MORE CITY NEWS POSTS

Council douses Reid’s call for fire service fee for certain non-taxpaying entities – like Northwestern

Fire chief expresses concern the change might deter some from using 911

Evanston City Council members have applied the brakes for now on a proposal that would require large non-property-tax-paying owners – most notably Northwestern University – to pay a fire service/utility fee for the service they now receive for free. During their session on Monday, Nov. 27, council members failed to give a second to Eighth Ward Council Member Devon Reid’s request to push ahead discussion of his proposal to next August. Several did…

Norovirus infects at least 60 from outbreak linked to event at Big Wig Tacos & Burritos

The city’s Health and Human Services Department “has verified that an estimated 60 individuals fell ill” with norovirus after eating at Big Wig Tacos & Burritos at 950 Church St. Saturday, Nov. 18, a city spokesperson said in a statement to the RoundTable Tuesday morning. The restaurant, which opened in early May in the Church Street Plaza, held a $1 burritos promotional event for Northwestern University students between 1 and 8 p.m. that…

Evanston’s deputy city manager to retire after nearly 40 years

Dave Stoneback began tenure overseeing water plant, worked under nine city managers

After 39 years, spanning five job titles and working under nine permanent or interim city managers, Deputy City Manager Dave Stoneback is set to retire from the City of Evanston on Friday, Dec. 1. City Manager Luke Stowe announced Stoneback’s retirement at the beginning of Monday’s City Council meeting. Stowe, who began working for the city in 2012 and was named city manager last year, thanked Stoneback for his long tenure of service…

First stadium funds could allow city to avoid 2024 property tax hike

Council votes to ban sale of flavored tobacco products

Evanston City Council members may make fast use of revenues to be generated through Northwestern University’s Ryan Field stadium project approved last week, eyeing the funds to erase the need for a property tax hike in their 2024 fiscal year budget. Council members voted 6-3 Monday in favor of Eighth Ward Council Member Devon Reid’s motion to use $1.5 million in unallocated Good Neighbor funds to offset a property tax hike. Council members…

Skokie man accused of bomb threats to Evanston locations

Suspect already facing charges in numerous similar threats in other suburbs

Evanston police say a Skokie man has been charged with four felony counts of disorderly conduct in connection with allegations of bomb threats against the Evanston Public Library and a McDonald’s location, the department announced Monday. According to a city news release, 23-year-old Jacob Spiro surrendered to EPD on Nov. 17 after police identified him as sending the four threats in September and October of 2023. Two false threats were sent to the…

Major transformation ahead for Beck Park

Beck Park, now a lightly used park on Evanston’s west side, is slated for a transformation into a significant destination for neighborhood residents, particularly children, in the coming years. With the addition of land to its existing 5.6 acres, the park just east of the North Shore Channel will soon include new playground equipment with separate areas for younger and older children, a water feature and new bicycle and walking paths, as well…

Beaver spotted at Northwestern’s lagoon

First documented sighting since three mysterious deaths in 2021

Beavers appear to have returned to Northwestern University’s lagoon, longtime Evanston resident Geri Joy discovered recently during one of her morning walks.

Ryan Field demolition must wait for preservation review

State historic preservation office cannot permanently stop a project, but process will delay teardown

Though Northwestern University’s plans to demolish and rebuild Ryan Field won Evanston City Council approval Monday, the university will have to wait several months to begin tearing down the current stadium because of state requirements for buildings deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The stadium, which opened in 1926, was identified by the state as an official candidate for the National Register in 2006, though it never was actually designated…

Equity Commission developing scorecard to rate city policies

The city’s Equity and Empowerment Commission is revising its proposed Evanston Policy Racial Equity Scorecard and preparing to send the draft document, created during the pandemic, to the City Council. The scorecard states it was created by the commission “to ensure that the principles of equity that our city has committed to … are put into action in the creation of new policies and practice developed by all arms of the city governance…

Norovirus outbreak linked to $1 burritos at Big Wig Tacos

The Evanston Health and Human Services Department (EHHS) is currently investigating a confirmed norovirus outbreak with the assistance of Northwestern University. Based on information gathered during the investigation, individuals reported experiencing stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea after consuming food at the following event:

Finally, it’s done: Council approves Ryan Field rebuild, concerts, NU benefits agreement

Biss breaks 4-4 tie to pass rezoning, concert proposals

It took a 15-hour Land Use Commission hearing across three meetings, 17 hours of City Council discussion across another three meetings, hundreds more hours of community meetings and thousands of pages of public testimony. But 14 months after Northwestern University unveiled its plans for a Ryan Field rebuild, Evanston City Council voted to approve the project. Late Monday night – or early Tuesday morning, depending on the specific vote – the council approved…

Residents at town hall challenge details of proposed Ryan Field pact

Five-hour meeting gets into agreement’s duration, wording, negotiation process

It’s not every day a council member has to respond to implied accusations of a felony, but that’s the position Devon Reid found himself in Thursday night. “Anyone who thinks that any council member has broken any law, I mean, take that to court, take that to the State’s Attorney’s Office,” the 8th Ward council member said. “I would encourage you to do that, because accusing someone of a felony is a big,…

Holiday light recycling program begins Dec. 1

The City of Evanston’s annual holiday light recycling program will run from Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, through Sunday, Jan. 31, 2023, in conjunction with the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) and Elgin Recycling.

Budget panel chair makes case for property tax boost

‘The money has to come from somewhere’

Property tax increases are never popular, but past City Council decisions to keep the taxes flat or exceptionally low, failing to keep pace with inflation, may have ended up hurting the city financially in the long run. At Tuesday’s Finance and Budget Committee meeting, committee members took a deep dive into Evanston’s property tax history to gain a better understanding of city officials’ request this year for a 7.8% increase in the city’s property tax…

38 hurt in CTA Yellow Line train collision at Howard Street

The Chicago Fire Department said 38 people were hurt Thursday morning after a train on the Skokie Swift Yellow Line collided with a piece of snow removal equipment at the train yard north of the Howard Street station. Three of the injured were hospitalized in critical condition. District Chief Robert Jurewicz of the Chicago Fire Department said at a news conference that the train and equipment were on the same track and the…

Animal Welfare Board eyes horse-drawn carriages

Proposal requiring permits will go to Law Department

While their numbers might be exceedingly rare in Evanston, horse-drawn carriages have drawn the attention of the city’s Animal Welfare Board, and board members hope the city can amend its code to require permits for the old-fashioned vehicles.  The five-person board, which reports to the city’s Human Services Committee, considered the issue Wednesday, Nov. 15, at its final 2023 meeting. The meeting was held at Evanston Police Department headquarters, 1454 Elmwood Ave. Board…

How the Ryan Field deal came together

City Council seems as divided as ever over negotiations with Northwestern

Chances are that Northwestern University will get its wish on Monday, Nov. 20, by winning City Council approval for its Ryan Field rebuild and zoning amendment to host concerts at the new facility when it opens in three years. The only thing left for the council to do is vote. Despite agreeing to table the matter for an extra week of consideration at the Monday, Nov. 13, meeting, Mayor Daniel Biss, Council Member…

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