Boil order continues for 2nd day, crews repair large water main break in Skokie​on February 16, 2025 at 10:27 am

SKOKIE, Ill. (WLS) — Our coverage of this story has moved here.

Crews worked Saturday to repair a massive water main break in Skokie, where a boil water remains in effect.

The break caused streets to flood ahead of frigid weather early Friday morning.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Skokie village officials said they are working to restore water pressure and replenish the water system as soon as possible.

Crews on scene told ABC7 around 5:15 p.m. Saturday that the repairs were almost finished, but parts of Skokie are still under a boil order on Saturday. That boil order is expected to remain in effect until at least Sunday night.

“Crews have isolated the impacted water main and continue to work with contractors on repairs. Crews have determined that a fitting cap on a major water transmission main serving Skokie failed. An updated component has been sourced and is now being installed,” an update read in part. “There is no indication that the fitting cap failure was caused by any construction activity in the area. This is a significant repair to a major water pipeline, and work is ongoing.”

The Illinois EPA requires two clean samples of water 24 hours apart to lift a boil order, so many are hoping to hear good news Sunday as residents find ways to function without clean water at home.

The latest updates from the village can be found here.

There was also a precautionary boil order for part of Evanston, but that was lifted Saturday afternoon.

“The decision to lift the boil order in Northwest Evanston comes after thorough testing and confirmation that the water quality meets safety standards as per the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA),” a statement from Evanston officials read in part. “The City’s Water Production Bureau tested the water supply to ensure its safety and quality. There was no evidence that Evanston’s water system had been contaminated due to the water main break in Skokie.”

Chopper 7 was over the impacted area after the water main break, giving a bird’s eye view of the scale of a situation that one Skokie official called unprecedented for the village.

An ABC Plumbing truck was seen stuck in the icy water as a water main break caused flooding in Skokie on Friday morning.

Skokie officials said they responded to the water main break after 5 a.m. Friday near East Prairie and Emerson.

Hospital services, nearby schools and Skokie businesses were shuttered without water on Friday.

Of course, the freezing temperatures have only made cleanup efforts that much more challenging, and potentially dangerous.

The village has opened two warming facilities for those in need amid the boil order:
-The Robert Crown Community Center, 1801 Main St., in Evanston, will be open until 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 15.
-The Skokie Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Rd., in Skokie, will be open until noon on Saturday, February 15.

It’s been a difficult two days for people living in Skokie as the entire village is still waiting for clean water. The water main break Friday morning caused chaos across several blocks near East Prairie Road, flooding streets, homes and vehicles, with some people even stuck inside their homes temporarily.

Kathleen Schmidt, a single mom of triplets, was stranded in her home, and all three of her vehicles are now totaled.

“It’s been rough not being able to go anywhere telling the girls they can’t go outside because of the ice, and financially I don’t know what I’m gonna do, because it still costs money for the rental and buying a new car,” Schmidt said.

Many businesses in Skokie were still closed Saturday because of the boil order.

“We boiled a big pot, and then we had a handy man over who said you can get water from your hot water tank, so I did that for flushing the toilet when we first had the problem,” resident Dan Boyle said.

People have been running to the stores to stock up goods, and there’s been a true sense of community with neighbors helping each other out.

“Unfortunately, it takes the big snows and these kind of things we start talking to people, but there is a sense of we’re kinda in this together,” Boyle said.

“They’ve been great. My neighbor went and got us milk for the girls and some extra water, and neighbors have been bringing extra water, so we’ve been set up. They’re really a great community,” Schmidt said.

Firefighters could be seen pacing the neighborhood on Friday night, passing out cases of bottled water.

Another free bottled water distribution event started at 7 a.m. Saturday at Sketchbook Brewing at 4901 Main Street in Skokie. Hundreds of residents stopped by to pick up water.

The Skokie Spirit was on full display Saturday at a free bottled water distribution event, one car at a time.

The event continued until the bottled water ran out, organizers said.

“I just wanted to volunteer. It keeps me busy and it’s just what I want to do,” volunteer Paul Rivlin said.

They call it “the Skokie Spirit,” Neighbors helping neighbors, and strangers helping strangers during some tough days for the Village of Skokie.

“It’s been a challenging situation for everybody, but I think the community is getting through it very well,” Skokie Fire Department Chief Jeff Hoeflich said.

After the water main break, volunteers from all walks of life passed out free cases of bottled water Saturday morning at a local brewery to hundreds of residents in need.

Sketchbook Brewing owner Cesar Marron said it was a no-brainer, opening up his space to place the community’s well-being first.

“Anytime we have a chance to help whatever it is, whatever it is. We are here for it,” Marron said. “Don’t freak out. We’re here and taking it one step at a time. I think the village is doing everything they can.”

Skokie resident Sharon Reich picked up cases of bottled water for fellow neighbors living in her apartment building.

“When stuff happens and bad things happen people come together,” Reich said. “We are getting water for our whole building. You know what, people need to come together before bad stuff happens, you know? It makes me feel good.”

Skokie resident Jessie Ramiro said the helping hand during this trying time is warming his spirits on a frigid day.

“Yes, it’s been hard. We cannot wash dishes and we have to eat,” Ramiro said. “You know I think it’s a good thing that the community’s helping out.”

The Skokie Spirit was on full display, one car at a time.

Another giveaway is planned for Sunday starting at 7 a.m., also at Sketchbook Brewing.