Skokie board approves theater grant, Main Street streetscape bid and multiple ordinances

The Skokie Village Board voted on July 20 to approve a set of grants, contracts and code changes intended to advance downtown improvements, business-friendly permitting and municipal services.

Key votes and actions included a reimbursement storefront enhancement grant of up to $50,000 to support phase 1 improvements at the Skokie Theater (7924 Lincoln Ave), acceptance of Copenhagen Construction's low bid of $1,832,300 for the Main Street streetscape improvement project, and authorization for village staff and corporation counsel to prepare an ordinance to implement a business registration program that will replace some historical uses of the term "certificate of occupancy." The board also approved contracting with TPMA for a not-to-exceed $90,000 economic vitality strategy and voted to retain Rauchy & Sullivan Strategies LLC for governmental representation at $4,500 per month following a pilot engagement.

Mayor Anne Tennis and village staff described the storefront grant as a targeted support for owners renovating a long-vacant theater; the new ownership team said it expects a phased reopening beginning in late September and that some construction will continue into the following year. In discussion trustees asked about the building's closure during renovation and the phased work plan; the owners confirmed staged reopening and continued phased improvements.

On the Main Street streetscape project, Economic Vitality Manager Rodney Tonelli said the work follows a corridor study and will add hardscaping, planting, new lighting, curb extensions, bike racks and improved pedestrian amenities on the corridor between Crawford and Kilditter. He told trustees the project will be paid from a combination of previously received grant funds (including a $600,000 state grant) and the village's CIP. Resident Ken Marley pressed staff on public outreach and why this particular block was selected; the manager responded that the village had purchased a storefront there and that agreements with property owners and a corridor implementation plan inform the chosen footprint.

Trustees discussed phasing, potential business impacts during construction and bicycle parking; staff said the plan includes bike racks and that a project engineer will coordinate construction to limit business disruptions.

The board took a first reading of a water-rate ordinance for FY27 that includes a $1.14-per-100-cubic-feet adjustment (raising many minimum bills by about $11.39) and an inflation-based change to the homeowner share of private-side lead service-line replacement (from $3,000 to $3,130); both items were scheduled for second reading and final action on Aug. 17. Assistant corporation counsel Stu Weiss presented the FY27 appropriations ordinance (which follows the budget the board adopted in May); Trustee Gail Schechter noted the ordinance contains a planned equity adjustment to the village manager's compensation that will be finalized at the next meeting.

Other items approved: an ordinance allowing temporary sale and consumption of alcohol at the Park District's Backlot Bash special event, a local code amendment recognizing the state'defined "class 3 craft distiller," a small cleanup removal of a parcel from the downtown redevelopment area, and a resolution consolidating parcels at 9050 Keystone Ave. The board also voted to expand the newly created Youth Commission from 16 to up to 25 members to allow additional outreach to Evanston Township High School applicants.

The meeting also included ceremonial items and community recognition: Mayor Tennis read a proclamation honoring Anne Fisher Rainey, the long-serving Turning Point executive director, and Bruce Rotner administered oaths to a newly promoted lieutenant and two new firefighters.

Trustees moved the board to closed session at the meeting's end to discuss pending litigation and sale of land under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.