Closures, Charges, Settlements And Suits: Skokie 2018 In Review

SKOKIE, IL — As the end of an eventful year approaches, it is time to take a look back at Skokie's most memorable stories of 2018 before we head into 2019. The most popular stories on Skokie Patch this year included politics, crimes and new businesses.

Take a look at some of the biggest Skokie stories of the year:

Skokie Police Lip Sync Challenge Raises The Bar

Skokie police joined the viral police lip sync video challenge, and their performance might be worthy of a gold medal... Read more

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The Bagel To Close Old Orchard Location After Over 30 Years

Originally founded in 1950 at the corner of Lawrence and Kedzie, The Bagel Deli and Restaurant is closing its Skokie location Nov. 29... Read more

Niles West Staffer Overpaid For Years Must Pay Back Cash

A settlement between a library clerk and District 219 gives the employee 4 years to pay back half the money, or else the rest comes due... Read more

Hungarian Kosher Food In Skokie Sold By Longtime Family Owners

Before moving to Skokie in 1986, the store was founded by a pair of Holocaust survivors who bought a kosher meat market on Devon Avenue... Read more

Food At Country Club Party Linked To Infected Stool, Parasites

More than 100 people of 950 attendees at an event at a Skokie golf club have contracted intestinal illnesses, according to health officials... Read more

'Disco King Of Skokie' Documents Niles North Grad, Pioneering DJ

A new documentary details the of early days of North Shore parties fueled by two turntables and a microphone... Read more

Plainclothes ICE Agents Detain Skokie 'Dreamer' At Traffic Court

The 29-year-old student was released after being arrested by federal agents when he showed up to deal with a ticket for running a stop sign... Read more

Skokie Violated Law By Withholding Water Docs: Attorney General

The village improperly denied a request for communication with Evanston ahead of a lawsuit over water prices between the neighboring towns... Read more

Lincolnwood Fire Chief, Deputies Named In Sex Harassment Lawsuit

A former firefighter's lawsuit claims the Lincolnwood Fire Department tolerated pervasive sexist harassment and on-duty drug abuse... Read more

New Skokie Fire Chief Named

Louisville Division Chief Jason Brandt began as Skokie Fire Department Chief in January... Read more

Property Tax Dispute Between D-219 And NorthShore Ends With Deal

The yearslong legal battle was resolved with an agreement deal to drop litigation and establish an educational partnership... Read more

Lack Of Refugees Leads To Closure Of Touhy Health Center

Changes to federal immigration policy led Sinai Health System to shut down a 40-year-old refugee health program at its Touhy Avenue clinic... Read more

Judge Dismisses Board Member's Suit Against Board, Superintendent

District 219 board member Mark Sproat's lawsuit tried to reverse disciplinary action against him as part of what he called a "witch hunt"... Read more

Skokie Video Game Lounge Gets TIF Funds For Improvements

With village funding for renovations, Ignite Gaming Lounge hopes to open soon on Skokie Boulevard... Read more

Hear From Man Who Overdosed In Bathroom Of Skokie Courthouse

A 24-year-old man who overdosed in a courthouse bathroom in May describes his struggle with opioid addiction in a podcast... Read more

Politics:

Madigan's Shadow Looms Over North Shore State Rep Race
The party-backed candidate in the 17th District says her opponents are "upset now because I received the support that they didn't"... Read more

'Teasing And Flirtatious' Sen. Silverstein Didn't Harass: Report
A special inspector general found the senior Democrat violated state ethics law with behavior "unbecoming of a legislator"... Read more

Senator Silverstein Lied About My Endorsement: Rep. Lou Lang
Sen. Ira Silverstein's false campaign brochures led Rep. Lou Lang to break a neutrality pledge and endorse challenger Ram Villivalam... Read more

Harassment Allegations Against Rep. Lou Lang Dismissed
"I have been vindicated," Lang said, after the acting legislative inspector general announced the close of her investigation... Read more

Skokie Candidate Chosen Among 'College Women Of The Year'
Bushra Amiwala, 20, a Niles North graduate and first-time candidate for office, was named by as one of 10 young women making a difference... Read more

Major Crimes:

Skokie Woman Charged In Fatal Hit-And-Run
In March, she allegedly drove away after hitting a 58-year-old pedestrian who later died in the hospital... Read more

Jury Finds Man Guilty Of Murder In Niles North Student's Shooting
Dzevad Avdic was convicted in June of the first-degree murder of Max Gadau, who was fatally shot during a botched marijuana robbery in 2014... Read more

Woman Charged With Accidentally Killing Cousin In Skokie Hotel
The 23-year-old is accused of involuntary manslaughter over the fatal shooting of a relative celebrating her birthday in August at the Hampton Inn... Read more

Angry Over Affair, Skokie Man Shot Friend On Edens: Prosecutors
While driving on the expressway in August, the 40-year-old man shot his friend several times because he believed he was having an affair with his wife, according to prosecutors... More info...

NorthShore Gynecologist Indicted On Sexual Assault Charge
A 72-year-old doctor with offices in Skokie and Lincolnwood was indicted in September, accused of assaulting a patient during an exam last January... Read more