The Village of Skokie has been recognized with the 2023 “Silver” Civic Experience Award from government technology company CivicPlus for its innovative use of technology to make Village services more accessible, convenient and efficient. Skokie was one of only three CivicPlus communities awarded through the program, which “recognizes local government departments, teams, and municipalities working hard to improve civic experiences in ways that create greater resident satisfaction and safer, cleaner, and more profitable communities.” The Village utilizes CivicPlus for website hosting and other digital services.
In 2022, the Village implemented the CivicOptimize web solutions program to automate and streamline processes and tasks previously handled manually, and provide residents the ability to schedule and make secure online payments for a variety of Village services, including fire protection system inspections, pet licensing, fire alarm permit renewals, emergency financial assistance, and birth and death certificate applications.
Watch a video highlighting the Village’s initiative featuring Mayor George Van Dusen and Village staff.
In June 2023, the Village used CivicOptimize to help manage its inaugural communitywide garage sale, in which more than 250 households participated. Households that registered to participate in the event through the Village’s online form were automatically populated into an interactive online map, providing garage sale attendees with an up-to-date listing of garage sale locations and hours, while saving Village staff time and resources.
Staff from the Village Manager's Office and Information Technology Division, as well as the Finance Department, the Police Department, the Fire Department, and the Health Department all contributed to the successful launch and implementation of the tool.
As a silver award winner, Skokie will receive $500 to donate to a local charity. Other 2023 Civic Experience award winners include Margate, Florida and Calera, Alabama.
