Beautification and Improvement Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2025-08-07

Village of Skokie Beautification and Improvement Commission
 Meeting Agenda
 August 7, 2025 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
 Room D & E (upstairs)
 I. Motion to Approve June Minutes

 II. Parade Recap-Bob

 III. Speaker Series, Fall Speaker Update-Rachel

 IV. Possible Planting Activity-Katy

 V. Garden Walk -Group Discussion

 VI. Awards Program Update and Discussion of Next Steps-George

 VII. Report (optional) by Cathy Stevens, Assistant Director, Public Works

 VIII. Report (optional), Trustee Liaison

 IX. Old Businesses

 X. New Business

 XI. Public Comment

 XII. Adjournment

Email me if you have an agenda item you would like to be considered for a future meeting.
Thanks.

Bob Quane, quane@siu.edu
847-271-3868

MINUTES
 Skokie Beau ﬁca on and Improvement Commission
 Thursday, August 7, 2025


Mee ng called to open at 6:35 pm. Due to a lack of quorum there was no mo on to approve
the June 2025 minutes.
4thof July Parade Recap: Flowe s ckers and candy were passed out. Seventeen people donned
their bu erﬂy wings for the event including commissions Levin, Olney-Page, Madalinski, and
Ellison-Smith. Some members of the Family Services and Human Rela ons Commissions hitched
a ride including three Skokie residents that wanted to par cipate.
Speaker Series: Rachel was absent, so Commissioner and Chair Quane provided an update. A
promo onal ﬂyer was shown for the presenta on en tled Cul va ng Habitat: Sustainable
Garden Prac ces for Fall and Spring. The event will take place at the library on Oct. 16, 7:30 pm
with registra on opening on Sept. 2. All commissioners were encouraged to register and a end.
The event will be publicized on NextDoor, Skokie Parent Group, Go Green Skokie,
Skokie/Evanston Plant Club, What’s Happening in Skokie, and Village Scoop.
Fall Plan ng Ac vity: The preferred date for this ac vity is Sunday, October 5. The loca on is
Babb Ave and Louise Street near the Ace Hardware. Lead organizer Katy Darr was absent so
Commissioner and Chair Quane provided a report. Katy’s design and the plants selected were
shared. The variety of plants will bloom at diﬀerent mes between May-September. The Village
(Public Works) has approved the ﬁnal plan and will prepare the loca on for plan ng prior to Oct
5. Commissioner Shuman suggested adding in some taller plants if line of the line of sight not an
issue.
Garden Walk Discussion: The consensus of the group indicated that a garden walk is a
worthwhile addi on to the work of the Commission. Commission Shrag was absent to speak on
the topic but will put together a working group to work oﬄine (no more than 5 members or
majority of a quorum). There was discussion on how to make the walk appealing to residents,
possibly, even a simple virtual walk of past award winners. Feeback was provided by
Commissioner Potash who a ended the Skokie Garden Club garden walk on behalf of the
Commission.
Award Program Update: The 2025 Awards program consisted of 90 entries, 10 more than last
year. This year’s judges are Commissioner Darr, Madalinski, Sevilla-Velesko, Potash, and
Hubchak. Judging of the proper es will take place over the next two weeks. Commissioner
Quane indicated that he has the printed s ckers for repeat winners to add to yard signs. S ckers
designed by Commissioner Darr. There was some discussion of limi ng the number of repeat
winners, recognizing mul year winners, will we be ordering plants to give away on awards
recogni on night, and if we should con nue with cer ﬁcates?
Report From Cathy Srevens (Forester): Planted 67 trees using the USDA grant and will keep
plan ng a long as the grant stays in place. Discussion on the need for watering planted trees.
Public Comment: None


Mee ng Adjourned at 7:21 pm.
Respec ully submi ed:
Note taker, Kaylee Aleksic- Public Works-Forester Intern
Typist. Bob Quane, Chair