Health & Fitness
You Won't Believe This Photo, Skokie
What are the community rules we live by here in Skokie? And what is the village doing to articulate those rules.
My parents were strict. Dishes were to be cleaned after dinner, report cards needed As and Bs and heaven forbid we left our shoes randomly tossed on the floor. Those were our house rules. And there were consequences for breaking those rules.
Living in Skokie I've often wondered what the rules are here. Although our community expectations should be pretty clear, I think things are changing. For example, I've noticed a lot more litter on my street; strange cars parked on my block for days on end; and, a certain urban feel to Skokie that wasn't here before.
Is it the empty storefronts and razed lots on Dempster Street and Skokie Boulevard that give our village a persona that is different from years past? Many longtime residents will tell you about driving down these same streets year ago with vibrant businesses and a thriving community.
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Perhaps the proliferation of certain stores - pawn shops, cash for gold storefronts and Salvation Army - have changed part of our community's character. Right or wrong, these stores give rise to negative opinions - and the conversation inevitably becomes a discussion of community standards and at some point we ask: "What do we want our Village to look like?".
It appears village officials have noticed too. A recently
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Will an ordiance fix all of our community problems? Probably not. But at least it's a start and a realization from our elected officials that Skokie's house rules need review, refinement and enforcement.
The Commission will continue their deliberations of the topic at their next meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on May 16, at Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton St.
The picture -
Also, in case you were wondering where the picture from above was taken I'll fill you in. A car "was reported burglarized in the 7900 block of Niles Avenue on May 7." The report said the owner of a 1995 model Toyota 4Runner had its rims and tires stolen. This picture was taken on that same day on the same block.
