SkokieNews - 2024 construction projects, bakery opening, and more

May 14, 2024

🚧 2024 Capital Improvement Project Map

Significant capital improvement projects are planned throughout Skokie in 2024, including street resurfacing, bridge repairs, multi-use path improvements, lighting upgrades, and more.

Explore: View an interactive map of ongoing and upcoming capital improvement projects.

👏 Youth Artwork Featured On Skokie’s New Refuse Truck

Artwork from two Skokie students has been installed on the Village’s new refuse truck following Skokie’s first-ever Refuse Truck Youth Art Contest.

Congratulations to Leo Malatesta of Niles North High School and Max Babakhani of McCracken Middle School, whose artwork was selected to adorn the truck by public vote.
Thank you to the more than two dozen students in grades 5-12 who submitted outstanding original artwork reflecting the contest theme, “Reducing Waste,” calling attention to the Village’s Environmental Sustainability Plan goal.

Explore Skokie

🎂 Two Sweet Additions to Skokie

Sweet Reserve Bakery

Skokie rolled out the red carpet for Sweet Reserve Bakery, which celebrated its grand opening at 4845 Oakton St. on Friday.

Dunkin’ at Dempster and Lockwood

Dunkin’ on Dempster Street and Lockwood Avenue is now open. The new location includes a drive thru.

🎉 Now Open: The Hijab Vault

The Hijab Vault, 4843 Oakton St., is a thriving boutique sourcing products from Turkey, China, Kuwait and Jordan and offering a rotating selection of custom printed patterns and seasonal styles. Take a look on the Village’s Explore Skokie Facebook and Instagram.

🌳Village Crossing Garage Demo Underway

Demolition of the two-story parking structure behind the Village Crossing shopping center at 7000 Carpenter Road is underway, and is expected to be completed by mid-June.

What’s coming: The structure will be replaced with a new surface parking lot and will include a net increase of 200 trees spread throughout the property, increasing the Village’s tree canopy coverage and species diversity.

🚒Starting this Week: Hydrant Flushing

Starting this week, the Skokie Fire Department will begin seasonal fire hydrant flushing to ensure optimal water flow, clarity and quality. The program will continue throughout the summer at locations throughout the Village.

🍅 Win Compost for Your Garden

Congratulations to Iida Borges and Betsy White, winners of the Composting Challenge Giveaway! Both will receive a compost starter kit.

Didn’t win? Don’t worry! The Village is hosting another giveaway for our residents! This time, three winners will be selected to receive fifteen gallons each of finished compost to use in their home garden beds.

Enter by May 27 for a chance to win by letting us know which of the compost challenge actions you’re going to do. Skokie Public Works will deliver the compost to the winners' homes between May 28 and May 31.

One Way to Support a Healthier Community

The Skokie Health and Human Services Department partners with Northwestern University for the South Asians Active Together Study to better understand and address health disparities in South Asian women. Help increase diversity in research by joining the research registry.

🗓️ Three Upcoming Events to Put On Your Calendar

Festival of Cultures, May 18 and 19

Celebrate Skokie’s cultural diversity this Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Oakton Park. The free event includes food vendors, live performances, cultural booths, and more.

Community-wide Garage Sale, May 31 to June 2

Looking to reduce, reuse, recycle or resell? Registration is now open for the 2nd annual Skokie Community-wide Garage Sale, May 31 through June 2.

Track the Torch, All June

Ahead of the summer games, find hidden torches in downtown Skokie businesses throughout June for a chance to win great prizes. Pick up your program at the Skokie Public Library.

FAQ: Where can I post a yard sign?

To support traffic safety and accessible public ways, the Village reminds residents of guidelines for yard signage placement:

Allowed: One non-illuminated window sign and one non-illuminated ground sign not exceeding four square feet on private property.
Not allowed: Posting signs in parkways, medians, on public trees, utility poles, and other public places. Signs placed in these areas can hinder visibility.

🏘️ Neighbors Making an Impact

Clean Green Skokie

Nearly 40 groups and individuals rolled up their sleeves to make Skokie sparkle this spring as part of the 2024 Clean, Green Skokie litter cleanup initiative. Thank you to all who participated!

More ways to be green: In addition to picking up litter, you can help manage waste in Skokie by composting and recycling properly.

Diaper Drive

The Commission on Family Services thanks community members, faith groups and businesses in Skokie who contributed to the Mother’s Day Diaper Drive, which collected more than 13,000 diapers to support local families with young children.

More kudos: The event was supported by Skokie Public Library, Skokie Police Department and Skokie Fire Department, which all volunteered as donation drop-off sites.