SkokieNews - New business, Arbor Day, and more

April 23, 2024

🌳 Celebrate Arbor Day In Skokie

Join the Village for its annual Arbor Day celebration and tree planting this Friday, April 26, 8:45 a.m., at Madison School, 5100 Madison St.

Tree goals: The Village’s Environmental Sustainability Plan calls for increasing canopy coverage in Skokie to 28 percent by 2030. The new Skokie Roots for Trees initiative aims to plant 1,200 trees over the next several years to help meet that goal.

Tree benefits: Trees intercept rainwater, reduce air conditioning costs, improve physical and mental health, and create safer and more sociable neighborhoods.

Ready to plant? Fill out the Village’s parkway tree interest form to inquire about planting a tree on your property. Free native oak saplings are also available at the O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant, 3500 Howard St., on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, as part of the “Restore the Canopy, Plant a Tree” program.

What’s the Buzz on Cicadas?

Unless you've been living underground, you've probably heard that billions of cicadas will emerge this May and June. Here are a few reminders and tips to manage cicadas:

Cicadas don't bite or sting. They don’t pose a threat to humans, pets, gardens or crops.
Avoid pesticide use. It’s unnecessary, it isn’t effective, and it's harmful to beneficial insects and wildlife.
Consider protecting newly planted trees. New trees less than three inches in diameter are susceptible to damage by female cicadas. To protect young trees, purchase tulle (like the ballerina tutu fabric) at a fabric store or online, and cover the canopy of the tree. See more tips from The Morton Arboretum.

Cicadas won't be here long. Expect them to dwindle by July.

Explore Skokie

New Business: RJ Breaks

RJ Breaks is now open at 8040 Lincoln Ave. in downtown Skokie!

Add to your collectible collection: Shop sports cards and memorabilia, Pokémon, and more. Get a peek on the Village’s Explore Skokie Instagram and Facebook.

Tonelli Joins Village as Economic Vitality Manager

Welcome to Rod Tonelli, the Village’s new economic vitality manager.

About Rod: A regional leader in urban planning and economic development, Rod brings more than 25 years of corporate and municipal experience to his new role.

Priorities: The economic vitality manager will focus on strengthening Skokie’s diverse local business community, strategically redeveloping Village-owned property, supporting continued growth of the Illinois Science + Technology Park, and advancing downtown Skokie as a destination to live, work, visit and do business.

Pedestrian Signal Improvements Underway

IDOT is making accessibility upgrades to pedestrian push buttons at several locations in Skokie over the next week.

Why it’s important: Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) communicate information about the “Walk” and “Don’t Walk” intervals at signalized intersections in non-visual formats, such as audible tones, to assist those who are blind or have low vision.

Trash Cart Reminders

Does your trash or recycling cart have a hole(s) or is otherwise damaged? Let us know! Request a replacement using Access Skokie or call Public Works at 847-933-8427.

Additional reminders: Minimize future damage by storing your carts in a garage or shed, if possible. Carts collected at the street should be placed out the night prior to your trash pickup or prior to 7 a.m. the day of, and should be removed from the public way at the end of the day.

North Shore Live: On Stage In Skokie

Experience Skokie’s vibrant performing arts scene during Chicago’s North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau’s North Shore Live celebration. Hurry, special offers are available through Sunday, April 28.

Donate Blood at Village Hall, May 30

Skokie’s Health and Human Services Department is partnering with Versiti Blood Centers of Illinois to host a blood drive on Thursday, May 30, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Village Hall.