News in Skokie

‘It’s a sacred service’: Volunteer Jewish group offers end-of-life ritual support
A human body lay motionless on a raised platform, surrounded by about 20 volunteers. All were gathered in a specially equipped downstairs room at Chicago Jewish Funerals, in Skokie, to learn about taharah: the practice of preparing a body for burial. The training was sponsored by…

Biss, Elleson make their national scripts local in first congressional forum
With 40 days to go until Election Day, congressional nominees Daniel Biss (above left) and John Elleson shared the stage at the Skokie Public Library on Thursday for their first shared forum, with both finding ways to bring national issues back to their localities in the 9th…

Haven, Nichols District 65 feedback meetings focus on walkable schools, questions about cost savings
More than 120 community members gathered at meetings Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 preliminary proposal to cut $20 million from its budget and close two more schools. An official plan outlining this proposition will be presented by…

After pleading guilty, man sentenced to 7 years for painting hate symbols at Northwestern University earlier this year
A Niles man was sentenced Thursday to seven years in prison after he pleaded guilty to painting hate symbols on the Northwestern University campus earlier this year. Shahid Hussain, 43, of Niles, pleaded guilty Thursday in court in Skokie to two counts of hate and one count of…

Mya Wilkins will not seek reelection to District 65 board
Evanston/Skokie District 65 board member Mya Wilkins will not run for reelection, she confirmed to the RoundTable Thursday. “I feel that I’ve done my duty and it is time to give someone else a chance to serve,” Wilkins wrote in an email to the RoundTable. Wilkins, who’s the…

District 65 forensic audit to be completed this week
The forensic audit ordered by the Evanston/Skokie District 65 school board back in January will be finished this week before being first shared with board members and later with the public at large, according to a district spokesperson. The board hired accounting firm Crowe LLP…

New Thrive65 group encourages parents to help inform District 65 budget cuts
At the first meeting of Thrive65, a recently formed community group focused on supporting the future of Evanston/Skokie School District 65, organizers encouraged parents in attendance to consider their must-haves for the district, warning that harsh cuts to address the district’s…

District 65 to present plan to cut $20 million from budget, close at least 2 more schools
Evanston/Skokie District 65 administrators announced at Monday night’s school board meeting that they will formally present plans next month to slash $20 million from the budget and close at least two more school buildings. Those plans will also include reducing purchased…

Alma Advisory Group kicks off District 65 superintendent search
Alma Advisory Group CEO Monica Santana Rosen gave a presentation to the Evanston/Skokie District 65 school board on Monday night to officially kick off the district’s search for a new superintendent. The board chose Alma from a field of three options in a 6-1 vote last month. At…

District 65 issues another $15.96 million in tax anticipation warrants
The Evanston/Skokie District 65 school board unanimously approved a resolution Monday authorizing the district to issue up to $15.96 million in tax anticipation warrants, which are short-term loans borrowed against future property tax collections to help cover operating expenses.…

North Channel Community Rowing celebrates new double shell by christening it in honor of Delores A. Holmes
North Channel Community Rowing (NCCR) celebrated the addition of a new double shell to its fleet with the christening of the “Delores A. Holmes” on Sept. 12 at Dammrich Rowing Center in Skokie. The ceremony brought together middle school NCCR athletes, parents, community leaders…