Skokie board approves Oakton Street agreement with Cook County, advances water-main work
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Summary
The Skokie Village Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with Cook County for Oakton Street improvements and authorized a change order to expedite water-main replacement, with the village's financial exposure capped at $150,000 and water-fund reserves covering additional costs.
The Skokie Village Board on a unanimous vote approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Cook County to lead design, bidding and construction of Oakton Street improvements and authorized a change order to accelerate water-main replacement ahead of the county’s resurfacing project.
Village Manager John Lockerbie told trustees the Oakton Street project is estimated at about $4.6 million and that Cook County will serve as the lead agency, with the village’s share currently estimated at $95,434.84 and the village’s financial obligation capped at $150,000. “The proposed intergovernmental agreement … establishes that the county will serve as the lead agency,” Lockerbie said.
Why it matters: the work reshapes a corridor that serves schools, businesses and neighborhood traffic. Trustees and residents focused on two issues: how the village can ensure timely county performance and how design changes may affect pedestrian safety and local businesses during and after construction.
Trustees pressed staff on remedies for delays and on maintenance responsibilities. “They have assured us that they want this one to be the first project out the door for Cook County's construction season,” Public Works Director Patrick Hastings said, adding that the IGA accounts for some maintenance-agreement elements. Hastings also described several safety features planned for crossings near Elizabeth Meyer School, including rapid rectangular flashing beacons (RRFBs), pedestrian refuges and ladder-bar crosswalk markings.
Residents urged caution. Miss Gradnicki, speaking during public comment, recommended more shade and permeable-surface requirements for parking lots to reduce urban-heat effects—“Parking lots absorb 82% of incoming light,” she said—and pressed for design features that reduce risks when cars stop for pedestrians. Another resident objected to lane reductions, saying the plan would “destroy small business” by limiting on-street parking and vehicle access.
Water-main change order: staff recommended using Joel Kennedy Construction Company—already mobilized under a 2025 contract—to perform water-main replacement along Oakton ahead of resurfacing. Lockerbie said the village originally awarded Joel Kennedy a contract of $8.3 million for water-main and sewer rehabilitation and proposed reallocating the contract’s remaining balance (reported in the meeting as approximately $1,259,919) and adding about $1,620,000 to meet a $2,880,000 estimate. Those additional costs, staff said, can be covered by available water fund reserves.
Board action and next steps: the board moved and approved the IGA authorizing reimbursement to Cook County not to exceed $150,000 and then approved the change order with Joel Kennedy Construction to advance the water-main work. Staff said the project will include public meetings and continued coordination with county engineers; they warned that construction schedules can be affected by underground utility issues and weather and that “there are sometimes delays” beyond local control.
The board also scheduled additional public engagement and will discuss related budget items at upcoming budget hearings.
