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1. 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: expired/unused medicine disposal, used syringe disposal, compact fluorescent light bulb recycling and battery recycling (excluding single use, non rechargeable alkaline batteries). Call the Health Department at 847-933-8252 for more information about these programs.

2. What is the Skokie Medical Reserve Corps?

This is a new organization in the Village of Skokie. It is a volunteer organization that can enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities in order to support the Community during a disaster. For more information call the Health Department at 847-933-8252 or visit Medical Reserve Corps page.

3. How do I get a certified copy of a birth or death certificate?

The Skokie Health Department maintains records of all births and deaths occurring in Skokie from 1969 to the present. Certified copies of these records are available for purchase. For more information, visit our

Birth and Death Records page.

4. Is smoking regulated in the work place and public places in Skokie?

The smoke-free Illinois Act went into effect on January 1, 2008 which prohibits smoking inside public places, workplaces and outdoors within 15 feet of entrances, exits, windows and ventilation intakes.

5. Where can I rent a car safety seat when my grandchildren come to visit?

The Skokie Health Department offers a short-term car seat loaner program for Skokie residents. The "TOTS" (Travel seats Offer Travel Safety) program loans seats at no cost. A $10 deposit is required and will be returned less a $5 cleaning fee when the seat is brought back in good condition. Borrowers are instructed on the proper installation and usage of the seats. Seats can be reserved by calling the Health Department at 847-933-8252.

6. Can someone present a health related educational program to our group?

Staff in the Skokie Health Department are available to give programs on a wide variety of health related topics. Some examples of program topics include nutrition, diabetes, hypertension, Health Department services, environmental issues and wildlife control. Call the Health Department at 847-933-8252 to schedule a presentation for your group.

7. My power went off for several hours. Is the food in my refrigerator and freezer safe to eat?

This depends greatly on two factors, how long the power was interrupted and whether you opened the refrigerator or freezer doors after your power was lost. Most refrigerators and freezers not opened after a loss of power will maintain temperature for quite some time. Refrigeration units can usually maintain a safe temperature for 8 to 12 hours; while freezers, if kept closed, can maintain a safe temperature for 24 to 48 hours. If the refrigeration or freezer units have been opened, much of the temperature holding capacity has been lost.
If your power is interrupted for more than four hours, the rule of "When in doubt, throw it out" applies to foods in your refrigerator. The foods in the freezer may be used if not completely thawed for more than four hours.

8. Can I keep chickens in Skokie?

No, keeping of chickens and other livestock (cattle, goats, horses, swine, poultry, etc.) is not allowed in the Village of Skokie. Periodically the Mayor and Board of Trustees have Staff review code requirements and policies pertaining to their departments. The keeping of chickens within Skokie Code Section 18-7 “Keeping livestock” was reviewed and evaluated in early 2020 by the Health Department.

The practice associated with keeping chickens has a great potential to attract rats. The Village of Skokie has an aggressive rat control program that includes inspections for rats, treatment of burrows, and ensuring that preventive measures are in place. Residents are encouraged to report rat sightings to the Health Department or by using our: Online Rat Reporting Form

Keeping chickens also has a high potential to create odors, feces, food spillage, noise and attract other predators, many of which already present a problem for homeowners in Skokie, such as: Skunks, Coyotes, Raccoons, Foxes, Feral and domestic cats and Neighborhood dogs.

In communities where backyard chicken farming is allowed a common problem of “poultry abandonment” has been documented. When chickens get to be 2 to 3 years of age, their best egg-producing days are behind them. Unfortunately, many local chicken farmers decide to simply dump aging hens in local parks or forest preserve areas. The problem of abandoned chickens is further burdening local animal shelters, and chicken rescue groups have seen a rise in calls about discarded poultry.

Lastly, the Health risks associated with keeping Chicken is an enormous concern. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recent outbreaks of Salmonella Infections Linked to Backyard Poultry was documented in 2019. The outbreaks in 2019 represent the largest recorded number of people to become sick with Salmonella after contact with backyard poultry.

1,134 people were infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella and were reported from 49 states and the District of Columbia.