'Old Orchard Mall Is a Terrible Neighbor': Skokie Resident Blasts Shopping Center Over Parking Dispute

SKOKIE, IL — A Skokie resident urged village leaders to step into an escalating parking dispute involving Westfield Old Orchard and Niles North High School, saying the mall's actions are hurting students, staff and District 219.

The dispute is over an open space on the shopping center's property where Niles North teachers, staff and students have parked for several years.

Amber Woods, who was speaking as a Skokie resident instead of in her capacity as board president of Niles Township District 219, said Westfield Old Orchard had allowed Niles North students and staff to park in the open space in a mutually beneficial relationship.

That changed this summer, Woods said, due to upcoming planned construction at the mall. Woods told village officials the mall is ticketing teachers and towing students' cars that are parked in the area while they are in class.

She said the lot is often empty and that construction tied to the mall's redevelopment is not projected to begin until early 2027. According to the Chicago Tribune, the northwest corner of Old Orchard is expected to be torn down for a $100 million redevelopment project that would add hundreds of mixed-use residential units.

"Westfield Old Orchard Mall is a terrible neighbor, and I am shocked— no, appalled— about the way they're treating our school district and our teenagers," Woods said.

She also said the mall had charged the school district $300 per parking space, which is the same price as an on-campus annual parking permit at Niles North.

"I'd like to respectfully request that this board intervene and ask Westfield Mall to remember that while they may work here, we live here, and our kids go to school here," Woods said.

In a statement to Patch, the mall said it has historically accommodated parking for Niles North students and staff and had worked with District 219 over the past year to establish a formal arrangement.

The mall said its offer remains available and that it is "ready to work together on a solution that supports the school community while ensuring we can meet the needs of patrons."

"Westfield Old Orchard values its longstanding relationship with Niles North, District 219 and the Skokie community, and we recognize how important reliable parking is, particularly during the Old Orchard Road construction," officials said.