Skokie board approves ordinance lowering residential speed limit to 25 mph, effective March 1, 2026

The Skokie Village Board voted June 16, 2025, to approve an ordinance that reduces the default speed limit in residential districts from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour, with the change to take effect March 1, 2026.

The ordinance, presented by Corporation Counsel Barb (corporation counsel), cites a village engineering study and a plan for a public education campaign. Supporters said the change will create consistent posted limits across Skokie and may improve pedestrian and bicycle safety; opponents urged targeted enforcement for egregious violations and raised concerns about traffic displacement to higher-speed state roads.

Corporation Counsel Barb told the board the reduction followed an engineering study and asked for forward action at second reading. Samantha (senior engineer) summarized the study methodology, saying the department had examined residential streets villagewide and gathered speed data; she told trustees the study showed that "96% of the streets in town...the natural flow of traffic was already within the range of this speed limit recommendation," and that the change is intended to provide consistency and appropriate posted limits. Nick Wyatt, assistant village manager and acting village manager, said the village will use its internal sign shop and estimated the signage cost at about $8,000 for materials.

Police Chief Jesse Barnes said the department plans targeted enforcement and warned that, "as speeds increase, the severity of injuries is obviously gonna go up, especially in pedestrian and...bicyclist accidents," adding that enforcement will focus on locations identified by data and community complaints and that an education-first approach — with warnings before citations — is anticipated during the transition.

Patrick Degnan, director of communications and engagement, outlined a multi-pronged education campaign to accompany the change, including summer events outreach, a social media campaign, direct mail and handouts during vehicle sticker season, and light-hearted elements such as a chalk-art contest and themed giveaways to increase awareness. "We have the ability to reach actual Skokie drivers directly," Degnan said, describing in-person and mail outreach during the vehicle sticker period.

Trustees asked for and received implementation and monitoring steps: the mayor requested a written report to the board with post-implementation data to be received on or about May 1, 2026 (roughly 60 days after the March 1 effective date) and a verbal report with backup for the first board meeting in August 2026; staff said additional reporting intervals could follow after that. The board discussed enforcement priorities and potential unintended effects — including routing changes on state-controlled streets — and several trustees emphasized the need to pair the limit change with clear public education and targeted enforcement.

A motion to approve the ordinance was made by Trustee Pierce Sloane and seconded by Trustee Lisa Levy; the roll call showed the trustees present voting in favor and the motion passed.

Details and next steps: the ordinance sets the effective date of March 1, 2026; village staff said they will complete signage installation and run the education campaign before that date. The engineering staff reported they collected speed data as part of the study (described in the staff presentation) and said enforcement initially will include warnings while drivers adjust to new signage.

The village did not adopt changes to state-controlled roadways; staff and trustees noted that routing and enforcement on state (IDOT) roads are outside village authority and could shift traffic patterns. The board also reserved the right to request additional data or adjustments after the August 2026 report.