The Skokie Environmental Sustainability Plan (ESP) development is on schedule and a final draft is expected in coming months. In May 2022, environmental consulting firm paleBLUEdot, which has
led similar successful projects in numerous communities, began guiding a diverse team through the plan development and public engagement process. Representatives from Village staff/boards and commissions, the Skokie Park District, the Skokie Library, Oakton Community College, community environmental groups/and Skokie businesses are participating, with additional community input from an online survey, several smaller meetings and a community listening session.
The plan will provide implementation support tools as well as prioritize actions and provide metrics for tracking progress. The overarching goal is to create a plan that is authentically sustainable, works toward carbon neutrality and that supports equity and a higher quality of life for all.
The draft plan will be presented to the Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission on Thursday, September 22 at 7 p.m., and will be reviewed again at a second and final community listening session on Thursday, September 29 at 7 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the Council Chambers at Skokie Village Hall and will open to the public and broadcast live on the Village’s cable television and YouTube channels. The draft plan also will be available for review on the Village website. Watch for more information at skokie.org in coming weeks.