The winter months can be pretty brutal here, especially having to deal with snow. Luckily, the Village of Skokie Public Works Department is here to help alleviate some of the misery of snow removal. After at least 2 inches of snowfall, alternate side parking goes into effect. Alternate side parking is a program that allows Public Works to clear Village owned and maintained streets of snow over a two day period. Here is how it works:

  • If there has been 2 inches of snowfall residents should confirm that alternate side parking is in effect by calling the automated snow line 847-675-SNOW (7669), listening to Skokie radio 1660 AM, viewing the cable channel  SkokieVision  on RCN channel 25/ Comcast channel 17, or visiting http://www.skokie.org
  • Alternate side parking hours are between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. seven days a week. A siren will go off at 7 a.m. to alert residents to move their vehicles by 8 a.m and another siren will sound at 6 p.m. to indicate the end of alternate side parking enforcement for the evening.
  • On odd numbered calendar dates, residents should park their vehicles on the side of the street with odd numbered addresses. On even numbered calendar days, residents should park their vehicles on the side of the street with even numbered addresses.
    • For example, if alternate side parking goes into effect on the 3rd of the month and your address is 5215, you should park your vehicle on the side of the street that you live on the first day of alternate side parking. On the second day of alternate side parking, the 4th of the month, you should park your vehicle across the street from your home. This ensures that both sides of the street may be fully cleared of snow. 
  • Compliance with alternate side parking is mandatory. If you are not properly parked, you risk receiving a $50 fine and having your vehicle towed. 
  • If you do not have off street parking, you still need to make arrangements to move your vehicle. The Village allows temporary parking in three Village owned lots until 6:01 p.m. on the last day of alternate side parking to assist with this:
    • North Skokie Swift parking lot that is accessed off of Gross Point Road north of Dempster Street. Parking is allowed in the section of the lot closest to Gross Point Road.
    • The municipal parking lot near Crafty Beaver on the north side of Oakton Street in Downtown Skokie.
    • Skokie Swift parking lot on the northwest corner of Skokie Boulevard and Searle Parkway.
  • There are some Village streets that are exempt on Saturdays, Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's day. There are also some streets that are not owned or maintained by the Village that are also exempt.  Check here to see if your street is one of them. 

Pro-Tips:

  • Keep an eye on the weather, if snow is predicted try to park on the proper side of the street the night before if you will not be moving your car until after 8 a.m.
    • Ditto for the second day of alternate side parking, as soon as 6 p.m. hits try to move your car. 
  • Exceptions are very rarely, if ever granted for snow parking. If you are going out of town or need assistance moving your car, make arrangements at the beginning of the winter season to park your car elsewhere or have someone available to move it for you in the event of snow.