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May 5, 2026

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Leaders and staff from the Village of Skokie, Skokie Police Department, Skokie Park District, Jewish and interfaith leaders and nonprofit and education partners are working together to address community concerns and strengthen public safety following antisemitic incidents involving youth in local parks.

On April 30, Mayor Tennes convened a meeting with key community stakeholders to coordinate ongoing efforts and discuss next steps. A number of actions are already underway or being planned. These include:

The Village of Skokie remains committed to working with the entire community to ensure that all residents feel safe, respected and supported in all public spaces. Skokie is stronger together.

See something, say something: If you have an immediate public safety concern or emergency, call 911. To report non-emergency issues, contact the Skokie Police Department at 847-982-5900.

At it's meeting on May 4, the Village Board:

Watch a recording of the meeting for a discussion on these items and more.

The design, "Skokie Spirit," was created by local graphic designer Buddy Boor and approved by the Village Board Monday night.

The new look: Featuring an orange and yellow flame set against a green field, the image draws from multiple aspects of Skokie's history and identity: it echoes Joe Folise's 1978 Skokie Spirit stained glass at Village Hall and the Village's corporate seal, and it honors the region's earliest inhabitants, the Potawatomi, known as "Keepers of the Fire." The flame is also meant to serve as a beacon for all people, reflecting the community's longstanding commitment to welcoming everyone regardless of background.

This week, May 3–9, is Public Service Recognition Week — and it's a good moment to acknowledge the people who keep Skokie running every day.

We’re proud to recognize and thank our incredible Village of Skokie staff. Every day, your dedication, professionalism, and commitment help keep our community safe, strong and thriving. We appreciate all that you do!

Skokie has a new dining destination — and it's bringing the flavors of the Caribbean and Latin America right to Old Orchard Road.

Caribana Island Bar & Grill recently opened inside the Hampton Inn and Suites at 5203 Old Orchard Rd., offering a fusion menu inspired by Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and other islands across the Caribbean. 

What to expect: Caribana is a full bar and grill, so whether you're stopping in for a sit-down meal or a drink after work, there's something on the menu for you. Expect vibrant, seasoned dishes that reflect the diversity of the Caribbean — from the earthy, spiced traditions of Haitian cooking to the citrus-forward flavors of Cuban and Puerto Rican cuisine.

Warmer weather is here — and Skokie restaurants can take advantage of it with an outdoor dining permit.

From April through October, approved businesses can offer patio or sidewalk seating, adding capacity and visibility while contributing to a lively local dining scene. The Village makes the process straightforward: submit a short application and a site plan showing your proposed layout, and the Village will review it for safety, accessibility and compliance with local guidelines.

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND

Permits are annual, so now is a good time to get your application in before the season gets going.

Downtown Skokie has a new destination for toy lovers and collectors alike.

Ka-Pow Collectibles at 4921 Oakton St., celebrated its ribbon cutting this week, bringing a colorful mix of action figures, retro toys, board game favorites and rare finds to the heart of Downtown Skokie. Whether you're tracking down a childhood classic or searching for a hard-to-find collector's piece, the shelves here are stocked with something for every era and every age.

If your building is looking to improve recycling or get started with composting, the Village can help.

Skokie's sustainability team offers outreach sessions for condo and apartment communities, including HOA meetings and phone consultations with property management companies. Whether you want to introduce residents to the Village's compost subscription program, boost recycling participation or provide general sustainability education, speakers are available to help.

Email Sustainability@skokie.org to set up a session for your building.

Help clean up the Chicago River this Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park, 8600 N. McCormick Blvd.

Mayor Tennes will deliver opening remarks at 9 a.m. before the cleanup gets underway. The event is part of Chicago River Day, the annual volunteer cleanup organized by Friends of the Chicago River. It's free, family-friendly and open to all. 

CUB (Citizens Utility Board, Illinois's nonprofit utility watchdog) and the Village of Skokie are hosting a free workshop on cutting your energy costs. 

📅 Tuesday, May 5 from 6–8 PM
📍Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St

Bonus content: Bring printed copies of your gas and electric bills. After the presentation, a CUB expert will review them with you one-on-one.

Illinois has updated its Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) pricing through the Illinois Shines program. That means lower upfront costs if you're thinking about installing solar panels.

You can stack that with Switch Together Chicagoland, a free group buying program that covers solar panels, battery storage, and EV chargers. No obligation to buy — you're just getting a group discount by signing up alongside neighbors.

The Village of Skokie is hosting a community blood drive on Thursday, May 28, from 1 to 5 p.m. on the 2nd Floor of Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton St. (Conference Room D&E).

The drive is organized in partnership with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois. Appointments are appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. Bring a photo ID. As a thank you, all donors will receive a $25 e-gift card.

Helpful tip: Eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before you donate.

If you or someone in your household is heading to college, CEDA has a scholarship program worth knowing about.

The Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA) offers the CSBG Scholarship Program for income-eligible students residing in Suburban Cook County — including Skokie. The scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited Illinois college or university, and awards can reach up to $5,000.

For questions about the scholarship, email csbgscholarship@cedaorg.net or call CEDA's Information & Referral line at (312) 795-8948. Staff are available Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Storefront Artist Fellows Rachel Molinaro and Tim Corpus

What happens when movement, music and technology collide? You can find out for yourself this Thursday night at The Storefront.

Storefront Artist Fellows Tim Corpus and Rachel Molinaro are hosting a free, hands-on workshop on Thursday, May 7, at 7 p.m. at The Storefront, 4051 Main St. The evening offers a behind-the-scenes look at their upcoming show — and a chance to try the technology yourself.

The workshop features wearable tech that controls lighting and sound in real time. Tim and Rachel will demonstrate their creative process, then open it up for attendees to experience it hands-on.

Admission is free, but registration is required.

A recent Standing OVations performance held at Skokie Public Library

Orchard Village's Standing OVations theater group has been selected as a 2026 recipient of the Village of Skokie Fine Arts Commission's Art Programming Grant.

Standing OVations is a theater program for adults with developmental disabilities based at Orchard Village. Through acting, music and movement, participants build communication skills, self-esteem and a sense of community and share their talents in inclusive performances that celebrate their voices and stories. The program is part of Orchard Village's recreational therapy offerings, giving individuals the spotlight to express themselves creatively and confidently.

The Fine Arts Commission's Art Programming Grant awards up to $5,000 per recipient to support new and innovative fine-arts programming in Skokie. The goal is to stimulate cultural vitality, foster community engagement and bring residents diverse artistic experiences.

EVENTS

PUBLIC MEETINGS

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