Chronology 1970-1979
1970 (February 9) The Planning Commission presents the Village Board with a comprehensive plan to regulate development in downtown Skokie. (The Comprehensive Plan, Skokie, IL., Harland Bartholomew and Associates, 1969, p. 87 / News (Skokie), February 12, 1970, p. 1 / News (Skokie), December 31, 1970, p. 2).
February 15 John N. Matzer, Jr. of New Jersey, succeeds Gordon Thorn as Skokie's Village Manager. His salary is established at $23,000.00. Gordon Thorn left for a similar position in Chula Vista, CA. (Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
February 21 Special election to increase District 69's educational fund passes 1,647 to 1,625. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 17).
March 20 Skokie postmen, Branch 3071 of the AFL-CIO National Letter Carriers, vote to strike, joining Chicago and other suburbs, over a wage dispute. (News (Skokie), March 26, 1970, p. 1 / Skokie Life, sec. 2, March 26, 1970, p. 1).
May 4 The President and staff of Oakton Community College move into their interim quarters at 7900 Nagle, Morton Grove, and open for business. (News (Skokie), April 30, 1970, p. 1 / News (Skokie), September 17, 1970, p. 1).
May 27 Skokian Joseph J. Witry is posthumously inducted into the Loyola University Sports Hall of Fame along with fellow Skokian George Ireland. (Archives, Loyola University).
July 20 Skokie Public Works Department employees conduct a one-day strike in a wage dispute. (News (Skokie), July 23, 1970, p. 1 / Skokie Life, July 23, 1970, p. 1).
July 24 Two tactical squads of the Cook County Sheriff's police patrol the village streets as an epidemic of "blue flu" hits the police department during a wage dispute. (News (Skokie), July 30, 1970, p. 1 / Skokie Life, July 30, 1970, p. 1).
September 14 Oakton Community College opens for business at Nagle and Oakton Streets in Morton Grove, IL. (OCC / Fall Credit Class Schedule, V. 7, No. 4, July, 1999).
October 22 Dominick's opens its 23rd store at 4020 Oakton Street. (Archives, Skokie Chamber of Commerce).
November 5 The plans for revitalization of the Central Business District, Oakton-Lincoln area, are revealed. (News (Skokie), November 12, 1970, p. 1 / Skokie Life, October 22, 1970, p. 1 / Skokie Review, November 12, 1970, p. 3 / Sunday Life, November 8, 1970, p. 1).
November District 69 Board members discuss the impact of the proposed redevelopment of downtown Skokie. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 17).
November Illinois voters adopt a new state Constitution. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 16).
Population of Skokie is 68,322. It includes:
- 4,902 Poles
- 2,780 Germans
- 1,212 Italians
- 9,110 Russians
(County and City Data Book, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, G.P.O, 1977 (ed.), p. 832 / Illinois: A Descriptive and Historical Guide, op.cit., p. 461).
1971 (January) The Skokie Village Board adopts an ordinance demanding freedom for Soviet Jews. (News (Skokie), December 30, 1971, p. 1).
February "A Redevelopment Proposal for Downtown Skokie, Illinois" is prepared and presented by the Skokie Planning Commission, Don Perille, Chairman. (Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
May 3 Skokie Village Board approves the redevelopment concept for downtown Skokie. (Village of Skokie, Council Agenda, May 3, 1971, Archives, Skokie Historical Society)
May The First National Bank of Skokie announces plans for a new facility at Lincoln and Oakton. (Sunday Life, May 2, 1971, p. 1).
May 3 Project "Impact", the plan for revitalizing the Central Business District in Skokie, is adopted by the Village Board. (News (Skokie), May 6, 1971, p. 1 / News (Skokie), September 9, 1971, p. 1 / Skokie Life, May 6, 1971, p. 1).
May 16 The Julia S. Molloy Education Center is dedicated at 8701 Menard, Morton Grove. (News (Skokie), May 20, 1971, p. 11 / Skokie Review, May 6, 1971, p. 5).
June 25 Armond D. King apartments for senior citizens, 9238 Gross Point Road, is dedicated. (News (Skokie), June 29, 1972, p. 33).
July The Near North Family Guidance Center, a treatment facility for drug abusers, opens at 5248 Washington. (News (Skokie), July 29, 1971, p. 1 / News (Skokie), September 23, 1971, p. 11 / Skokie Life, July 1, 1971, p. 1).
August 9 Skokie becomes the eighth North Shore community to join the North Suburban Mass Transit District (NORTRAN). (News (Skokie), August 12, 1971, p. 1 / Skokie Life, August 12, 1971, p. 1).
August 12 Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for the 580-room Skokie Hilton Hotel at the SE corner of Golf Road and Skokie Boulevard. (News (Skokie), August 19, 1971, p. 6 / Skokie Life, August 22, 1971, p. 1).
August 16 The Skokie Consumer Fraud Office opens. (News (Skokie), August 12, 1971, p. 6).
September 12 The Mayer Kaplan Jewish Community Center holds an open house at 5050 Church to mark the beginning of its first season. (News (Skokie), September 9, 1971, p. 4 / News (Skokie), January 16, 1975, p. 23).
September 26 Coyle Park, Laramie and Coyle avenues, is dedicated by the Skokie Park District. (News (Skokie), September 23, 1971, p. 1). Coyle Park is later renamed in honor of Commissioner Norman Schack. (Archives, Skokie Park District).
October 24 An open house is held at the Orchard Center, 8600 Gross Point Road, a Niles Township facility dealing with mental health. (News (Skokie), October 7, 1971, p. 2).
November 29 Mayor Albert Smith donates the first pint of blood under Skokie's blood donor program. The program ensured Skokians' blood at no cost anywhere in the United States. (News (Skokie), December 2, 1971, p. 1).
Skokie voters defeat a Skokie Park District referendum to issue bonds to build an ice rink and golf course at the site of the old Skokie dump at Gross Point Road and Church Street. The Board of Park Commissioners issue $1,060,000.00 in non-referendum revenue bonds to finance the construction of the ice rink and golf course. (History of the Skokie Park District, Archives, Skokie Park District, p. 11).
The Chicago Stock Yards close. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 16).
Intel Corporation introduces the first microprocessor. (Encyclopedia Britannica, Multimedia Edition, 1999).
1972 (January 23 - 24) Coach N Fore Restaurant, at 7952 Lincoln Avenue (SW corner of Lincoln & Oakton), burns down. (Skokie Fire Dept. Photographs, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
April The Board of Commissioners of the Skokie Park Board approve plans to build a par three nine-hole golf course and ice rink on the site of the former Village dump at Church Street and Gross Point Road. (News (Skokie), April 27, 1972, p. 10).
May 31 Julia Molloy retires from District 69. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 19).
June 2 The Niles West Indians, coached by Jim Phipps, win their first Illinois high school baseball championship. (Skokie Life, June 8, 1972, p. 1).
June 11 A memorial to Dr. Janusz Korczak, one of the heroes of the Warsaw ghetto, is unveiled at the southwest corner of Dr. Korczak Terrace and Church Street. (News (Skokie), June 15, 1972, p. 2 / Sunday Life, April 26, 1970, p. 1).
July 10 The Skokie Public Library opens its new addition, doubling its floor space. It is second in size only to the Chicago Public Library among public libraries in the state. (News (Skokie), February 4, 1971, p. 10 / News (Skokie), August 3, 1972, p. 12 / Skokie Life, July 6, 1972, p. 1 / Skokie Review, July 20, 1972, p. 5).
September Girls' Interscholastic sports are introduced into the Lincoln School curriculum. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 19).
September 19 The Village of Skokie passes a disannexation ordinance disconnecting a portion of the "hockey stick" of land located along Ionia Avenue from Lunt to Central Avenue. This disannexation completes the 1954 disannexation of the 52 acres property upon which the Loyola University Medical Center was to be built. (The Geographical Growth of Skokie, Illinois. Joseph C. Beaver, Skokie, 1983.)36
October 8 The first Village Open House is held at the Fire Department-Public Works Garage to acquaint residents with the various services and functions of the Village. (News (Skokie), October 5, 1972, p. 1 / Skokie Life, October 12, 1972, sec. 1, p. 1, sec. 2, p. 3).
The North Shore Hilton is built on the SE corner of Golf Road and Skokie Blvd., the site of the former Fun-Fair Amusement Park. (Skokie Review, January 15, 1997, p. 3).
Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation is formed by the Skokie Park District, Morton Grove Park District, Niles Park District, Des Plaines Park District, Park Ridge Park Board, Lincolnwood Recreation Board and Golf Maine Park District. Its purpose is to provide recreational opportunities to the mentally and physically handicapped. (History of the Skokie Park District, p. 11, Archives, Skokie Park District).
1973 (February 19) The Village Board passes a controversial sign ordinance limiting the type of signs allowed in the village. (Skokie Review, March 1, 1973, p. 5).
May The Jewish Community Center in Skokie celebrates the twenty-fifth anniversary of Israel with several events, including a parade through the Skokie streets. May 6 is proclaimed as Israel Independence Day in Skokie. (News (Skokie), May 3, 1973, p. 17 / Skokie Review, May 3, 1973, p. 5).
June 9 The eyes of Skokie are glued to television as the great racehorse Secretariat wins the Belmont, and the first triple crown since 1948, in a record 2:24. He won the race by an astounding 31 lengths. (Sports Illustrated, July 26, 1999, Pictures of the Century, p. 110).
June Weber Park Golf Course and Skokie Skatium Ice Rink open. (News (Skokie), January 16, 1975, p. 24 / Archives, Skokie Park District).
September District 69 enrollment is 1,719 pupils. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 20).
September The Niles Township Federation of Teachers votes to strike and delay the opening of school. (News (Skokie), September 6, 1973, p. 1 / Skokie Review, September 13, 1973, p. 3).
October 27 The North Shore Hilton in Skokie is formally dedicated at Golf Road and Skokie Boulevard. (News (Skokie), October 18, 1973, p. 3 / News (Skokie), December 27, 1973, p. 2).
October 27 The Skatium, Skokie Park District's artificial ice rink, opens. (News (Skokie), October 18, 1973, p. 13 / News (Skokie), December 27, 1973, p. 2 / News (Skokie), January 16, 1975, p. 24 / Skokie Review, November 1, 1973, p. 3).
December The Skokie Office on Aging, 4436 Oakton, holds an open house. (Peggy W. Gilmour,** Skokie Office on Aging: May 25, 1983).
The First National Bank begins construction of its new building, in furtherance of the plans for revitalizing the Downtown Business District. (News (Skokie), December 27, 1973, p. 2).
1974 (January 7) Community Psychiatric Centers, Inc. received permission to build a one-hundred-bed hospital (Orchard Hospital). (News (Skokie), December 20, 1973, p. 1 / News (Skokie), January 10, 1974, p. 1 / Skokie Life, December 20, 1973, p. 1 / Skokie Review, January 10, 1974, p. 5).
February 23 Alma Klehm, teacher and daughter of Skokie pioneers, dies at the age of 98. (News (Skokie), February 28, 1974, p. 1 / Skokie Life, February 28, 1974, p. 1).
April 29 Bart Connor, a sophomore at Niles West High School, appears in Sport Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" feature for winning the IHSA all-around gymnastics title with an 8.59 average. He won the parallel bars for the second successive year. (Sports Illustrated, The Chicago Collection, February 11, 1998, p. 8).
October 21 The Women's Outreach Resource Center, a MONACEP program, opens for one week in the Skokie Public Library. The program, an information and referral source for area women, rotates among six centers in Niles and Maine Townships. (News (Skokie), October 17, 1974, p. 8 / Skokie Review, November 7, 1974, p. 3).
November 14 The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission endorses the North Shore Channel Deep Rock Tunnel, from Addison Street to Wilmette. The Metropolitan Sanitary District project is designed to alleviate basement flooding in the Skokie area. (News (Skokie), November 14, 1974, p. 3 / Skokie Review, September 25, 1975, p. 3).
The Skokie Industrial Directory lists 337 industries in Skokie, fifty of which employ over fifty people. (Skokie Industrial Directory, Skokie Chamber of Commerce, 1974, 17 pp).
A lighted ball field is installed at Laramie Park. (History of the Skokie Park District, p. 12, Archives, Skokie Park District).
1975 (February) A new home for the Skokie Fine Arts Center is opened at 7908 Babb. (Skokie Life, February 6, 1975, p. 1 / Skokie Review, December 31, 1974, p. 5 / Skokie Review, April 10, 1975, pp. 1, 8).
April 2 A blizzard hits Skokie and results in many traffic accidents, abandoned cars and three deaths in the area. (News (Skokie), April 10, 1975, p. 22 / Sunday Life, April 6, 1975, p. 1).
May 12 School District 68 Board of Education accepts the recommendation that Sharp Corner School be closed due to declining enrollment. (News (Skokie), May 15, 1975, p. 3).
June The Indians of Niles West High School, coached by Jim Phipps, win the State Tournament Baseball crown. (Skokie Review, June 12, 1975, pp. 3, 43, 46).
June 16 High School District 219 Board of Education votes 4-2 to close Niles East High School due to declining enrollment. (News (Skokie), June 19, 1975, p. 3 / Skokie Life, June 19, 1975, p. 1 / Sunday Life, June 15, 1975, p. 1).
June Rev. Joseph Buckles is appointed Senior Minister at Central United Methodist Church. Ardis Coninx, Central United Methodist Church, op.cit., 9).
July 4 The Village of Skokie begins the United States Bicentennial Celebration with a day-long festival on the Nilehi West Campus. (News (Skokie), July 3, 1975, p. 13).
July 4 - 13 Police union members of the Combined Counties Police Association begin a "uniform strike" appearing for work without uniforms to emphasize pay raise demands. (News (Skokie), July 10, 1975, p. 3 / News (Skokie), January 1, 1976, p. 3 / Skokie Life, July 3, 1975, p. 1 / Skokie Review, July 10, 1975, p. 3 / Sunday Life, July 13, 1975, p. 1).
August 8 The Skokie Park District Tennis Center at 8350 Niles Center Road opens. (News (Skokie), August 7, 1975, p. 25 / Skokie Life, August 7, 1975, p. 1).
September District 69 enrollment is 1,481 pupils. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 21).
September St. Peter Catholic School enrollment is 416 pupils. (Buisseret et.al., op. cit., p. 105).
October 18 At a special election, District 69 voters defeat a request to increase the education tax rate. The tally is 587 yes and 1,417 no. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 21).
October 26 Oakton Community College holds groundbreaking ceremonies at its permanent campus site in Des Plaines. (Skokie Review, October 23, 1975, p. 3).
December Skokie Federal Savings and Loan Association opens Illinois' first supermarket bank on the premises of the Skokie Jewel-Turnstyle, 9449 Skokie Boulevard. (News (Skokie), December 4, 1975, p. 16).
1976 (February) College Hill School, scheduled for closing because of declining enrollment, is to be re-opened as an instructional services center for District 65 teachers. (Sunday Life, February 1, 1976, p. 1).
February 9 Niles Township High School Board 219 establishes the Committee to Close Niles East. (School District 219, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
March 12 One person is killed and several injured when a tornado touches down in Niles Township. (Sunday Life, March 14, 1976, p. 1).
March 13 At a special election, District 69 voters defeat a request to increase the education tax rate. The tally is 798 yes and 1,676 no. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 21).
April 19 Village ordinance #76 4-2-908 is passed, rezoning the property at the northwest corner of Lincoln and Galitz to allow 150 low-rent housing units for the elderly to be constructed. (News (Skokie), April 22, 1976, p. 3 / News (Skokie), April 29, 1976, p. 27 / Skokie Review, April 1, 1976, p. 3).37
June School District 68 closes Sharp Corner School because of declining enrollment. (News (Skokie), May 15, 1975, p. 3 / News (Skokie), June 10, 1976, p. 4).
June 21 The ad-hoc committee appointed by Niles Township High School District 219 presents its report recommending that Niles East High School be closed at the conclusion of the 1979-80 school year. (The Sunday Life, June 20, 1976, p. 1).
June The organizational meeting of the governing board for the Sharp Corner School of the Arts was held in the Sharp Corner School. (News (Skokie), June 10, 1976, p. 4).
June District 69 Board of Education appoints James Metzinger to be principal of Lincoln School, Walter Stahlke to be principal of Edison School, Galen Jarvis to be principal of Madison School and Marjorie Wedell to be principal of Kenton School. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 21).
June 28 The Meals-on-Wheels pilot project of the Skokie Office on Aging to bring meals to invalid seniors, is funded by Niles Township. (News (Skokie), July 1, 1976, p. 4).
July 4 The United States of America celebrates its 200th Birthday.
August 9 College Hill School, closed because of declining enrollment, is leased for two years to Brisk Rabbinical College by action of the District 65 School Board. (Skokie Life, August 12, 1976, p. 1 / News (Skokie), August 12, 1976, p. 3 / Sunday Life, December 12, 1976, p. 1).
September District 69 enrollment is 1,367 pupils. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 22).
September St. Peter Catholic School enrollment is 390 pupils. (Buisseret et.al.,op.cit., p. 105).
September 17 The United States Court of Appeals orders the Village of Skokie to reinstate 32 policemen fired in the wake of a uniform strike in July 1975. (News (Skokie), September 23, 1976, p. 3 / Skokie Life, September 23, 1976, sec. 1, p. 1, sec. 2-A, p. 1).
September 20 The Niles Township Federation of Teachers strike during contract negotiations. (News (Skokie), September 23, 1976, p. 3 / Skokie Life, September 30, 1976, p. 1 / Skokie Review, September 23, 1976, p. 3 / Sunday Life, September 26, 1976, p. 1).
October 4 Frank Collin, leader of a band of Nazi sympathizers from Chicago's South side, sends a letter to Daniel D. Brown, Director of Parks and Recreation, Skokie Park District, requesting that his group be permitted to march in Skokie's "Birch Park" on November 6, 1976. (Letter from Frank Collin to Skokie Park District dated October 4, 1976, Archives, Skokie Park District / Minutes of the Board Meeting of October 25, 1976, Skokie Park District Board of Park Commissioners, Archives, Skokie Park District).
October 25 At its regular meeting, the Board of Commissioners of the Skokie Park District direct Daniel D. Brown, Director of Parks and Recreation, to respond to Mr. Collin of the Nationalist Socialist Party that Skokie has no "Birch Park". In addition, the Board passes an ordinance relating to "Parades and Public Assemblies" which required that prospective marchers to: 1) obtain a permit at least thirty days in advance of the parade date and 2) post an insurance bond equal to $350,000.00. (Minutes of the Board Meeting of October 25, 1976, Skokie Park District Board of Park Commissioners, Archives, Skokie Park District)
November 7 A memorial to Skokie's celebration of the United States Bicentennial is dedicated -- a park along the canal banks north of Church Street. (News (Skokie), November 11, 1976, p. 5).
December 12 The newly formed Skokie Independent party holds its first general meeting to discuss running a full slate of candidates against the Caucus Party. (Skokie Life, December 16, 1976, p. 1).
December 20 Richard J. Daley, Mayor of the City of Chicago since 1955, dies. (Chicago Tribune, December 21, 1976, p. 1).
December 31 Skokie Federal Savings and Loan reaches $167 million in assets. (Skokie Review, January 27, 1977).
1977 (January 17) Bernard Nathan and former Skokie News Publisher, Roland Moore, announce the formation of a ticket to run against the Skokie Caucus Party in the April elections. The Skokie Independent Party will run Bernard Nathan for Mayor, Roland Moore for Village Clerk and the following for Trustee: Robert Morris, James Gootreich, Mary Ann Powers, James Daleiden, Robert Nordin and Barbara Horwitz. (Skokie Review, January 20, 1977, p. 3).
January The Independent Township Caucus Party is formed. The candidates are: Charles Anderson for Supervisor, Edmund Kaufman for Clerk, Arnold Abrams for Assessor, Eleanor Ficht for Collector, Don Copeland, Carl Gubitz, Erna Gans and Edward "Spike" McGrath for Trustees. This slate will be opposed by the Service Township Party. The candidates are: Ed Warman for Supervisor, Lou Black for Clerk, Robert Hanrahan for Assessor, Michael Linn for Collector, Tony Gagliano, Marge Sherman, Tim Doron and Tom McElligott for Trustees. (Skokie Review, January 27, 1977).
February 8 Muriel Ruth Jacobson, a member of the Skokie Caucus Party, loses her bid to join the slated Caucus party candidates. Albert Smith will run for Mayor, William Siegel for Clerk and the following for Trustee: Jackie Gorell, William Elliott, Manley Croft, Charles J. Conrad, Frank McCabe and Morris Topol. (Skokie Review, February 10, 1977, p. 3).
February 20 Phyllis Gentry Koehnline is ordained a minister of United Presbyterian Church at Evanshire Church. (Skokie Review, February 17, 1977, p. 38).
February 23 Former Skokie Trustee, Walter Flintrup, is elected Chairman of the North Suburban Transit Agency (NORTRAN) (Skokie Review, March 3, 1977).
March 21 The Illinois Supreme Court rules that 7 of 8 nominees of the Independent Township Caucus Party should be reinstated on the ballot. (Skokie Review, March 24, 1977, p.3).
April Rev. Harry Conner is appointed Senior Minister at Central United Methodist Church. (Ardis Coninx, Central United Methodist Church, op.cit., 10).
April 28 Judge Joseph Wosik, a judge in the Chancery Department of the Circuit Court of Cook County, in a suit filed by the Village of Skokie against the Nationalist Socialist party, issues a preliminary injunction prohibiting members of the Nationalist Socialist party from marching in Skokie. In this suit, the Village asserts, as a matter of fact, that the Jewish population is approximately 40,000 out of a total population of 70,000. (Defending My Enemy: American Nazis, the Skokie Case and the Risks of Freedom. Aryeh Neier, E.P. Dutton, N.Y., N.Y., 1979, p. 44).38
May 2 The Skokie Village Board, in response to a request from Nationalist Socialist party for a permit to march in front of Skokie Village Hall, passes three ordinances which: 1) require a $350,000.00 indemnity bond to be posted in advance of any march (V.O. 77-5-N-994) 2) prohibits the distribution of printed material which promotes hatred of groups of people (V.O. 77-5-N-995) and 3) prohibits demonstrations by individuals wearing military-style uniforms (V.O. 77-5-N-996). (Skokie Life, October 27, 1977, p. 1 / Opinion, U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Cir., Collin v. Smith, et.al, Nos. 78-1381 & 78-1385, Issued May 22, 1978, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
June 22 Frank Collin and his band of Nazis apply to Skokie officials for a permit to march in Skokie. (Letter from Nationalist Socialist Party of America to John N. Matzer, Jr., Manager, Village of Skokie, dated June 22, 1977, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
June 24 The Village of Skokie denies the Nazis the right to a permit to march in military-style uniforms. (Letter from John N. Matzer, Jr., Manager, Village of Skokie to Frank Collin, National Socialist Party, dated June 24, 1977, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
August 16 Elvis Presley dies at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, TN. (Chicago Tribune, August 17, 1977, p. 1).
October 21 Judge Bernard Decker of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issues a preliminary injunction prohibiting the Village of Skokie from enforcing three ordinances aimed at preventing Frank Collin and his Nationalist Socialist party sympathizers from marching in Skokie. (Skokie Life, October 27, 1977, p. 1).
1978 (January 27) The Illinois Supreme Court reverses the Illinois Appellate Court and the Circuit Court of Cook County's grant of Injunctive Relief in favor of the Village of Skokie and against the Nazi group headed by Frank Collin. The Nazis are free to March in Skokie pending resolution of the federal lawsuit filed by the ACLU on behalf of the Nazis. (Case No. 49769, Illinois Supreme Court).
February 23 Judge Bernard Decker of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issues an order ruling that the three ordinances adopted by the Skokie Village Board aimed at preventing Frank Collin and his Nationalist Socialist party sympathizers from marching in Skokie are unconstitutional as violative of the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. (Skokie Life, April 9, 1978, p. 1).
March 17 Judge Bernard Decker grants the Village of Skokie's Motion to stay his order voiding the Skokie anti-Nazi ordinances so as to permit the Village to perfect an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. (Application for Stay of Mandate, Harvey Schwartz & Gilbert Gordon, filed in the United States Supreme Court, No. 77-1736, on behalf of the Village of Skokie, p. 2 / Archives, Skokie Historical Society.)
April 6 The United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, sitting en banc, vacates all previous "stay orders" and orders an expedited briefing schedule. (Application for Stay of Mandate, Harvey Schwartz & Gilbert Gordon, filed in the United States Supreme Court, No. 77-1736, on behalf of the Village of Skokie, p. 2 /Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
April 11 Frank Collin and his band of Nazis apply to the Village of Skokie for a permit to conduct a demonstration in front of Skokie's Village Hall on Sunday, June 25, 1978. (Application for Stay of Mandate, Harvey Schwartz & Gilbert Gordon, filed in the United States Supreme Court, No. 77-1736, on behalf of the Village of Skokie, p. 2 / Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
May 22 The United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit affirms Judge Decker's February 23, 1978 ruling that the three ordinances adopted by the Skokie Village Board aimed at preventing Frank Collin and his Nationalist Socialist party sympathizers from marching in Skokie are unconstitutional as violative of the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. (Opinion, U.S. Court of Appeals, Nos. 78-1381 & 78-1385, Judges Pell, Sprecher (concurring in part and dissenting in part) and Wood, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
May 25 The Village of Skokie issues a permit allowing Frank Collin and his band of Nazi sympathizers to demonstrate in front of Skokie's Village Hall on Sunday, June 25, 1978. (Application for Stay of Mandate, Harvey Schwartz & Gilbert Gordon, filed in the United States Supreme Court, No. 77-1736, on behalf of the Village of Skokie, p. 2 / Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
June 2 The United States Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, enters an order denying the Village of Skokie's request for a stay of mandate. Application for Stay of Mandate, Harvey Schwartz & Gilbert Gordon, filed in the United States Supreme Court, No. 77-1736, on behalf of the Village of Skokie, p. 3 / Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
June 5 The Village of Skokie files its Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court requesting review of the opinion of the United States Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, rendered in the Nazi case. (Application for Stay of Mandate, Harvey Schwartz & Gilbert Gordon, filed in the United States Supreme Court, No. 77-1736, on behalf of the Village of Skokie, p. 3).
June 22 Skokie Police Chief Kenneth Chamberlain issues a directive that the area bounded by Edens Highway, Howard Street, Skokie Blvd. and Main Street will be cordoned off to vehicular traffic on June 25. Only residents may enter into the cordoned off area. All vehicles will be subject to cursory searches for weapons. (Archives, Skokie Historical Society, 1983.36.4).
June 23 Frank Collin and his band of Nazi sympathizers cancel their planned demonstration in Skokie scheduled for June 25. (Statement by Mayor Albert J. Smith dated June 23, 1978, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
June 25 The date on which Frank Collin and his band of Nazi sympathizers are to march in front of Skokie's Village Hall. The march is called off when the City of Chicago relents and permits the group to march in Marquette Park on July 9. (Skokie Life, February 12, 1981, Sec. 1-B, p. 3 / Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
June District 69 closes Kenton School. K-2 students are assigned to Madison School, 3-5 at Edison School and 6-8 at Lincoln School. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 22).
July 17 Oakton Community College officials and Niles Township High School District 219 officials meet secretly to discuss the possible sale of Niles High School District North to OCC. (News (Skokie), November 2, 1978, p. 2).
August District 69 enters into a lease agreement for Kenton School with the Futabakai Japanese School. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 21).
October 19 OCC officials offer approximately $6,000,000.00 for the purchase of Niles North High School in order to turn it into its eastern campus. (Pickwick Papers, November 2, 1978, p. 6).
November 27 Niles Township High School District 219 Board of Education votes 5-1 to solicit offers for the sale or lease of both Niles North and Niles East. (The Life (Skokie), November 30, 1978, p. 3).
1979 (March 19) Skokie Village Board entertains discussion about condemning the Skokie Theater for purposes of parking. (Skokie Review, March 22, 1979, p. 3).
September 4 District 219 teachers strike. (Skokie Review, September 27, 1979, p. 3).
September Skokie Village Board turns down a PUD request to build condos on the Maierhoffer property. (Skokie Review, September 27, 1979, p. 3).
October 4 Pope John Paul II visits Chicago. (Chicago Tribune, October 5, 1979, p. 1).
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