Latest News:

Dempster Street Construction Projects Begin

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) began roadway improvements (e.g., street reconstruction including widening of roads at turning radii, installation of right turn lanes and ADA ramps, and extending length of left-turning lanes) at the Niles Center Road, Skokie Boulevard and Dempster Street intersection. Street resurfacing activities along Dempster Street from Kilpatrick Avenue to McCormick Avenue, are also underway.

Niles Center Rd, Skokie Blvd and Dempster St Intersection Improvements 

• The improvements will cover the area east of Bronx Avenue to Kilpatrick Avenue on Dempster Street; from Carol Street to north of Greenwood Street on Niles Center Road and from Crain Street to north of Greenwood Street on Skokie Blvd.
• Work will continue through October 2022, but all lanes will be temporarily reopened between 12/1/21 and 3/31/22.
• It will be the responsibility of IDOT to maintain access to adjacent properties at all times. When work is occurring adjacent to a driveway, access at that location will likely be temporarily restricted, but generally speaking all adjacent property is to remain accessible, night and day, during the project.
• The most restrictive staging of traffic will be the initial staging. All legs of the intersections will be reduced to one through lane while some legs will retain a turn lane as well. Generally speaking, more lanes will become available for use as the project  progresses through the five different stages for traffic.
• The contractor has not yet provided a construction schedule, however, the Village will make the schedule available on the Village's website (www.skokie.org) once it has been confirmed.  At this time, the duration and timing of each stage is unknown to the Village.
• Primary contact regarding business and residential concerns for the IDOT work
  • Glen Pennington, IDOT Resident Engineer, (847) 894-8491.
  • Village contact if IDOT is nonresponsive - Russ Rietveld, (847) 933-8231.

 Dempster Street Resurfacing - Kilpatrick Avenue to McCormick Avenue

• Work began June 14th and should take approximately four months.
• Most activities will be conducted utilizing rolling lane Closures where necessary.
• Initial work will be concrete sidewalk and curb removal and replacement.
• Street patching and underground utility work will be completed next.
• The existing surface is currently scheduled to be removed around the beginning of August 2021.
• The new surface placement should begin in September 2021.
• Primary contact regarding business and residential concerns for the IDOT work
  • Larry  Pray, IDOT Resident Engineer, (847) 846-5853.
  • Village contact if IDOT is nonresponsive - Russ Rietveld,(847) 933-8231.

 CLICK HERE for a Map of the Niles Center / Dempster / Skokie Intersection Improvements.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience during this very important State of Illinois roadway reconstruction and improvement work.

Phase 5 Guidance For Businesses and Venues  - Illinois and Skokie Reach Full Recovery

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has published guidance which includes recommendations for all types of businesses and venues, customers, and employees in order to help maintain healthy environments and operations, as well as lower the risk of COVID-19 spread. CLICK HERE for additional detail from IDPH.  Additional information can also be found from a Chicago Tribune Article dated June 7, 2021 by CLICKING HERE.

The Village of Skokie has prepared updated signage to encourage patrons to continue wearing masks (although not required and the decision is up to each business to determine their policy).  If you would like to download and print the updated sign, CLICK HERE.

Downtown Skokie Homewood Suites by Hilton Hotel and Conference Center - Coming Soon

On December 7, 2020 the Skokie Village Board of Trustees approved a Development Agreement between the Village and E&M Skokie, LLC to construct a 142-room Homewood Suites by Hilton.  The hotel is anticipated to be under construction by the summer of 2021 and located at the northeast corner of Niles Avenue and Oakton Street.  The hotel will anchor and be a needed amenity for not only the region and Skokie, but also the Illinois Science + Technology Park.  The Village will purchase and retain the eastern portion of the property which includes Annie’s Pancake house which will continue to operate at its current locale at 4900 Oakton Street.  

In addition to the hotel rooms, the new Homewood Suites by Hilton Downtown Skokie Hotel will feature a rooftop bar and pub open to the public, 13,000 square feet of ground floor retail, full amenities for hotel guests, as well as 10,000 square feet of banquet and event space.   Coinciding with the hotel, public improvements will take place along Oakton Terrace and over 115 additional public parking spaces in addition to those needed by the hotel will be provided in a new parking garage to the north of the hotel itself along Niles Avenue.

For more information, please CLICK HERE

Support Skokie's Small Businesses!

We know you are all doing the best you can to support local businesses during these uncertain times.  We hope that you are also continuing to refer to the Village of Skokie’s promotional websites CLICK HERE  along with our partners at the Skokie Chamber of Commerce, Skokie Public Library, and Chicago’s North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau. As a reminder, please encourage friends, colleagues and family members to Subscribe to SkokieNews for important updates throughout the year. 

Welcome to Skokie Video released.  

Click here for the new “Welcome to Skokie” video which highlighted the Village at the recently held SelectChicago Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Virtual Conference.

August 27, 2020 - Skokie Business Update

Click HERE or on graphic below to read the latest Business Update.

August 4, 2020 - Village of Skokie Economic Recovery Plan Unveiled

In response to COVID-19, Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen was one of the first suburban Chicago mayors to establish the Skokie Economic Recovery Task Force. Between May 12 through July 29, 2020, the Task Force met regularly via Zoom to help guide and assist Village staff, leadership, and the community to develop a thoughtful and actionable Economic Recovery Plan.   Recommendations identified focus on priorities deemed essential by Task Force Members, community members, elected officials, and from discussions and feedback received from over 250 Skokie-based businesses and service providers across all segments of the economy.  To view the report CLICK HERE or on the cover page below.   

July 7, 2020 Business Update

Click HERE or on graphic below to read the latest Business Update.