie Community Solar Program
- The Board discussed a recommendation to create a Housing Fund and Skokie Housing Land Trust
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The Board reviewed an ordinance amending Village Code to allow more residents to serve on the Appearance Commission and Telecommunications and Technology Commission, and to change the name of the Telecommunications and Technology Commission to the Technology Advancement and Transformation Commission.
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Trick-or-treaters at the Downtown Skokie Trick-or-Treat event this past Saturday, October 25.
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Official Trick-or-Treat, Friday, October 31
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Planning your Halloween trick-or-treat route? Official Skokie trick-or-treat hours are 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. this Friday, October 31.
Look for the light: Participating homes are encouraged to turn porch lights on to let trick-or-treaters know you’re open for business. Not planning to participate? Turn your porch light off and consider posting a sign (PDF) to save trick-or-treaters the trouble of ringing your bell.
Safety first: Trick-or-treaters, increase your visibility by placing reflective tape or stickers on costumes, carrying a flashlight, or wearing a glow-in-the-dark bracelet. Drivers, please use extra caution.
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Chucking a pumpkin at the 2024 Pumpkin Smash event.
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This Sunday: Help Smash Skokie’s Pumpkin Composting Record
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Give your pumpkins and jack-o'-lanterns a second life as compost at Skokie’s Pumpkin Smash on Sunday, November 2, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the lot at the northwest corner of Oakton Street and Floral Avenue, across from the Skokie Farmers’ Market.
Why it matters: Composting keeps pumpkins out of landfills and turns them into nutrient-rich soil.
Pumpkin guidelines: To keep the compost clean, please remove all candles, yarn, stickers, googly eyes, plastic and metal before dropping off your pumpkin. Painted pumpkins are fine—most acrylic paint is compostable.
Join the fun and smash your own pumpkin for a hands-on sustainability experience!
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Learn About Community Solar, October 29
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Interested in benefitting from solar energy without adding rooftop panels? Learn about the new Skokie Community Solar program at a public information session this Wednesday, October 29, 5:30 p.m. at Skokie Public Library.
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. Enroll in Skokie Community Solar.
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Meet Your Village Departments, November 5
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Meet Village representatives and become more familiar with Village services and programs at the Meet Your Village Departments event at Skokie Public Library (Radmacher Room) on Wednesday, November 5, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
What to expect: Drop in to talk with Communications and Engagement, Health and Human Services, Public Works and more. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is a partnership with Skokie Public Library.
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Live Well, Age Well: Resource Fair for Older Adults, November 7
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Aging in Skokie? Don’t miss Live Well, Age Well, a free health and wellness resource event for older adults at Oakton Park Community Center on Friday, November 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
What to expect: You’ll receive information and expert advice about local resources, Medicare, financial products, assistive devices, fitness and nutrition, senior housing, social activities and cognitive wellness. Free health screenings, refreshments and giveaways will also be available.
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Godspell at Music Theater Works, Through November 16
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For over 50 years, Godspell has charmed audiences with its mix of music, improv and unforgettable pop and rock hits like “Day by Day” and “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord.” This Music Theater Works production brings a disconnected community together in a cozy coffee shop, discovering forgiveness and radical love.
Get excited: Kyle Dougan, producing artistic director, and Tanya Jenkins, Curt’s Café executive director, recently shared the excitement on WGN’s Midday Fix.
Get tickets: Catch Godspell now through November 16 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie—don’t miss the fun!
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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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