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Skokie Human Relations Commission names three block‑party winners and plans community forum
Summary
The Human Relations Commission recognized three winners of Skokie’s 2025 block‑party awards — the 5100 block of Elm, 8100 Long Avenue, and 7900 Keeler — and announced an April 29 forum to help residents plan new block parties.
At the March 16 meeting the Human Relations Commission chair, Maria Monastero Bueno, presented the 2025 Block Party of the Year awards and invited representatives from the winning blocks to accept certificates and photos.
Monastero Bueno said block parties help neighbors connect across backgrounds and generations; she reported that 84 block parties were hosted across Skokie in 2025 and that 10 had submitted applications for the award. Winners are the 5100 block of Elm Street (Laramie to LeClaire), the 8100 block of Long Avenue (Keeney to Reba) and the 7900 block of Keeler (Kirk to Oakton). Each winning block will receive a certificate and a commemorative sign to display for the coming year.
The board thanked volunteers and the spirit committee. Monastero Bueno said the village will host a block party forum on April 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the library where winners will share tips and residents can learn how to organize their own events.
Why it matters: Neighborhood block parties are a low‑cost community‑building tool that village staff and volunteers cite as strengthening civic ties and neighbor support. The April forum is intended to help more residents replicate successful events.
Next steps: Winners were invited to the foyer for photos; staff will run the April 29 forum at the library to provide planning guidance to residents.
