Skokie, Illinois

Skokie, Illinois
Downtown Skokie seen on a partly cloudy day with some construction
Downtown Skokie in 2013
Flag of Skokie, Illinois
Official logo of Skokie, Illinois
Location of Skokie in Cook County, Illinois
Location of Skokie in Cook County, Illinois
Skokie is located in Greater Chicago
Skokie
Skokie
Skokie is located in Illinois
Skokie
Skokie
Skokie is located in the United States
Skokie
Skokie
Coordinates: 42°02′01″N 87°43′58″W / 42.03361°N 87.73278°W / 42.03361; -87.73278
Country United States
StateIllinois
CountyCook
TownshipNiles
Incorporated1888 (1888)
Government
 • TypeCouncil–manager
 • MayorGeorge Van Dusen (D)[1]
Area
 • Total10.06 sq mi (26.07 km2)
 • Land10.06 sq mi (26.07 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)  0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total67,824
 • Density6,739.27/sq mi (2,602.03/km2)
 Up 2.27% from 2000
Standard of living (2011)
 • Per capita income$32,169
 • Median home value$297,900
ZIP code(s)
60076, 60077, 60203
Area code(s)847 & 224
Geocode70122
FIPS code17-70122
Websiteskokie.org

Skokie (/ˈskki/; formerly Niles Center) is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. According to the 2020 census, its population was 67,824.[3] Skokie lies approximately 15 miles (24 km) north of Chicago's downtown Loop. The name Skokie comes from a Potawatomi word for "marsh".[4] For many years, Skokie promoted itself as "The World's Largest Village".[5] Skokie's streets, like that of many suburbs, are largely a continuation of the Chicago street grid, and the village is served by the Chicago Transit Authority, further cementing its connection to the city.

Skokie was originally a German-Luxembourger farming community, but was later settled by a sizeable Jewish population, especially after World War II. At its peak in the mid-1960s, 58% of the population was Jewish,[failed verification] the largest proportion of any Chicago suburb. Skokie still has many Jewish residents (now about 30% of the population) and over a dozen synagogues.[6] It is home to the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, which opened in northwest Skokie in 2009.[7][8]

Skokie has twice received national attention for court cases decided by the United States Supreme Court. In the mid-1970s, it was at the center of National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie, in which a Nazi group, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union, invoked the First Amendment in an attempt to schedule a Nazi rally in Skokie.[9] At the time, Skokie had a significant population of Holocaust survivors. Skokie ultimately lost that case, though the rally was never held.[10]

  1. ^ "Meet the Leaders: Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen". Skokie, IL Patch. September 12, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  3. ^ "Skokie village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  4. ^ Newcomer's Handbook for Moving to and Living in Chicago. First Books. 2004. p. 73. ISBN 0912301538.
  5. ^ "Village of Skokie, Skokie History, Skokie, IL". Archived from the original on August 21, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2010.
  6. ^ "Jewish United Fund – Locate a Synagogue". Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  7. ^ Dorfman, Daniel I. (September 30, 2020). "A survey found many Americans lack knowledge about the Holocaust. Local experts say social media misinformation hinders education efforts". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  8. ^ "A Virtual Tour of the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie". WTTW News. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  9. ^ "Skokie: The legacy of the would-be Nazi march in a town of Holocaust survivors". ABC News. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  10. ^ Grossman, Ron (March 10, 2017). "'Swastika war': When the neo-Nazis fought in court to march in Skokie". Chicago Tribune.

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