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1. What is the status of Skokie Park District programs and services?

See information from the Skokie Park District regarding programs, facilities and services available during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. What can I do to help my neighbors and the community?

Take preventive measures
In addition to practicing good hygiene, if a person is exposed to someone who develops the virus, they should take proactive measures to quarantine (self-isolate) themselves from others for 14 days.

Join the Medical Reserve Corps
You can also help protect the health and well-being of our community by joining the Skokie Medical Reserve Corps. The Corps is a volunteer group of medical and non-medical professionals who assist the Health Department. If you’re interested in joining, email Claudia Braden, RN, at the Skokie Health Department.

Donate Blood
Organizations like Red Cross and Vitalant are in urgent need of blood donations.

Reach out, be a helper
Governor Pritzker has stated, “All of us have a part to play. Be a helper.” A wonderful way to feel better is to help someone else feel better, or safer or calmer. Look for ways to help others, exchange phone numbers with your neighbors, and agree to check in with each other, help each other with shopping or food delivery. Consider safe ways to help through your neighborhood connections like Facebook and NextDoor. Technology and our fast society have isolated us from our neighbors, but technology also offers safe ways to stay connected. Now is the time to support each other in safe and healthy ways.

See March 20, 2020 ABC7 Chicago story, "A Skokie Neighborhood is Staying Connected with Window Art Activity."

3. I am unemployed and need a job. Is the Village hiring?

See information about jobs with the Village of Skokie.

See information about the Chicago Cook County Workforce Partnership that combines federal and philanthropic resources to provide comprehensive workforce development services to employers and job seekers.

4. Where can I report price gouging?

Please report price gouging to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. See the Consumer Complaint reporting forms. 

See more information on price gouging from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

5. Is the water quality safe?

6. What about long-term care facilities in Skokie?

How the Village of Skokie is working with long-term care facilities 

The Skokie Health Department has a close working relationship with the six long-term care facilities in the Village.  By ordinance, health department staff members inspect these facilities every other month to enforce State of Illinois regulations - conducting both nursing and environmental health inspections.

In early March, prior to the first case of COVID-19 in the Village, health department staff met with the administrators and nursing directors of the facilities to review the guidance provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). This guidance has been updated regularly since then, and health department staff remains in close contact with all six of Skokie’s long-term care facilities that are strictly following the IDPH guidance to prevent or limit the spread of COVID-19.

Thanks to area hospitals, especially Skokie Hospital and St. Francis in Evanston, there are no barriers to getting COVID-19 tests for long-term care facility residents or staff. For facilities with a case, the health department works closely with the facility, NorthShore University HealthSystem and the Illinois Department of Public Health to ensure a coordinated effort regarding testing, care and notification protocols.

In addition, the health department has provided all of the long-term care facilities with personal protective equipment (PPE) received through the Illinois stockpile.  All of the facilities have reported that they have adequate PPE supplies.  It also is important to note that current IDPH guidance contains requirements for prompt notification procedures by long-term care facilities to residents and residents’ next of kin, guardians or emergency contacts when that resident, another resident or a staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19 or when a resident dies from COVID-19.

“Long-term care facilities have an important responsibility to provide a safe environment for the vulnerable residents who are under their care,” said Skokie Health Director Dr. Catherine Counard. “My staff and I are assisting their efforts to the extent possible. We are in daily contact and have visited a number of facilities since the beginning of the COVID-10 pandemic.  They are all very concerned and striving to face this tremendous challenge.”