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Important News -
For Immediate Release Skokie Village Hall Offices Closed for Memorial Day The Village of Skokie offices will be closed on Monday, May 28, 2007 in honor of Memorial Day. Regular Village business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Finance Department will also be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays from May 5 through October 28. For more information or to find information regarding the Skokie Memorial Day ceremony contact the Village Manager’s Office at 847/933-8257 or visit www.skokie.org. Released by Public Information Division For Immediate Release Skokie Memorial Day Ceremony Planned Honor America’s Veterans at Skokie’s annual Memorial Day ceremony. The event will take place on Monday, May 28 at 11:00 a.m. at Veterans Memorial at Krier Plaza, at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street. The Honorable Mayor George Van Dusen will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and share words of gratitude to Veterans. The ceremony includes local Skokie Veterans Posts and a flag presentation. The event will conclude with “Taps.” For more information contact the Village Manager’s Office at 847/933-8257 or visit www.skokie.org. Released by For Immediate Release Village of Skokie Memorial Day Refuse Schedule There is no refuse, recycling or yard waste collection services on Monday, May 28, 2007, in observance of Memorial Day. The collections are rescheduled as follows: Refuse: Monday collection on Tuesday, Tuesday collection on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday collections unchanged. Recycling: Normal collection schedules remain in effect. Yard Waste : Monday collection on Tuesday, Tuesday collection on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday collections unchanged. Any questions about refuse, recycling or yard waste collection should be directed to the Public Works Department at 847/933-8427 or visit www.skokie.org. Released by For Immediate Release The 17th Annual Festival of Cultures The Village of Skokie, the Skokie Park District and the Skokie Public Library will host the 17 th Annual Skokie Festival of Cultures on Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20, 2007. The festivities run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Oakton Park, 4701 West Oakton Street, Skokie, Illinois (1 block east of Skokie Boulevard on the south side of Oakton Street). Spend the day indulging all your senses while learning about fascinating and diverse world cultures. Sample tempting ethnic cuisines or browse the colorful merchandise bazaar. Try learning a new dance while enjoying a live musical performance on stage. Children will enjoy the many hands-on activities and ethnic arts found at the festival. Stop by the Village booth and meet some of the people who serve the community every day. Village staff from the Health, Public Works, Police, and Fire departments will be on hand to provide information on Village services and programs. For more information please visit the Festival’s web site, www.skokieculturefest.org Released by Public Information Division For Immediate Release The Skokie Fire Department Offers Play Yard Safety Guidelines According to the Home Safety Council, outside residential play is associated with a number of serious dangers that can put children at an increased risk for injuries. The Skokie Fire Department urges Skokie residents with children to guard against injuries by following a few simple play yard safety guidelines:
For additional family injury prevention information, contact the Skokie Fire Department at 847/982-5340 or visit the Home Safety Council Web Site at www.homesafetycouncil.org. Visit www.Skokie.org for more Village service information. Released by For Immediate Release Cook County Sheriff’s “9-1-1” Cell Phone for Seniors Program The Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the Village of Skokie Human Services Division will host a “free 9-1-1 Emergency Cell Phones for Skokie Seniors” program on Monday, July 16, at 10:00 a.m. in the Smith Activities Center, 5120 Galitz, Skokie. Skokie senior residents ages 65 and older, who do not currently own a cell phone, can register with the Smith Activities Center to receive a free “9-1-1” cell phone. Registration begins June 1. Registered seniors will receive a cell phone, instructions and accessories at the program. These phones are only capable of dialing 9-1-1. The “9-1-1” cell phone is a free service. Citizens who would like to donate an inactive cell phone to this program may do so at the Smith Activities Center during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you have further questions about this program, contact the Human Services Division at 847/933-8208. Visit www.skokie.org for more program descriptions. Released by Public Information Division For Immediate Release The Skokie Police Department Launches “Click it or Ticket” The Skokie Police Department and The Illinois Department of Transportation – Division of Traffic Safety (IDOT/DTS) are on a mission to increase the State’s safety belt usage rate during this year’s “Click It or Ticket” mobilization campaign. Although safety belt usage has increased in Illinois, too many Illinois drivers still choose not to regularly wear their safety belts. Regular safety belt practice is the single most effective way to protect passengers and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle accidents. When worn correctly, safety belts have been proven to reduce the risk of fatal injuries. The Skokie Police Department and the IDOT/DTS will emphasize the “Click It or Ticket” mobilization campaign by showing zero tolerance for anyone not buckled up. Special safety belt enforcement zones will be set up throughout Illinois, including Skokie, to crack down on unbelted drivers. For more information, contact the Skokie Police Department Traffic Unit, at 847/982-5972 or visit www.skokie.org. Released by For Immediate Release Be Smart, Wear a Helmet Bicycle helmets are required in the Village of Skokie for all children under sixteen years of age who are either riding a bicycle or being carried in a bicycle carrier. Village Code stipulates that helmets must be approved by the American National Standards Institute, the American Society for Testing or the Snell Memorial Foundation, Inc. The Village of Skokie has established a bicycle helmet rebate program for qualified, low-income applicants. Any parent of a child below the age of 16 can contact the Health Department at 847/933-8252 for information on how to apply for a $10 helmet rebate. Eligibility for the rebate program is based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Released by Public Information Division For Immediate Release The Village of Skokie Encourages Bicycle Safety As a reminder to residents, the State of Illinois and the Village of Skokie have specific laws to protect pedestrians, motorists and cyclists.
Other Village of Skokie bicycle safety suggestions include:
Following the laws and suggested safety procedures ensure a protected and proactive way to get around town. For more information contact the Skokie Police Crime Prevention Division at 847/982-5922, or visit www.skokie.org. Released by Public Information Division For Immediate Release Skokie Bicycle Safety Day 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 For Immediate Release Yard Waste Collection Due to confirmation of the Emerald Ash Borer in Skokie, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) has included the Village in the North Cook County Quarantine Zone. Although the Quarantine Zone does not specifically change the yard waste collection program in Skokie, residents should be aware of the guidelines associated with yard waste packaging and collection. As a result, yard waste that contains any sticks or branches will be considered regulated material during the 2007 yard waste collection season. The Village of Skokie reminds residents not to mix any yard waste with regular household refuse, recycling materials, construction waste or hazardous waste. The Village of Skokie transports all refuse and yard waste to the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County’s (SWANCC) Glenview Transfer Station. If a load of refuse includes improperly packaged yard waste and/or regulated material, SWANCC may decline the entire load. If yard waste, refuse and recycling are not properly packaged for disposal, the Village may ticket the property owner and/or decline pick-up of these items. Grass clippings and small brush will only be collected if they are contained in paper yard waste bags and cannot exceed 50 pounds per bag. Larger sized brush up to three inches in diameter needs to be bundled in manageable sizes and must be tied with string, twine or rope. Residents must make arrangements with a private landscaper or tree service for collection of brush, branches or logs exceeding three inches in diameter and five feet in length. For more information regarding yard waste collection, how to dispose of yard waste items and yard waste pick-up dates, please contact the Village of Skokie Public Works Department at 847/933-8427 or visit www.skokie.org. Released by Public Information Division For Immediate Release PUBLIC NOTICE OF VILLAGE BOARD MEETING The Village Board will hear presentations from three potential Downtown Skokie developers on May 29, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie, Illinois 60077. The three finalist firms were among a total of seven firms responding to a January 2007 Request for Qualifications from developers for a new mixed-use retail and development in the western section of Downtown Skokie. The block is bounded by Brown Street to the north, Oakton Street to the south, Lincoln Avenue to the east and Floral Avenue to the west. The Village plans to continue regular public communication with Skokie residents and Downtown Skokie businesses during all phases of the new redevelopment project. For further information please contact Tom Thompson, Economic Development Coordinator, 847/933-8446. Released by Public Information Division For Immediate Release Skokie Village Hall Offices Closed for Memorial Day The Village of Skokie offices will be closed on Monday, May 28, 2007 in honor of Memorial Day. Regular Village business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Finance Department will also be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays from May 5 through October 28. For more information or to find information regarding the Skokie Memorial Day ceremony contact the Village Manager’s Office at 847/933-8257 or visit www.skokie.org. Released by Public Information Division For Immediate Release Skokie Memorial Day Ceremony Planned Honor America’s Veterans at Skokie’s annual Memorial Day ceremony. The event will take place on Monday, May 28 at 11:00 a.m. at Veterans Memorial at Krier Plaza, at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street. The Honorable Mayor George Van Dusen will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and share words of gratitude to Veterans. The ceremony includes local Skokie Veterans Posts and a flag presentation. The event will conclude with “Taps.” For more information contact the Village Manager’s Office at 847/933-8257 or visit www.skokie.org. Released by For Immediate Release Village of Skokie Memorial Day Refuse Schedule There is no refuse, recycling or yard waste collection services on Monday, May 28, 2007, in observance of Memorial Day. The collections are rescheduled as follows: Refuse: Monday collection on Tuesday, Tuesday collection on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday collections unchanged. Recycling: Normal collection schedules remain in effect. Yard Waste : Monday collection on Tuesday, Tuesday collection on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday collections unchanged. Any questions about refuse, recycling or yard waste collection should be directed to the Public Works Department at 847/933-8427 or visit www.skokie.org. Released by For Immediate Release Prevent West Nile Virus The Health Department is continuing its efforts to minimize the risk of an outbreak of West Nile Virus in 2007. Since we cannot predict the future, prevention is the key to minimizing the impact of the West Nile Virus. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. Individuals should take the following measures to reduce their risk of being bitten by a mosquito:
Homeowners can eliminate mosquito breeding areas by:
If you have any questions regarding West Nile Virus or would like to report potential mosquito breeding sites, contact the Skokie Health Department at 847/933-8484 or visit www.skokie.org. Released by May 31, 2007 Avalon Bay Chosen for Downtown Skokie Redevelopment The Skokie Village Board will soon give formal authorization to Village staff to work out the terms of a development agreement with Avalon Bay Communities, Inc. for a new mixed-use retail project in the western section of Downtown Skokie. At a special Village Board meeting on May 29, 2007, Avalon Bay, Morningside Group and Norwood Builders, Inc., gave presentations on their responses to a January 2007 Request for Qualifications the Village issued for the redevelopment project. The three firms were finalists from a total of seven responding with redevelopment proposals for the block bounded by Brown Street to the north, Oakton Street to the south, Lincoln Avenue to the east and Floral Avenue to the west. “The Village Board agreed that Avalon Bay is the best of the best,” commented Mayor George Van Dusen. “All three firms gave excellent presentations with interesting concepts for the redevelopment block. A number of factors led to Avalon Bay’s selection, including their extensive development experience, well-developed land strategy and the unique product they offer Downtown Skokie.” Avalon Bay specializes in one- and two-bedroom luxury rental properties, with firm representatives citing 95% occupancy of their developments across the United States. According to Van Dusen, Avalon Bay plans to begin the project without any pre-sale requirements typical of mixed-use projects with a residential component. “This also appealed to the Village Board, along with Avalon Bay’s strong financial status that includes a development fund,” he explained. Avalon Bay is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a regional office in Arlington Heights, Illinois. In late June or July 2007, the Village Board is expected to give formal authorization for Village Manager Albert Rigoni and staff to begin advancing a development agreement with Avalon Bay. While the primary project focus is on two Village-owned parcels in the center and southern sections of the redevelopment block, Avalon Bay and all responding developers included concepts for larger portions of the block. The Village plans to continue regular public communication with Skokie residents and Downtown Skokie businesses during all phases of the redevelopment project. - 30 - For additional information: For Immediate Release Participate in SWANCC’s At Home Pick-Up Program The Village of Skokie and SWANCC (Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County) encourages recycling or donating materials to reduce waste whenever possible. To assist Skokie residents with this effort, SWANCC now offers an At Home Computer Pick Up Program for personal computers and various other home electronics. The cost is $25.00 per household pick up. There is a maximum of six items per scheduled pick up. Individual items should not exceed 50 pounds. At Home pick ups are scheduled every other week and Skokie’s pick up day is Tuesday. For more information on recycling in the community contact SWANCC at 847/724-9205 or at www.swancc.org. For information regarding residential recycling collection in Skokie, contact the Public Works Department at 847/933-8427 or visit www.skokie.org. Released by May 31, 2007 Skokie Celebrates Council-Manager Form of Government Anniversary The Village of Skokie officially celebrates the 50 th Anniversary of the Council-Manager form of government at the June 4, 2007 Village Board meeting that begins at 8 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie. The public is invited to attend. The meeting agenda includes the first showing of a special anniversary video, 1957: Vote Modern, Vote Manager that presents the history of a community wide referendum, brought forth by a citizens group, asking Skokie residents to decide if the Village should adopt the Council-Manager form of government. The referendum passed and led the way to Skokie being the professionally managed community that it is today. The June 4 anniversary celebration also includes presentations by both the International City/County Management Association and the Illinois City/County Management Association, and information about the Excellence in Professional Government Management scholarship the Village has established at Oakton Community College. Beginning in fall 2007, the scholarship will be awarded annually to a Skokie resident attending Oakton who aspires to a career in government administration. At the June 4 celebration, Mayor George Van Dusen and former Mayor Jacqueline Gorell (1988 to 1998) will present awards to three individuals who served on the 1957 referendum committee that successfully established the Council-Manager form of government in Skokie. The honorees include referendum committee co-chairmen Marshall Fulkerson and William McAuliffe and referendum committee member and local newspaper columnist Jean Doney. - 30 - For additional information: |
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