Show All Answers

1. When will my alley be graded?

The Village attempts to grade each of its 65 miles of alley every year. Weather, in particular rain, can cause alley grading to be delayed, as the alleys need to be clear of standing water prior to grading. For more information, visit our Streets & Alleys page.

2. My backyard floods - what can the Village do to help me?

The Building Division offers a backyard flooding assistance program. Building staff will work with property owners to assess the situation and design a drainage solution. While the cost of the installation is borne by the property owner, Building Division staff will assist by designing a solution. Visit our Community Development page for details.

3. Are all streets in the Village under Village jurisdiction?

No, some streets are under the jurisdiction of Skokie, or Cook County or Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). For a complete list of the jurisdictions, visit our

Exempt Streets page.

4. Who do I report a damaged or a burnt out street or alley light to?

Different entities are responsible for different street and alley lights in Skokie. If you have a damaged or burnt out street or alley light, you can report it to the Village’s Engineering Division at 847-933-8231 and they will ensure the proper entities are notified.

5. Will the Village provide lighting for the alley behind my home?

Yes. If you are interested in having a light placed in your alley, please call the Engineering Division at 847-933-8231. Public Works staff will then determine if your alley has the necessary infrastructure to support a light. If the necessary infrastructure is in place, an alley light will be installed and you will be billed a flat fee of $95 annually. This fee covers the costs of the light, its installation and the electricity supply.

6. Do you have any advice on how I can avoid or deal with frozen pipes?

During freezing conditions, homeowners should take the following precautions to prevent their pipes from freezing:

 • Allow a continuous trickle of water to flow through faucet(s) to help minimize the chances of freezing pipes.

• Seal any leaks around doors or windows to reduce drafts that could lead to pipes freezing. 

• Open cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathrooms to allow the heat from the house to circulate.

 • Wrap interior piping running along outside walls with pipe insulation or heat tape. 

A sign that your interior piping may be frozen is evident when there is a reduced trickle of water from your faucet. Do not attempt to thaw a frozen pipe yourself using an open flame. Contact a qualified plumbing contractor to do the work.

Show All Answers

1. Does the Village prune the parkway tree in front of my home?

Yes. The Village maintains all trees on public parkways. Each parkway tree is pruned every five to seven years during winter months from November through March. This work is performed by a qualified contractor. Trees are pruned in order to remove hazardous deadwood, eliminate interference with low limbs, clear stop signs, street lights and buildings, reduce the effects of wind and ice on branch stability and repair storm damaged limbs. Parkway tree pruning is vital for the continued growth and health of a tree.

2. Does the Village have a parkway tree planting program?

Yes. Residents with an open planting space on their parkway are invited to contribute to the Village's urban forest by planting a new tree in their parkway. The Village pays 50% of the costs to plant a new tree. The homeowner may select from a list of suitable parkway trees that are offered for both the fall and spring planting seasons. Click here for more information.

3. Is Dutch Elm Disease active in Skokie?

Yes. Dutch Elm Disease (DED) is an aggressive pathogen that kills trees and is considered the most costly shade-tree disease. Unfortunately, the disease is still active in Skokie because there are still more than 400  susceptible parkway elms. The good news is that DED can be managed so that minimal trees are impacted. The removal of infected or dead elm wood is the most important control of DED. Elm bark beetles that spread the disease breed in this old wood. If you spot an American elm that is  losing its leaves, wilting or turning yellow well before the fall, please call the Forestry Division.

4. Does the Village provide any cost sharing to treat Dutch Elm Disease?

Yes. The Village provides a 50/50 cost share fungicide treatment program  for parkway elms to help control the disease. Residents who have an  American elm are eligible to participate in this program. The treatment consists of injecting a liquid fungicide into the water-conducting  tissue of the tree. It has a very good success rate in preventing DED infection from the feeding of elm bark beetles for up to three years. After three years, the tree must be retreated for continued protection from DED. Residents with a private elm may contact the Village's contractor to have their tree treated for the same cost.

5. What is the Village doing to control the Emerald Ash Borer?

In summer 2006, the destructive insect was found in several nearby towns, and Skokie is in the quarantine area established by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA). In April 2007, the IDOA confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer in a tree at Crawford and Grant Avenues in northeast Skokie. Skokie has approximately 3,000 ash trees, representing 12% of the Village's 24,000 trees growing on public property. Each year, Village foresters perform a systematic survey of all parkway ash trees. Those determined to be in poor condition or with evidence of emerald ash borer infestation are marked with white paint for removal. Residents are notified if a tree on their parkway will be removed. The Village does not offer financial assistance for the removal of trees on private property. Residents concerned about an ash tree on their property are encouraged to call an International Society of Arboriculture-certified arborist who has signed the "Emerald Ash Borer Compliance Agreement" with the IDOA.

6. How often should I water my trees during dry periods?

If you have a new or young tree in your parkway or on your property, keep it healthy by watering it during dry periods. New trees need about one inch of rain per week to become established. If they do not receive this rain, provide a deep soak by gently running the hose at the base of the tree for about an hour. Maintaining a ring of mulch around the base of the tree two to three inches deep will keep the soil moist longer. However, do not pile or place mulch against the trunk of the tree; this will cause the bark to rot and decay, which will eventually kill the tree.

Show All Answers

1. What should I do if my refuse or recycling cart is damaged?

Please contact the Public Works Department, who will determine if cart patching is possible, or if replacement of the lid, body or both components is necessary. The Refuse Collection Division replaces carts systematically and does not replace carts on a call-in basis.

2. When will my refuse cart be emptied?

Collections are made twice per week for residents who reside in single-family homes. Residents who live north of Greenleaf have their  containers emptied on Mondays and Thursdays. Residents that live south of Greenleaf have their containers emptied on Tuesdays and Fridays.

3. When is yard waste collected?

Brush and yard debris are collected every Wednesday from early April through mid-November, and requests are no longer required for collection. Yard waste must be set out in 30-gallon, biodegradable paper bags; brush can be tied in small bundles with biodegradable twine or string, not exceeding four feet in length. The Village of Skokie does not collect grass clippings, dirt, or logs. On weeks with a Monday holiday, such as Memorial Day and Labor Day, and sometimes Fourth of July, yard waste is collected on the Saturday following the holiday.

4. How should materials be prepared for collection?

General household refuse must be drained of surplus liquids, bagged and securely tied. Yard Waste must be contained in paper yard waste bags. Small and large brush must bagged or bundled. Each branch cannot exceed three inches in diameter and cannot extend longer than five feet in length. Yard waste bags may not exceed 40 pounds per bag. Construction waste, except for small do-it-yourself jobs, is not collected. Any waste from small, do-it-yourself jobs must be placed in boxes or waterproof bags, no heavier than 40 pounds. Household hazardous waste can be collected in small amounts if it is contained in sealed containers. Paint is collected as long as it is dried prior to collection. Needles are also collected, but must be placed in a sharps container. The Village does not collect motor oil and lead batteries. Recycling materials must be placed in the recycling cart for collection. All cans, cartons and jars must be rinsed prior to disposal. Motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze and charcoal lighter fluid containers are not accepted.

5. Where can I recycle my CFL bulbs?

You may recycle used CFL bulbs at the Skokie Health Department, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For specific information, please call the Skokie Health Department at 847-933-8252.

6. Does the Skokie Health Department offer recycling opportunities?

Yes, the Skokie Health Department has a variety of recycling/disposal programs available to residents. These include:  

• Compact fluorescent light bulb recycling
• Expired / unused medicine disposal
• Household battery recycling
• Used syringe disposal

Call the Health Department at 847-933-8252 for more information about these programs.

Show All Answers

1. How often are streets swept?

The street sweeping program normally begins in March and runs through mid-December (weather permitting). The Village uses three street sweepers Monday through Friday on staggered schedules.

2. How often are the residential streets swept?

The Public Works Department makes every effort to sweep residential streets every five to seven days. Delays sometimes occur due to inclement weather, equipment repairs and holidays.

3. When will the street sweeper be in my area?

It is difficult to determine exactly when a particular street or concrete alley will be swept due to external factors or weather uncertainties that influence the schedule, but the Public Works Department makes every effort to sweep residential streets every five to seven days.

4. Will my paved alley be swept?

Yes. The Public Works Department makes every effort to sweep concrete alleys depending on time and operational needs on a monthly basis. Delays sometimes occur due to inclement weather, equipment repairs, and holidays.

5. How often are the multi-family areas swept?

The Public Works Department makes every effort to sweep multi-family residential areas monthly, beginning the first full week of the month on Wednesday and Thursday, except in the month of November. Delays sometimes occur due to inclement weather, equipment repairs and holidays.

6. I live in a multi-family area. Will I receive notification about street sweeping?

Yes. The days and times of street sweeping in multi-family areas will be posted on parkway trees with cardboard signs at least 24 hours prior to sweeping. The sweeping will occur on one side of the street on one day, with the alternate side swept the next day.

7. If I live in a multi-family area and don’t move my car, will I be ticketed?

To ensure that street sweeping is effective, multi-family areas residents must remove parked vehicles from the street during scheduled street sweeping days. Vehicles not moved from multi-family areas by 9 a.m. will be ticketed.

8. Does the Village sweep any other areas besides the residential and multi-family streets?

Yes:

• Oakton Street, the Lincoln Avenue Business District and Village parking lots are swept every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 
• Crawford Avenue, Dempster Street, and Gross Point Road are swept every Tuesday. 
• Main Street is swept every Wednesday. 
• Skokie Boulevard, Old Orchard Road, and Golf Road are swept every Thursday. 
• Touhy Avenue, Niles Center Road from Howard to Pratt Avenue, and the industrial areas are swept once a month on a Thursday.  
• Medians on Main Street, Crawford Avenue, Old Orchard Road, and Skokie Boulevard are swept as time and weather permit.

9. How do I get my leaves collected in the fall?

There are two ways to dispose of your leaves. You may rake your leaves to the curb where they are collected once per week. Every street is scheduled for a weekly collection.  However, collection schedules vary due to leaf volume and weather. If you prefer to bag your leaves, Village crews will collect yard waste bags on Wednesdays through mid-November. For additional information, please call the Public Works Department at 847-933-8427.