Skokie public meetings in 2022
26 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Trustees
The Board approved site plans for mixed-use buildings and a bank facility with a drive-through. They also authorized a new bird strike mitigation building code and awarded several municipal contracts. A motion was passed to hold public hearings on a formalized affordable housing policy by the end of Q1 2023.
- Approved $542,737.92 contract to Via Meridiana Contractors for North Shore Center for the Performing Arts canopy improvements
- Approved site plan and special use permit for a drive-through bank at 9409 Skokie Blvd
- Approved site plan for mixed-use building at 8029-8047 Skokie Blvd (6-1)
- Approved site plan for mixed-use development at 5400-5420 Old Orchard Rd
- Authorized drafting of Bird Strike Mitigation Building Design Guidelines ordinance
- Approved $31,500 contract to McKim & Creed, Inc. for leak detection survey
- Approved $30,183.36 purchase of ECG Monitor/Defibrillator/Pacer from Zoll Medical Corp.
- Approved amendment to Police Officer Lateral Entry recruitment rules
Appearance Commission
The Appearance Commission approved two requests for floor additions at Lawndale Ave. and Fitch Ave. Both items were approved as presented.
- Approved 1% floor addition at 8426 Lawndale Ave. (7-0-0)
- Approved 1st & 2nd floor addition at 5125 Fitch Ave. (7-0-0)
Technology Advancement and Transformation Commission (STAT)
The Commission approved the minutes from November 15, 2022. Members volunteered for various roles to develop upcoming programming, including solar energy, cybersecurity, and home medical technology events. No other formal votes were taken.
- Approved November 15, 2022 meeting minutes
- Appointed Scott as Vice-chair
- Scheduled Cyber Security Program for May 4, 2023
Economic Development Commission
The Economic Development Commission will discuss the Village's Environmental Sustainability Plan, including key elements and how the commission can assist. They will also review a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a Skokie Economic Development Strategy and discuss business retention and expansion efforts. Development updates for Downtown Skokie, Main Street, and Old Orchard will be provided.
- Review of Environmental Sustainability Plan with Liz Zimmerman
- Discussion of RFQ for Skokie Economic Development Strategy
- Business retention and expansion overview and EDC role
- Development updates for Downtown Skokie, Main Street, and Old Orchard
Board of Health
The Board of Health approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from November 10, 2022. The session primarily consisted of reports on respiratory disease trends and updates on community health programs.
- Approved agenda by consent
- Approved November 10, 2022 minutes by consent
- Tabled BOH Onboarding Subcommittee item until January 2023
Commission on Family Services
The Commission received a presentation on the first year of the Co-Responder program and discussed upcoming senior and family resource events. No new ordinances or funding measures were decided.
- Approved agenda by consent
- Approved November 2, 2022 minutes by consent
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees approved zoning amendments to the Office Research (OR) district to allow medium density residential and limited-service restaurants with drive-throughs. They also approved the site plan for 5400-5420 Old Orchard Road. Additionally, the Board adopted an ordinance regarding condominiums.
- Approved zoning amendment to allow limited service restaurants with drive-throughs as a special use in the OR District (7-0)
- Approved zoning amendment to add medium density residential, limited-service restaurants with drive-throughs, and general commercial uses to the OR district (6-0, 1 abstain)
- Approved site plan for 5400-5420 Old Orchard Road (6-0, 1 abstain)
- Adopted ordinance 22-12-C-4622 amending Village Code pertaining to condominiums (Omnibus vote)
- Appointed London Summerville to the Commission on Family Services (Omnibus vote)
- Reappointed Mike Lynk as Chair and Tom DaMario as Vice Chair of the Appearance Commission (Omnibus vote)
- Reappointed Will Evans, Jr. as Chair of the Board of Fire & Police Commission (Omnibus vote)
- Approved Voucher List #14-FY23 (Omnibus vote)
Beautification and Improvement Commission
The Commission discussed updating its website to promote sustainable landscaping and revising the Beautification Awards nomination form to include native plant questions. Members also reviewed the village weed ordinance and agreed to provide recommendations to staff at the next meeting.
- Approved November 3, 2022 meeting minutes
- Agreed to remove language regarding hanging banners and parkway landscapes from the commission's purview
- Agreed to add questions about native plants and perennials to the Beautification Awards nomination form
- Decided to revisit the weed ordinance at the next meeting to provide general recommendations to staff
Plan Commission
The Plan Commission approved an amendment to Section 118 of the Village Code to prohibit vape shops and massage parlors from operating as stand-alone businesses. These uses must now be subordinate to primary businesses. The commission also held an informational discussion on bird strike mitigation guidelines for the Building Code.
- Approved amendment to restrict vape shops and massage parlors to subordinate uses (6-0)
- Approved minutes from September 15, 2022 meeting
- No vote taken on Bird Strike Mitigation Building Design Guidelines
Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission
The Commission reviewed the Village Board's recent approval of the Environmental Sustainability Plan and the transition to once-per-week refuse collection. Members discussed creating a work plan, establishing a public progress dashboard, and developing a sustainability checklist for new construction.
- Unanimously approved October 25, 2022 meeting minutes
Board of Trustees
The Board approved contracts for police and public works vehicles and bulk rock salt. It also adopted an environmental chapter for the Comprehensive Plan and modified the threshold for condominium deconversions. Additionally, the Board approved a plan to eliminate second weekly refuse pick-up in favor of a food compost program.
- Approved $465,792.50 contract with Bloomington Ford Inc. for police and public works vehicles
- Approved $254,912 contract with Compass Minerals America, Inc. for bulk rock salt
- Approved elimination of second weekly refuse pick-up and recommendation of a food compost program
- Approved ordinance modifying site plan at 5201-5239 Touhy Avenue
- Adopted Chapter 5.5 - Environment for the Village Comprehensive Plan
- Approved raising condominium sale threshold to 10 units or 85% owner agreement
- Appointed Baccet Levy and Scott Shamberg (Vice Chair) to Telecommunications & Technology Commission
- Swore in John Oakley as Police Commander
Technology Advancement and Transformation Commission (STAT)
The Commission approved the minutes from July 27, 2022, and noted the resignation of Christopher Whitaker. Members discussed several proposed community programming ideas, including a technology glossary and a cybersecurity event. No formal votes were taken on the proposed programming items.
- Approved July 27, 2022 meeting minutes
- Appointed Scott Shamberg as Vice-Chair of the Commission
Performing Arts Center Board
The Board approved the previous meeting minutes and reviewed operational reports regarding the Executive Director's departure and upcoming facility renovations. The Village Board has approved contracts for a new back-up power generator and HVAC system replacement for the main theatre backstage areas.
- Approved meeting minutes
- Endorsed new and returning artists including Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, Steven Page, and Amos Lee
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees held a special meeting to receive a report and recommendations for a new 8-year Sustainability Plan. No votes were taken on the plan's contents; the Board will deliberate and vote on the plan and public policy elements at the November 21, 2022 meeting.
- Tabled approval of Sustainability Plan until November 21, 2022
- Approved motion to adjourn meeting (7-0)
Board of Health
The Board of Health approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from October 13, 2022. Members discussed the appointment process for the Vice Chair and reviewed a draft member onboarding guide. No other substantive votes were recorded.
- Approved agenda via consent
- Approved October 13, 2022 minutes via consent
- Tabled member introductions
Fine Arts Commission
The commission selected the individual and group recipients for the 2022 Artistic Excellence Awards. They also agreed to present an honorary award to Michael Pauken. Planning continued for a February 2023 storytelling event and a March 2023 SOAR exhibit.
- Selected Jennifer Page for the individual Artistic Excellence Award
- Selected Robin Horwitz and the Devonshire Cultural Center for the group Artistic Excellence Award
- Agreed to present an honorary award to Michael Pauken
Appearance Commission
The Appearance Commission approved four requests regarding building facades, signage, and a floor addition. All motions were granted as presented or with conditions.
- Approved 1% floor addition at 9530 Central Park Ave (4-0-3)
- Approved commercial signage at 7701 Lincoln Ave (4-0-3)
- Approved commercial facade at 4847 Old Orchard Center (4-0-3)
- Approved updated building facade at 8009 Niles Ave with conditions (4-0-3)
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees approved a site plan, subdivision plat, and zoning map amendments for a mixed-use development at 5404-5440 Touhy Avenue and 7235 Linder Avenue. Several infrastructure and software contracts were awarded via the consent agenda. The Board also approved a special use permit for religious assembly at 8256 Skokie Boulevard.
- Approved zoning map amendments for 5404-5418 and 5440 Touhy Avenue (6-1)
- Approved site plan for mixed-use development at 5404-5440 Touhy Avenue and 7235 Linder Avenue (6-1)
- Approved subdivision plat for 5404-5440 Touhy Avenue and 7235 Linder Avenue (6-1)
- Approved special use permit for religious assembly at 8256 Skokie Boulevard (7-0)
- Awarded $48,595 emergency sewer repair contract to DeVinci Construction Inc.
- Awarded $104,263 HVAC equipment replacement contract to Stanton Mechanical
- Awarded $66,821 software maintenance contract renewal to BS&A Systems
- Appointed Sibyl Yau as Vice Chair of the Board of Health
Commission on Family Services
The commission approved the September 7, 2022, meeting minutes. Staff provided updates on the Seniors Matter Rideshare program and the Assist A Family holiday initiative. Subcommittees discussed planning for the 2023 Boomers and Beyond senior resource fair.
- Approved September 7, 2022 minutes with one spelling correction
Skokie Police Use of Force Review Board
The board approved the minutes from the May 9 meeting. Members discussed use of force demographics and traffic stop data provided by Chief Baker. A sub-group was formed to develop a report outline following a member survey.
- Approved May 9 meeting minutes
- Formed sub-group (Alecia Wartowsld, James Specker, Karen Sherman) to develop report outline
Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission
The Commission reviewed a proposed ordinance to reduce bird strikes in new construction and major renovations. The body also discussed updates to the Comprehensive Plan and potential village-wide composting options. No votes were taken on the proposed ordinance or composting programs.
- Approved September 22, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
Human Relations Commission
The Skokie Human Relations Commission heard a presentation from Elizabeth Nelson on equity data and the IPlan framework for 2023-2028. Trustee Khem reported an escalation in incidents in Skokie that do not meet the legal definition of hate crimes, and discussed moving such cases to the HRC for community resolution. The NAMI walk raised $94,000 with 209 participants. No formal votes or decisions were taken; the meeting was largely informational and procedural.
- Deborah A. volunteered to take minutes moving forward
- Members agreed to hold a combined November/December meeting as a potluck on November 28, 2022
Economic Development Commission
The commission will receive updates from the Community Development Department and the Economic Development Department. Discussions include the Homewood Suites By Hilton project and various downtown and village-wide developments.
- Homewood Suites By Hilton construction and groundbreaking update
- 8031 Niles Parking Garage
- Oakton Terrace and Annie’s projects
- Strategic Plan RFP
- SESBA Grants
Economic Development Commission
The commission will review elements and timelines for economic development branding. Members will also discuss the current Skokie development update and a draft Request for Information (RFI) regarding economic development strategy.
- Economic Development Branding discussion
- Skokie Development Update including zoning and TIF districts
- Review of Economic Development Strategy RFI draft
Economic Development Commission
The commission will discuss updates to the economic strategy, including its elements and timeline. Members will review zoning, TIF districts, and incentive overviews from the Village and Cook County. Staff will provide development updates for the Old Orchard Center Business District, Downtown Skokie, and village-wide projects.
- Economic strategy timeline and engagement
- Zoning and TIF District updates
- Village and Cook County incentive overviews
- Old Orchard Center Business District developments
- Downtown Skokie developments
Economic Development Commission
The Economic Development Commission is meeting to review the Downtown Skokie Homewood Suites Hotel project. Members will also discuss potential changes to the Village's retail street requirements and receive development updates for the Old Orchard Center Business District and other areas.
- Downtown Skokie Homewood Suites Hotel Project
- Proposed changes to Village retail street requirements
- Old Orchard Center Business District development updates
- Downtown Skokie and village-wide development updates