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August 6, 2024

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Greetings Ivan! 

👨‍🚒 The Skokie Fire Department is hiring! Apply by this Friday, August 9.

🍂 Get a $50 rebate (while supplies last) for the purchase of an electric-powered leaf blower.

🌽 It’s National Farmers’ Market Week! See what’s happening at the Skokie Farmers’ Market in August.

Bring the family to Oakton Park tonight, Tuesday, August 6, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., for National Night Out. The free community event will have fun for all ages, including:

What it’s all about: The national initiative aims to make neighborhoods safer, better places to live by building stronger police-community partnerships.

Through Tuesday, August 20, all Skokie residents age 18 and over are invited to take Skokie's 2024 Community Survey, which asks for ratings on Village services, quality of life in the community, and much more. The survey takes about 17 minutes to complete and all responses are confidential. 

Did you receive a survey in the mail? If you received the 2024 Community Survey by mail at your home over the past month (printed or invitation card), please complete and submit that version. 

Due to popular demand, we’ve added our 10th free food scrap drop-off site at Schack Park, 6940 Laramie Ave. (The bins are located at Coyle and Lockwood Avenues.) Thank you to Skokie Park District and Niles Township for their continued partnership.

What to compost: All food scraps are accepted; loose food scraps preferred. DO NOT place plastic or plastic bags in compost bins. 

Breaking records: The Skokie community composted more than 24 tons in June and 26 tons in July – our highest monthly totals ever!

Get started: Watch this 45-second step-by-step video to start composting and help achieve Skokie’s Environmental Sustainability Plan strategy of reducing the amount of methane-producing organic waste sent to the landfill.

On Monday night, the Village Board approved the purchase of several electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to support further electrification of the VIllage’s fleet.

The details: Two fast charging stations and three wall-mounted chargers will be installed at the Skokie Police Department, and dual port charging stations will be installed at both Skokie Public Works and the Skokie Fire Department. Chargers will be used for municipal fleet vehicles only.

On July 27, more than 650 vehicles participated in the household chemical waste collection event at Niles North High School! 

Thanks to our partners: The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO), Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC), City of Evanston, and Niles Township High Schools District 219.

Future events: Check SWANCC’s website for future collection events and drop-off locations.

The dog days of summer have brought a new boutique pet supply store to Downtown Skokie. Up, Pup, & Away has a great selection of food, treats, toys and accessories for your dog or cat. 

Find out what Explore Skokie's canine best friend thought about the addition on Instagram or Facebook.

Photo (clockwise from top left): 2023 Skokie Business of the Year Soul Good Coffee and honorable mentions Take Flight Spirits, Qahwah House, and Charcoal Oven.

The Consumer Affairs Commission is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Business of the Year! 

Nominate a business: Which store, service or business provides the most outstanding service to you? Complete the online nomination form or stop by the 2023 Business of the Year (Soul Good Coffee) or honorable mentions (Take Flight Spirits, Qahwah House or Charcoal Oven) to complete a paper form. 

On Monday evening, the Village Board recognized Kaleidoscope Dance, which is celebrating 20 years in Skokie!

Two decades of dancing: Since opening at 3944 Church St. in 2004, Kaleidoscope Dance has welcomed thousands of dancers of all ages and abilities through its doors.

Did you know: Kaleidoscope Dance owner Heather Jackson choreographed the Skokie Police Department’s award winning lip sync challenge video, which has amassed nearly 7 million views!

Beginning this week and lasting for approximately four weeks, overnight work will take place on the Old Orchard Road bridge over the Edens Expressway. Two-way traffic will be maintained throughout the work.

Why overnight work is needed: Certain construction and demolition activity on the bridge requires lane closures on I-94, and those lane closures are only allowed overnight.

Stay informed: View the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways project web page for updates. 

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