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Good Tuesday morning, Evanston.
Above, John Lionberger (from left), Sandy Siepka and Ian Savage watch Monday as workers take down the burr oak tree at 1430 Hinman Ave. Siepka estimated the tree, which died from root rot, was 275 years old. (Photo by Richard Cahan)
Residents who live near the Margarita Inn have proposed an alternative “good neighbor agreement” for the shelter. Among other suggestions, the document would limit the facility to 30 people (less than half the planned 70-person capacity), require occupants prove prior Evanston residency and cap stays at 15 months. Nia Tavoularis, chief of development for Connections for the Homeless, called the proposal “more like a PR stunt.” A second Land Use Commission hearing on the Margarita Inn is set for Wednesday.
A proposal to allow cannabis consumption lounges in Evanston failed to make it out of committee Monday, bringing an end to the issue – at least for now. Eighth Ward Council Member Devon Reid (above) and other advocates argued that allowing marijuana lounges is an equity issue for renters, but opponents cited health concerns. The Planning and Development Committee voted 4-2 against the idea.
The attorney for the defendant in an aggravated battery case stemming from a Jan. 9 incident at the library said charges against the man might be dropped soon. Public defender Marni Share said the prosecutor could drop the charge or the case against Daniel Altamirano-Sanchez, charged over a physical altercation with an armed Evanston Public Library security guard, who drew his weapon in the incident.
COVID-19 by the numbers: Four new cases and no new deaths were reported Sunday, April 23, the last day the city updated totals. The seven-day average is nine cases per day.
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A southbound Union Pacific North train hit and killed a man at the Central Street Metra station just after 9 a.m. Monday, police and Metra said. Union Pacific North trains were shut down for about two hours and witnesses were interviewed.
District 65 plans to refinance some outstanding bonds to fund building repairs, with costs estimated at $189 million. “We have to get creative with ways of trying to address those facility repair needs,” Chief Financial Officer Raphael Obafemi told the school board Monday.
The proposed remap of the city’s political boundaries hasn’t faced extensive reaction yet, but residents slated to change wards have started to voice criticism. At a First Ward meeting, Dr. Arthur Altman, a Sherman Plaza condo owner, said residents “don’t want to be cut out of using our voice.”
People of all ages arrived early at Curt’s Café for “Elders Share Their Wisdom,” an April 18 performance of original proverbs, poetry and stories. Each performer in the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren group had a story to tell.
Cissy Lacks: A message from your friends with Parkinson’s. Members of Movers and Shakers, the Evanston Parkinson’s support group, would like to share some information about our experiences with Parkinson’s.
Letter to the editor: “The City needs to take charge and build a plan, one that is independent of the objectives of Connections for the Homeless,” writes Diana Durkes, who argues the shelter should have a scaled-down capacity of 30 residents.
Open letter to the mayor, City Council and LUC: The Margarita Inn “has continued to operate in the neighborhood with a minimal number of problems,” write Susan Munro and Toni Rey, Margarita Inn neighbors who support the facility.
Enroll in city’s Private Elm Tree Insurance Program by June 1. Community members can enroll in the city’s Private Elm Tree Insurance Program, which covers the removal of elm trees on private property when infected with Dutch elm disease.
Photos from our readers
Andrew Thomas catches the sun lighting up the Grosse Point Lighthouse. Send your photos to news@evanstonroundtable.com for a chance to be included in this newsletter.
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Around the web
‘The land is our relative’: NAISA hosts second annual Pow Wow on Earth Day. More than 200 Native and non-Native people gathered at Welsh-Ryan Arena Saturday to celebrate the local Indigenous community and the earth.
Closing their case in ComEd bribery trial, prosecutors hammer at ‘stunning’ stream of benefits delivered to Michael Madigan. Lawyers spent more than five hours Monday making their closing arguments. Jurors could begin deliberating Tuesday.
Common Threads in State Public University Faculty Strikes. Faculty at Chicago State, Eastern Illinois and Governors State universities went on strike at different times throughout April.
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