Skokie, IL Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)
Key Facts
- Menacing Animal microchip deadline
- 14 days
- Dangerous Animal (1st) microchip deadline
- 14 days, $200 fine
- Vicious Animal microchip deadline
- 10 days, $500 fine
- Repeat violations
- $100,000-$150,000 insurance/bond required
- Repeat offender consequence
- 24-month Problem Pet Owner ban
Summary
Skokie's Administrative Law Officer or a Cook County judge can order any dog or cat designated a Menacing, Dangerous or Vicious Animal to be surgically altered and microchipped, at the owner's expense, within 10 to 14 days of the determination under Village Code Sections 18-60 through 18-62.
(e)Additional penalties. In addition to the penalties established in Chapter 1, Section 1-6, the following penalties pertain to a violation of Section 18-61(a), in which a designation of Dangerous Animal has been made by an Administrative Law Officer or a Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County:(1)For the first violation of 18-61(a), an Administrative Law Officer or the Circuit Court of Cook Count, may require the owner any or all of the following:(i)Pay a minimum fine of $200.00;(ii)Have the animal evaluated within 10 days by a certified dog trainer, and complete training or other treatment as deemed appropriate by the expert. The owner of the Dangerous Animal shall be responsible for all costs associated with evaluations and training ordered under this subsection;(iii)Have the animal surgically altered and microchipped within 14 days of the determination at the owner's expense, if not previously done;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 205 | Zoning: Supplement 89).
Full Breakdown
Village of Skokie, Cook County, Illinois exercises home-rule authority under Article VII, Section 6 of the Illinois Constitution to regulate animals beyond the state Animal Control Act. Section 18-60 lets the Health Department bring a Menacing Animal case when an unprovoked dog or cat chases or threatens a person or pet without causing injury; on a first finding the owner may be ordered to pay a minimum $100 fine, have the animal evaluated by a certified trainer within 10 days, have it surgically altered and microchipped within 14 days at the owner's expense if not already done, and keep it on a non-retractable leash whenever off the owner's property.
Section 18-61 governs Dangerous Animals, defined as unprovoked chasing with an apparent attitude of attack that causes a less-than-severe injury, or a bite or scratch causing a less-than-severe injury. A first violation carries a $200 minimum fine, mandatory trainer evaluation, and microchipping and surgical alteration within 14 days of the determination. A second violation raises the fine to $300 and adds a $100,000 liability insurance or surety bond requirement; a third carries a $500 to $750 fine and a Problem Pet Owner designation. Section 18-62 covers Vicious Animals, those that bite or attack causing severe injury, and requires microchipping within 10 days, a $150,000 insurance or bond, secure confinement, and muzzling when outdoors; a second violation or an animal causing death or great bodily harm can lead to court-ordered euthanasia.
All three designations are made by an Administrative Law Officer or a Circuit Court of Cook County judge on a complaint from the injured party, a witness, or the Village.
Violations & Fines
Fines run from a $100 minimum for a first Menacing finding to $200, $300 and $500 to $750 for successive Dangerous Animal violations, and $500 then $750 for Vicious Animal violations, plus the owner's veterinary and medical bills for the injured person or animal. Two Dangerous or Vicious violations trigger a Problem Pet Owner designation under Section 18-40, revoking all licenses and barring the person from owning or licensing any animal in Skokie for 24 months, with immediate surrender of every licensed animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a dog a Dangerous Animal in Skokie?
How soon must I have my animal microchipped after a designation?
What happens on a repeat violation?
Can I be barred from owning animals in Skokie?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Skokie
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Microchipping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle microchipping.