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Important News -
For Immediate Release The Skokie Fire Department Honored with Re-Accreditation Status The Skokie Fire Department has officially received re-accreditation status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) for meeting the criteria established through the CFAI’s voluntary self-assessment accreditation program. The Skokie Fire Department is one of 10 agencies that received Internationally Accredited Agency status with the CFAI and the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. (CPSE) during the semi-annual CFAI accreditation meeting, which took place in Orlando, Florida on March 7, 2007. The Skokie Fire Department was originally accredited in 2001 and was evaluated for re-accreditation in fall 2006. Achieving this accreditation is a very prestigious award of recognition and is authorized and conducted by fire service professionals. There are only seven agencies that are both accredited and that have ISO Class One status nationally and only the Skokie Fire Department has that distinction in Illinois. There are only three communities nationally, which have all accredited Fire, Police and Public Works Departments and an ISO Class One Rating. Nationally there are 112 accredited fire departments and 49 fire departments that hold an ISO Class One rating. During the on-site evaluation last fall, the peer assessment team reviewed all of the Fire Department’s policies, procedures and processes as they relate to the more than 250 performance indicators and 108 core competencies, which they are part of the assessment process. “Our firefighters are among America’s best, and I am elated that the Commission on Fire Accreditation International’s evaluation indicated just how well prepared and functional the Skokie Fire Department is to handle the needs of our community,” said Fire Chief Ralph Czerwinski. For more information please contact the Skokie Fire Administration Offices at 847/982-5320. Released by Public Information Division For Release Immediate Skokie Celebrates Arbor Day April 27th is Arbor Day! As a Tree City for 21 years, this day has a special meaning for Skokie. Each year on Arbor Day the Village and the Skokie Park District co-host a public tree planting ceremony. This year’s ceremony is on Friday, April 27 at 10 a.m. at the Public Works Facility, located at 9050 Gross Point Road. For more information, please call the Forestry Division at 847/933-8427. Released by Public Information Division April 6, 2007 Village of Skokie Receives National Financial Reporting Recognition The Village of Skokie has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The Village received the recognition for the comprehensive financial report it developed for the fiscal year that ended on April 30, 2006. “I am honored that the Village is, once again, being recognized by the GFOA,” commented Village Manager Albert J. Rigoni. “I also wish to congratulate Finance Director Robert Nowak on his receiving an individual Award of Financial Reporting Achievement. In addition to Mr. Nowak, Assistant Finance Department Director Sandra Collins and all Finance Department staff are to be commended for a job well done.” The Village’s financial report was reviewed by an impartial GFOA panel that determined that the report met the highest government reporting standards and demonstrated a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” that clearly presented the Village’s financial information in an informative, entertaining manner. The Village of Skokie received its first such financial reporting recognition in 1988 and has received it each year since. The Honorable Mayor, George Van Dusen with the Village Board will present the award at a Village Board meeting on Monday, April 16 at 8 p.m. Village Board meetings are held at Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street. For further information: April 6, 2007 Skokie Presents Citizen Lifesaving Award At the April 4, 2007 Skokie Village Board Meeting, Fire Chief Ralph Czerwinski presented Mr. Jean Policape, Skokie home owner, with a Citizen Lifesaving Award. On December 26, 2006, Policape assisted in saving the life of another Skokie resident from a burning home. “He (Mr. Policape) did the right thing at the right time to make a difference” comments Fire Chief Czerwinski. “He did a fabulous job.” Policape responded to the sound of his doorbell and a female neighbor screaming. The female neighbor informed him that her husband was still inside the dwelling. The home across the street was emitting heavy smoke. Policape, realizing the urgency of the situation, rushed into the home and encountered the thick smoke. As Policape entered the living room he discovered the male resident of the home and pulled him from the structure onto the front lawn. The injured individual was taken to St. Francis Hospital suffering with burns over 50% of his body. He is currently recovering at the Loyola Medical Center Burn Unit. - 30 - For further information contact: For Immediate Release Identity Theft Prevention Program The Village of Skokie Consumer Affairs Commission and the Skokie Public Library host an Identity Theft Prevention Program on Sunday, April 22 at the Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton Street. The program begins at 1 p.m. and is held in the Mary Radmacher Room. The presentation is led by Lizveth Mendez, community outreach liaison for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Mendez will present tips on how to prevent and avoid identity theft. The presentation includes time for audience questions. For more information, call the Skokie Public Library at 847/673-7774. Released by Public Information Division For Immediate Release New Name and Higher Income Limits for Property Tax Relief and Prescription Medication Program The Village of Skokie Human Services Division offers assistance with a state program that has recently changed its name and requirements to participate. The new program name is Illinois Cares RX and RX Plus, previously known as the Circuit Breaker program. The Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act is a State program for Illinois residents who may qualify for a grant. If you pay property or mobile home taxes, live in a nursing, retirement, or shelter care home that was subject to property taxes, you may be able to receive a grant up to $700. It may also help pay for prescription medicines. Illinois Cares RX Basic and Illinois Cares RX Plus (formerly known as Circuit Breaker) is a program for seniors 65 and older and those 16 to 64 who are disabled and on Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The income limit rules for the Illinois Cares RX drug coverage has recently increased. The income limit increase impacts Illinois Cares RX drug coverage only. The income limits for the property tax grant and license plate discounts have not changed. The Village suggests applying for the Illinois Cares RX drug coverage this year if your income level was previously over the limit. The limits now in effect are for the current application year and are as follows: Illinois Cares RX Basic Illinois Cares Rx PLUS: You may apply online at www.cbrx.il.gov or contact the Human Services Division at 847/933-8208 for application assistance. Released by Public Information Division For Immediate Release Notice of Compliance The Illinois Department of Corrections conducts an annual inspection of all municipal jail facilities. The Skokie Police Department is in full compliance with the standards set by the Illinois Department of Corrections. A copy of this report is on file at the Village Clerk’s Office located in the Village Hall at 5127 Oakton Street, and is available for public inspection. Released by Public Information Division For Immediate Release Skokie Receives the 28th Annual Telly Award The Village of Skokie will receive the 28th Annual Telly Award for the Skokie Swift Relocation informational video. The Telly Award is a widely known and highly respected national and international competition, receiving 13,000 entries from around the world. The Skokie Swift Relocation Video can be seen on SkokieVision at noon and 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week. Many informational Village videos can be viewed on SkokieVision, including “Skokie, a Great Place to Call Home”, “Skokie, Recycling Begins With You”, “Stormwater Runoff Control”, “Public Works Exceptional Service”, and “Working For the Community”. Skokievision is available through two local cable providers, channel 22 with RCN and 17 with Comcast. For more information about the Village visit www.skokie.org or call the Manager’s Office at 847/933-8210. Released by For Immediate Release Yard Waste Program The yard waste collection season began Monday, April 2, 2007. Materials will be picked up weekly on the same day that recycling is collected. Yard waste should be contained properly and placed alongside containers in the regular refuse collection areas visible to collectors. Grass clippings and small brush need to be contained in paper yard waste bags. Large brush needs to be bundled with string, twine or rope. Do not mix yard waste with regular household refuse, recycling materials, construction waste or hazardous waste. Illinois State law prohibits the deposit of landscape waste in landfills. For more information contact the Public Works Refuse Division at 847/933-8427 or visit www.skokie.org. Released by Public Information Division April 25, 2007 Emerald Ash Borer Identified in Skokie The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer in a tree at Crawford and Grant Avenues in northeast Skokie. Last summer, the destructive insect was found in several nearby towns, and Skokie is in the 64-square-mile quarantine area established by the IDOA. Skokie has approximately 3,000 ash trees, representing 12% of the Village’s 24,000 trees growing on public property. “We knew it was just a matter of time until the emerald ash borer was found in Skokie,” said Village Manager Albert J. Rigoni. “Skokie Public Works Forestry staff has a detailed emerald ash borer management plan that includes removing infested trees, participating in experimental treatment programs and systematically replacing as many public ash trees as possible.” Late last week Skokie also received news that yard waste will be accepted at a Glenview facility owned by the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC). Skokie and 22 other suburbs belong to SWANCC. The agency is working closely with the IDOA on proper disposal of all yard waste from the quarantine zone. According to Public Works Director Max Slankard, “The emerald ash borer is difficult to find, as the insect’s exit holes are one-eighth of an inch in size. We also cannot be sure of how quickly the infestation will spread to healthy ash trees. In early summer 2007, starting in northeast Skokie, Village foresters will begin a systematic survey of all parkway ash trees. Those determined to be in poor condition or with evidence of emerald ash borer infestation will be slated for removal. Residents will be notified if a tree on their parkway will be removed.” The Village’s budget that is effective May 1 includes $61,000 for replacing some 250 parkway trees. The Village plans to work with the Morton Arboretum to test new chemical treatments for ash trees. Residents will be notified if their parkway ash is chosen for the study. The Village is not offering assistance for ash trees on private property at this time. 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. For further information about Skokie’s emerald ash borer management plan, visit www.skokie.org, Public Works section. - 30 - For further information: For Immediate Release Bicycle Registration Are you the proud owner of a new bicycle? Don’t forget to register your new or older bicycle with the Village. Registration assists in the return of lost or stolen bicycles. There is no charge for this service. To register, supply the Village with bicycle information, including serial number, size and brand of bike. If a lost bike is found and returned, this helps the Police Department locate the owner. Please be reminded that all bike riders in the Village of Skokie under the age of 16 must wear a helmet. Bicycle registration is available at the Village Clerk’s Office at Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street, or at the Skokie Police Station, located at the intersection of Laramie Avenue and Main Street. For more information, contact the Skokie Police Department at 847/982-5996. Released by Public Information Division For Immediate Release The Skokie Traffic Safety Commission is sponsoring Traffic Safety Week, held May 28 to June 3. Traffic Safety Week is designed to further public awareness of traffic and pedestrian safety 52 weeks a year. Join your friends and neighbors at the annual Village of Skokie Bicycle Safety Day, Saturday, June 2, 2007, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oakton Park, 4701 Oakton Street. Children through age 14 can participate in games and win prizes. A bicycle safety course will be provided to test their knowledge of the law and their ability to properly handle a bicycle. Bicyclists can register their bicycles with the Skokie Police Department this day as well. Members of the Skokie Park District, Skokie Police Department and the Skokie Fire Department will be on hand to promote pedestrian and traffic safety. The rain date is June 9. For more information, contact the Traffic Engineering Division at 847/933-8231. Released by Public Information Division |
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