Chronology 1990-1999
1990 (January) Skokie Village Trustees approve a Tax Incremental Finance District for the downtown area. (Skokie Review, December 27, 1990).
February Skokie Federal Savings & Loan is sold by the Resolution Trust Company to Affiliated Bank group for $10,000,000.00. (Skokie Review, December 27, 1990, p. 6).
February Skokie Village Board pledges $3,000,000.00 to aid in the construction of Centre East39 to be located adjacent to the Hilton Hotel. (Skokie Review, May 2, 1991).
June Section 15 of the Luxembourg Brotherhood of America hosts its first Sauerbraten dinner since 1966 at the Skokie V.F.W Hall. (Archives, Luxembourg Brotherhood of America).
July The traveling wall, a Vietnam War Memorial, comes to Oakton Park. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 30).
October 3 Pre-World War II Germany is reunited when the German Democratic Republic is merged into the Federal Republic of Germany. (Encyclopedia Britannica, Multimedia Edition, 1999).
November 9 Joseph J. Witry of Skokie is posthumously inducted into the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame. He joins fellow Skokian George Ireland. (Program Book, Chicago Sports Hall of Fame, November 9, 1990).
Skokie population is 59,432. The racial composition of the Village is:
- White - 82%
- African-American - 2.2%
- Asian - 15.6%
- Other - .2%
(1990 Census / MDR Demographics Applications, Inc., Skokie Public Library, Long Range Planning Committee, 1999).
1991 (March 19) Oakton Community College officials unveil a $30,000,000.00 plan to raze the former Niles East High School and construct a new eastern satellite campus. (Skokie Review, March 21, 1991).
April District 69 and the Skokie Park District enter into a lease agreement permitting the Park District to use the property for soccer fields. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 31).
May 13 James Eaves assumes command of the Skokie Fire Department. He is the first African-American department head in Village history. He succeeds Thomas Quillin who left in October 1990 for a job in Tallahassee, Florida. (Skokie Review, April 25, 1991).
May 20 Skokie Village Trustees adopt a three-quarter percent sales tax effective September 1st. (Skokie Review, May 23, 1991).
June 12 The Chicago Bulls defeat the Los Angeles Lakers for their first NBA championship. (Chicago Tribune, June 13, 1991).
June 15 - 16 Skokie's first Festival of Cultures is held at Oakton Park. (Skokie Review, June 13, 1991).
June 20 The Village of Skokie, by Quit Claim Deed, conveys the firehouse, located at 8031 Floral Avenue, to the Skokie Park District. (Archives, Skokie Park District).
June 30 An "All Faith Walk of Lights" is held. Approximately 300 marchers from Skokie's many faiths walked from Oakton Park to the Village Green between the Library and Village Hall. It is held in response to graffiti damage at several Skokie synagogues. (Skokie Review, July 4, 1991, p. 3).
August 13 Seattle-based Nordstrom announces that it will build a 200,000 square foot building in Old Orchard to be opened in 1994. (Skokie Review, August 15, 1991).
September 29 "Goat", a painted steel piece of statuary by Chicago artist Jerry Peart, is installed at Skokie-North Shore Sculpture Park. It is the first art to be installed. (Skokie Review, October 31, 1991).
December 19 The Skokie Planning Commission approves site plans and variation requests for the redevelopment of Old Orchard Shopping Center. (Skokie Review, December 26, 1991).
1992 (February 1) Hyatt Lincolnwood Hotel at Touhy and Lincoln Avenue changes its name to the Radisson Hotel Lincolnwood. (Skokie Review, February 13, 1992).
February 3 Village Board of Trustees approves the redevelopment of Old Orchard. (Skokie Review, February 6, 1992 / December 31, 1992, p.6).
February 10 The Brod Electric Shop at 8021 Lincoln Avenue is razed. (Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
May Lincoln Junior High School Principal James B. Metzinger retires after 33 years of service in District 69. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 32).
June 1 Village of Skokie announces the redevelopment of the former North Shore Railroad Station site on Dempster Street. The station is to be razed. (Skokie Review, May 28, 1992, June 4, 1992).
June The Chicago Bulls defeat the Portland Trail Blazers for their second NBA championship.
June 30 District 219 superintendent John Hinck retires. Errol Frank is appointed as Hinck's successor. (Skokie Life, February 13, 1992 / Skokie Review, December 31, 1992, p.6).
September District 69 enrollment is 1,237 pupils. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 32) St. Peter Catholic School enrollment is 311. (Buisseret et.al., op.cit., 9. 123).
September 20 The Engine House at 8031 Floral Avenue is dedicated as "Skokie Heritage Museum at The Historic Engine House and Log Cabin." In the 1966 Master Plan for the redevelopment of downtown Skokie, the Engine House was described as follows: "The retention of the fire station building as an outstanding architectural landmark is not warranted." (News (Skokie), August 3, 1967, p. 18 / Jean Doney Scrapbooks, 1967-69, Frame 690, SPL).
October 9 Willard C. Galitz, born in Niles Center on April 29, 1901, former Chairman and President of the First National Bank of Skokie, dies at the age of 91. (Archives, Haben Funeral Home, Skokie, IL).
October 16 Long time local funeral director R. William Haben dies at the age of 63. (The Life, November 5, 1992).
November 15 Raymond V. Krier, former Democratic Committeeman of Niles Township, and son of former Committeeman, Martin "Scotty" Krier, dies. (The Life, November 19, 1992).
December 1 Daniel D. Brown, Director of Parks and Recreation of the Skokie Park District, resigns. Brown was hired in 1976. (The Life, November 5, 1992).
1993 (February) The Village of Skokie announces that it intends to raze the North Shore Station and Train Depot at Dempster Street in order to create a new transportation center. (Reporter, Nadig Newspapers, Week of March 31, 1996, V. 32, No. 13, p.1).
March 2 Albert J. Smith, former Mayor of Skokie, dies at the age of 78. (Skokie Review, March 4, 1993, p. 3).
April Park Board President Martin Peccia retires from the Board of Park Commissioners. (Skokie Review, December 3, 1992).
April District 69 voters defeat a referendum to increase the Educational and Operations fund. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 33).
June 20 The Chicago Bulls defeat the Phoenix Suns for their third NBA championship. (Chicago Tribune, June 21, 1993).
September District 69 enrollment is 1,369 pupils. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 33)
November District 69 voters defeat a referendum to increase the Educational fund. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 33).
1994 (May 22) His Eminence, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, concelebrates Mass at St. Peter Catholic Church, celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the parish and the Church building's Centennial. (Buisseret, et.al., op.cit., pp. 42, 48).
June 30 Cecilia Aitken resigns as Principal of Lincoln Jr. High; Joan Thalman retires as Principal of Madison School; Rose Gordon retires as Principal of Edison School. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 34).
June 30 Dr. Errol Frank resigns as Superintendent of Education of High School District 219. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 34).
September Heather Morris is appointed Principal of Edison School; Mr. Robert Fehrs is appointed Principal of Lincoln Jr. High; Peter Davis is appointed Principal of Madison School. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 34).
September District 69 enrollment is 1,406 pupils. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 33).
The Fair Lanes Bowling Alley at 4833 Oakton Street closes its doors and the property is sold to the Village of Skokie for redevelopment. (Skokie Review, March 27, 1997, p. 4).
1995 (March 19) Michael Jordan "un-retires" and rejoins his Chicago Bulls teammates in Indianapolis. He wears number 45. (Sports Illustrated, The Chicago Collection, February 11, 1998, p.158).
September District 69 enrollment is 1,365 pupils. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 35).
December 1 NBD merges with First National Bank of Chicago. NBD Skokie ceases to exist as a separate bank and becomes a branch of First National Bank of Chicago. (Recollection, Lauretta M. Burke).
OCC District 535 dedicates the Ray Hartstein Campus, formerly the site of Niles East High School.
1996 (February 26) Keeper of the National Register of Historic Landmarks reverses her earlier decision and lists the "North Shore Station and Depot" at Dempster Street on the National Register of Historic Places. (Reporter, Nadig Newspapers, Week of March 31, 1996, V. 32, No. 13, p.1).
June 17 The Chicago Bulls defeat the Seattle SuperSonics for their fourth NBA championship. (Chicago Tribune, June 18, 1996).
September Kindergarten Space Program, a joint daycare program of the Skokie Park District and District 69, is initiated at Madison School. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 36).
October 21 The Niles Township Federation of Teachers strikes High School District 219 for the 5th time in 24 years and first time in 11 years. The strike lasts for 10 days. (Skokie Review, January 2, 1997, p. 11).
November 6 The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts opens with a gala dinner and show. (Skokie Review, January 2, 1997, p. 6).
1997 (January 13) District 219 Board of Education ratifies a new 4-year contract with its teachers. (Skokie Review, January 16, 1997, p. 3).
January 17 The Adam Harrer house at 5309 Oakton Street is gutted by fire. (Skokie Review, January 23, 1997).
January 17 State Representative Louis I. Lang of Skokie is elected Assistant Majority Leader. (Skokie Review, February 6, 1997, p. 3).
January The North Shore Hilton announces that it has been sold and will re-open as the North Shore Doubletree Hotel in April. (Skokie Review, January 16, 1997, p. 3).
January The Skokie Park District wins 5 awards for excellence at the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association convention. (Skokie Review, January 23, 1997, p. 11).
January Republican Township Committeeman Sheldon Marcus announces that he has formed a slate of candidates to run for Niles Township offices. The candidates are Marcus for Supervisor, Bob Hanrahan for Assessor, Herb Root for Clerk and Lourdes Mon, James Hammerschmidt, Reno Massini and Robert Malooly for Trustees. (Skokie Review, January 16, 1997, p. 9 / Skokie Review, January 30, 1997, p. 4).
February After 31 years in Skokie, Heat Exchangers, Inc., 8100 Monticello Avenue, closes its doors. (Skokie Review, February 6, 1997, p. 3).
March 1 The Village of Skokie enters into a new 20-year water contract with the City of Evanston. (Skokie Review, February 6, 1997, p. 3).
April 2 Mary Patricia Lies, co-owner of Skokie Ace Hardware, and descendant of early Niles Centre settlers, dies at the age of 48 from cancer. (Skokie Review, April 10, 1997, p. 13).
April 8 Aldi Food Stores agrees to construct a new store on the site of the old Fair Lanes Bowling Alley at 4833 Oakton Street. (Skokie Review, April 10, 1997, p. 3).
April Skokie Park District announces plans to construct a boat ramp on the North Shore channel north of Oakton Street. (Skokie Review, May 1, 1997, p. 15).
May 5 Skokie Village Board of Trustees authorizes that the section of Long Avenue between Old Orchard Road and Golf Road be renamed "Woods Drive". (Skokie Review, May 8, 1997, p. 4).
May 17 The 7th Annual Festival of Cultures opens at Oakton Park. (Skokie Review, May 22, 1997, p. 5).
May 19 Skokie Village Board of Trustees, in response to the razing of older homes and construction of larger mansion-type homes, enacts new "floor area ratio" restrictions on new construction. (Skokie Review, May 22, 1997, p. 3).
June 9 Skokie Village Board of Trustees approves a special use permit for construction of the Great Banc Trust and Company on the site of the razed Mark III restaurant at 3300 Dempster Street. (Skokie Review, June 12, 1997, p. 16).
June 13 The Chicago Bulls defeat the Utah Jazz for their fifth NBA championship. (Chicago Tribune, June 14, 1997).
September 13 Ralph R. Kasten, born in Niles Center in 1917, and long-time Vice-President at First National Bank of Skokie, dies of cancer. (Archives, Haben Funeral Home).
1998 (June) The Chicago Bulls defeat the Utah Jazz for their sixth NBA championship. Michael Jordan retires.
August The Skokie Park District opens "Sports Park" at Oakton Street just east of McCormick on property owned by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. (Archives, Skokie Park District).
September District 69 enrollment is 1,413 pupils. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 33).
October 1 First Chicago NBD merges with BancOne of Ohio. (Chicago Tribune, Business Section, p. 1).
1999 (January 4) Mayor Jacqueline Gorell submits her resignation to the Village Board. Trustee George Van Dusen is sworn in as the Village's 16th Mayor. (Skokie Review, January 7, 1999, p. 3).
April 13 District 69 voters approve a $900,000.00 bond referendum. The proceeds are to be used for construction of four new classrooms at Edison School. (Skokie Review, April 15, 1999, p. 3).
May 26 School District 73½ renames Tripp School after Elizabeth Meyer, early pioneer woman. (Skokie Review, June 3, 1999, p. 3).
August 29 Sr. Mariclare Schulte, O.S.F., a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, retires from the teaching staff of St. Peter Catholic School and moves to Milwaukee, WI. Her retirement ends the O.S.F. affiliation with St. Peter which began in August 1893. (Archives, St. Peter Catholic Church / Buisseret et.al., op.cit., p. 13).
September 13 The former First National Bank of Skokie located at 8001 Lincoln Avenue officially becomes a BankOne branch. New signs are unveiled. (Recollection, Richard J. Witry).
October 18 The Skokie Village Board denies a special use permit for the construction of a 5-story / 40-unit condo project for the property encompassing Eddy Optical, Park Cleaners and Handleman Photographic Studios at 8035 - 45 Lincoln Avenue. (Skokie Review, October 21, 1999, p. 3).
December 20 The Skokie Village Board approves a 4-story / 30-unit condo project for the property encompassing Eddy Optical, Park Cleaners and Handleman Photographic Studios at 8035 - 45 Lincoln Avenue. (Skokie Review, December 23, 1999, p. 3).
December 31 The United States cedes sovereignty over the Panama Canal to the Republic of Panama. (Chicago Tribune, January 1, 2000).
December 31 367 days until the start of the 3rd Millennium Anno Domini.
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