Those who were energized by the recent national election should consider finding a local outlet for their enthusiasm by accepting the Public Service Challenge. Two workshops sponsored by a coalition of community groups will provide guidelines on how to run for the April municipal and School Board election.
A Nov. 22 workshop will address separately the workings of City government and the School Districts and the salient issues in each sphere. The second workshop, on Dec. 6, will focus on the nuts and bolts of running a political campaign. Each workshop will run from 8 a.m. to about noon. To register for the workshops or to obtain additional information, visit www.evcommfdn.org.
Candidates seeking to run for the offices of mayor, alderman, City Clerk, township supervisor or township assessor must file nominating petitions with the City Clerk’s office between Dec. 8 and 15. If five or more candidates have filed for a particular office, then a primary election must be held for that office on Feb. 24, 2009. If only four candidates file, then no primary is required for that office. The general election will be held on April 7, 2009.
Candidates seeking to run for the District 65 or District 202 School Boards must file nominating petitions between January 19 and 26, 2009. Four persons will be elected to each of the School Boards.
The mayoral election has already attracted five candidates; however, other positions remain uncontested. We urge anyone inspired by the ideals that brought 81 percent of registered Evanston voters to the polls last week to accept the Public Service Challenge.