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January 13, 2026

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Greetings Ivan! 

Here’s what you need to know this week:

🤧 Stay healthy: Flu is on the rise. Get a free immunization at Skokie Village Hall on Wednesdays this month.

🌲 Tree and bagged leaf pickup: Public Works crews will continue to collect Christmas trees and bagged leaves through Friday.

🍄 Winter Market: Skokie Review visited last weekend’s opening of the Winter Market on Main. Save the date – the next market is January 25.

Plumber replaces a home’s lead water service.

As the Village prepares to expand replacement of lead water services in Skokie over the coming years, you can share your interest in participating in the Village’s Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Cost-Share Program. 

What is the LSLR Cost-Share Program? This Village program caps a homeowner’s cost of replacing private-side lead water services at $3,090 (adjusted annually) and currently allows the cost to be financed over 15 years through the water bill.

In December 2025, the Village Board approved expanding the program to include households that voluntarily choose to participate, in addition to replacements completed as part of emergency repairs or larger water main projects. Funding will be determined through the FY27 Budget beginning in May 2026, and projects will be scheduled based on funding and resource availability.

First step: Share your interest. Residents with private lead water services should complete the interest form online. The Village will contact you as funding and opportunities become available to discuss next steps and project scheduling. 

Learn how to identify your service line and view the interactive map on the Village's Lead Water Service Lines page.

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 19, please note the following changes to Village services:

TRASH COLLECTION

During the week of January 19:

RECYCLING COLLECTION

There are no changes to the recycling collection schedule.

VILLAGE HALL HOURS

Skokie Village Hall will be closed on Monday, January 19 in observance of the holiday.

Make sure trash cart lids stay tightly sealed.

Food is scarce for rats in the winter. Don’t let them dine in your dumpster!

Are you practicing the ABCs of effective trash management?

Rat Stat: The Village continues to implement a multi-department, whole-community approach to rat control. Active rat control cases have decreased 27 percent from January 2025 to January 2026. See how you can help.

With your partnership, Skokie can continue to reduce rat activity.

Operation Full Smokeout: With cold temperatures anticipated, environmental health staff and licensed pest control contractors will expand their use of smoke producing devices to effectively treat rat burrows in the coming weeks.

Lead paint remediation is provided to qualified homeowners and renters through the County’s program.

Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) has launched a new awareness campaign, “Lead-Safe Cook County,” to encourage eligible suburban Cook County residents and homeowners to apply for free lead removal services and free home repairs.  

Qualified homeowners and renters can apply for the program, which may include a lead inspection, painting, window replacement, flooring, drywall and soil remediation.

Downtown Skokie Restaurant Week is coming up, and one of last year’s most popular events, the three-course progressive dinner, is back! 

Available January 23 through February 7, each evening features communal seating, individually plated dishes, and stops at some of Downtown Skokie’s favorite spots, with an optional drink pairing to round out the night. 

Plan ahead: Last year sold out quickly, and seating is very limited. Get your tickets today!

Start the new year with creativity and intention at The Storefront (4051 Main St.) with a hands-on Empowerment Doll Workshop led by teaching artist and creativity coach Victoria Reeves.

What to know: Open to teens and adults, this workshop guides participants through designing and hand-sewing a small fabric empowerment doll—no sewing experience required. 

Two sessions available: Monday, January 19, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MLK Day, when school is out) and Saturday, January 31, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The $27 fee includes all necessary supplies.

Skokie School District 68 is developing a new Strategic Plan and invites your input.

Survey: All community members within the Skokie 68 boundary are encouraged to complete the survey by Monday, January 26.

Focus groups will also be available in-person at the Educational Service Center (9440 Kenton Ave.) on the following dates/times:

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

PUBLIC MEETINGS