‘Justice’ is Key in National, Local Reaction to Chauvin Guilty Verdict
Much of Evanston was watching or listening when, at 4 p.m. on April 20, a jury convicted now-fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. The case took on international meaning as a symbol of injustice at the hands of the State after multiple videos […]
The Chauvin Verdict: Police Work Is a Job ‘Where We Need to Make the Right Decisions,’ Evanston Police Chief Demitrous Cook
Evanston Police Chief Demitrous Cook, like much of the country, was waiting for word to come down on the trial […]
‘Stop Killing Us’ Protest and Rally Draws Hundreds, Issues Call to Action
More than 500 people joined Evanston Fight for Black Lives (EFBL) and Northwestern Community Not Cops (NUCNC) at Independence Park […]
LATEST NEWS
Masked Picture of the Day: Doug Haight’s Masks
President Joe Biden has said he will ask everyone to wear a mask for the first 100 days of his administration to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. […]
Staff Proposal Would Pull Plug on Citizens Board of Ethics, Turn Process Over to Special Counsel and City-Hired Hearing Officer
The City’s Board of Ethics would be eliminated and a City-paid hearing officer would decide ethics violations cases under a staff proposal that some residents have raised concerns over, saying […]
COVID-19 Update on April 20: Seven New Cases in Evanston, 2,587 in the State
Risk of Community Spread The charts in the above chart box show that the seven-day average of new cases in Evanston, Suburban Cook County, Chicago and the State is trending […]
City Seeks Input on Oakton Corridor Improvements
The City of Evanston is seeking community input on improvements to the Oakton Street Corridor, from Asbury Avenue to the North Shore Channel. The Oakton Street Corridor Study aims to […]
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RECENT POSTS
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Welcome to the new Evanston RoundTable website – we’re glad you’re here. If you read us on a smart phone or tablet device, we want to let you know about an important change that will […]
Subscribe to the new RoundTable podcast!
The Evanston RoundTable recently launched a new podcast series – the RoundCast. We’re kicking off the series with episodes featuring candidates for office in Evanston’s Feb. 23 primary and April 6 general election. The RoundCast […]
A Big Effort Behind City’s First ‘Tiny Home’ Ordinance
Andrew Gallimore already knew a little about “tiny houses,” before he found a lot in Evanston where he might like to build one two years ago. To be sure, some of his information came from […]
District 65 Superintendent Devon Horton Proposes New School Board Committee Structure to Provide More Transparency
At the District 65 School Board Policy Committee meeting on April 12, Superintendent Devon Horton proposed a new School Board committee structure that would provide more transparency and afford the public the right to observe […]
Officials Begin Laying Plans for Process Around $45.8 Million in Federal Stimulus Money Heading City’s Way
With cost-cutting and even revenue gains in some places, the City was able to absorb revenue losses due to COVID-19 in 2020 and even manage a small surplus at year’s end. This year will provide […]
Mayor Hagerty’s State of the City Address Focuses on Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
On April 9, Mayor Stephen Hagerty delivered his 2021 State of the City Address at the Evanston Chamber of Commerce’s State of the City Luncheon. The format of this year’s virtual event included a live […]
District 65 2020 Achievement Report: More Limited in Scope, But Same Trends
At their April 12 meeting, District 65 School Board members discussed the District’s 2020 Accountability and Achievement Report. Due to limitations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the report provides more limited data: the percentage of […]
Evanston and Skokie Enter New 20-Year Water Contract
The City of Evanston and Village of Skokie are planning to enter into new long-term water contract through which Evanston will continue to supply Skokie homes and businesses with Lake Michigan water. The Skokie Village […]
CITY NEWS
COVID-19 Update on April 19: Six New Cases in Evanston, 1,959 in the State
Risk of Community Spread The charts in the above chart box show that the seven-day average of new cases in Evanston, suburban Cook County, Chicago, and the State has finally slowed down. On […]
City Council Recommends RFP for Alternatives to Emergency Response Team
At the March 22 City Council meeting, aldermen accepted the report from the Alternatives to 911 Subcommittee and directed staff to draft and issue a request for proposals for an Alternative to Emergency […]
Peaceful Anti-Police Protest, March on April 18
An estimated 400 people gathered in Independence Park on April 18 for a protest against police violence and a rally to defund the Evanston and Northwestern police departments, organized jointly by Evanston Fight […]
2021 Beach Passes Available Beginning April 26
Purchase and redeem season and daily passes with the convenient new mobile app. Evanston beach passes for the 2021 season will be available for purchase beginning April 26. The City’s public swimming beaches […]
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ART & LIFE
Sheila Arnold Interprets Social Activist Daisy Bates
On April 13, the Levy Lecture Series audience was entertained by professional storyteller and historical interpreter Sheila Arnold who presented a virtual “conversation” with the social […]
Rembrandt Chamber Musicians Updates Spring Concert to Online Only, Recording at Nichols Concert Hall
‘Celebrate Spring’ Concert to Feature Chamber Music That Looks to Brighter Days Ahead The next concert in Rembrandt Chamber Musicians’ 2020–2021 season will again be virtual, […]
Downtown Farmers Market Opens May 1
The Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market will kick off its 46th season on May 1 with more than 60 vendors selling fruit, flowers, baked goods, and more. The Market will […]
2nd Act Players Presents ‘Pandemic Stories: 7 Tales of Love, Life and Loss’
The Evanston 2nd Act Players spring 2021 production, Pandemic Stories: 7 tales of love, life and loss will open online April 23 with shows running Friday, Saturday and Sunday […]
SCHOOLS
Virtual FAN Event With Ian Rosenberg on April 15
“The Fight for Free Speech: Ten Cases That Define Our First Amendment Freedoms,” a conversation between Ian Rosenberg and Michael Signer, will be held at […]
Pope John XXIII Students Write on Equity, Identity
Pope John XXIII School added a new feature to its observance of Black History Month. Teacher Meaghan Heaton created a contest open to all […]
As ETHS Prepares to Open, Air Quality Remains a Question for Some
At the last District 202 School Board meeting, held just two days before Evanston Township High School is scheduled to open for hybrid learning, […]
ETHS to Begin Hybrid Instruction on April 14
At the April 12 District 202 Board meeting, Peter Bavis, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, described the Evanston Township High School hybrid learning […]
PUBLIC SQUARE
Earth Day Summit Has Potential to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Earth Day Summit Has Potential to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions In thinking about President Biden’s upcoming Earth Day Summit, I am struck by the double meaning of this homophone as both a “peak” and […]
SPORTS
ETHS’s Kalil Johnson Sets Hurdles Records in Track Debut
Kalil Johnson is convinced that the coronavirus pandemic cost him a State hurdles championship last spring. On Saturday he delivered a statement to the rest of […]
ETHS Girls Open with Three Relay Wins at Kankakee Invite
The temptation for most high school track coaches to push the pace when it comes to training this year, in the wake of the coronavirus that […]
Fies’ Goal Clinches Happy Ending for ETHS Boys Soccer Team
A season that was in doubt right until the opening kick couldn’t have had a happier ending. Evanston’s boys soccer team blanked rival New Trier 1-0 […]
Big Plays Boost ETHS Football Over Glenbrook South
In a normal high school football season – remember what that was like, when games weren’t played in April? – now might be the point in time […]
REPORTS & ANALYSES
District 202 School Board Reacts to Emails About Eliminating School Resource Officers
Administrators said SROs at ETHS have a different philosophy and role than do SROs at many other schools.
High Percentage of Students Entering ETHS Lack ‘Proficiency’ in Reading
Only about 30% of Black and Latinx students are entering ETHS proficient in reading.
AP Results Mixed: More Students Earn 3 or Higher on Exams, But Fewer Minority Student Enroll
There has been a decrease in the percentages of minority students taking AP classes over the past few years.
Developing a Segregated Town, 1900-1960
Evanston’s first African American residents arrived in the 1850s, and by 1880 there were approximately 125 African Americans in Evanston. The number grew to 737 in 1900. At that time, many of the African Americans in Evanston worked in domestic and personal service. With the Great […]
The Role of Foster School in the Implementation of School District 65’s Desegregation Plan in 1967 and Its Closing in 1979
Foster School, virtually an all-Black school in 1966, was closed as a neighborhood school in 1967 as part of the District’s desegregation plan, and it was closed altogether in 1979. As time passed, many in the community have recognized that these actions put the burden of […]