Skokie board adopts $169.0 million all‑funds budget for fiscal 2026; general fund $73.86 million
June 05, 2025 | Skokie, Cook County, Illinois
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SKOKIE, Ill. — The Village of Skokie Board of Trustees on June 4, 2025, approved the fiscal year 2026 budget, adopting a $73,859,523 general fund operating plan and a $169,042,279 all‑funds budget that includes water, pension, capital projects and other funds.
Board approval came after three public hearings in May and a presentation from Village Manager John Lockerbie, who described the memorandum in the meeting packet as a summary of actions and decisions from those hearings. “The FY 2026 general fund budget … equates to $73,859,523,” Lockerbie said during his presentation.
The budget funds municipal services ranging from water and public safety to the capital improvement program and tax increment financing. Trustee Schechter commended staff and boards for producing a detailed document and highlighted cross‑cutting priorities she described as service delivery, fiscal responsibility, public health and sustainability, development and “connection and connectivity” across programs.
Trustee Iverson urged residents to review the budget, calling it “very accessible” despite its size. Manager Lockerbie told the board that communications staff will publish a “budget at a glance” to make priorities and figures easier for residents to find and understand.
During the meeting’s public comment period, Jim Barnard of Go Green Skokie asked whether rebates for electric leaf blowers and electric lawn mowers could be extended. Lockerbie responded that the board was considering the budget that evening and that continuation of the program was included in the FY2026 budget. “The program is alive and well, and so it continues until that line item is exhausted,” he said.
A motion to adopt the FY2026 budget was moved and seconded at the meeting and then approved by roll call vote. Trustees who voiced comments during the discussion included Trustee Schechter and Trustee Iverson, who both praised the document and its emphasis on coordination across departments.
The board’s approval sets spending and priorities for the coming fiscal year; staff said they will publish summary materials and make the full budget available on the village website.
Board approval came after three public hearings in May and a presentation from Village Manager John Lockerbie, who described the memorandum in the meeting packet as a summary of actions and decisions from those hearings. “The FY 2026 general fund budget … equates to $73,859,523,” Lockerbie said during his presentation.
The budget funds municipal services ranging from water and public safety to the capital improvement program and tax increment financing. Trustee Schechter commended staff and boards for producing a detailed document and highlighted cross‑cutting priorities she described as service delivery, fiscal responsibility, public health and sustainability, development and “connection and connectivity” across programs.
Trustee Iverson urged residents to review the budget, calling it “very accessible” despite its size. Manager Lockerbie told the board that communications staff will publish a “budget at a glance” to make priorities and figures easier for residents to find and understand.
During the meeting’s public comment period, Jim Barnard of Go Green Skokie asked whether rebates for electric leaf blowers and electric lawn mowers could be extended. Lockerbie responded that the board was considering the budget that evening and that continuation of the program was included in the FY2026 budget. “The program is alive and well, and so it continues until that line item is exhausted,” he said.
A motion to adopt the FY2026 budget was moved and seconded at the meeting and then approved by roll call vote. Trustees who voiced comments during the discussion included Trustee Schechter and Trustee Iverson, who both praised the document and its emphasis on coordination across departments.
The board’s approval sets spending and priorities for the coming fiscal year; staff said they will publish summary materials and make the full budget available on the village website.
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