Good Sunday morning, Evanston.
Every Sunday we aim to give you the news of the past seven days, a peak back at the week, as well as the latest stories. Here’s what we have today:
No matter what you believe about the reversal of Roe v. Wade this week, the one undebatable fact is this was one of the few times the U.S. Supreme Court has removed a Constitutional right. The RoundTable staff spent a day gathering ideas and opinions from local, state and federal leaders as well as Evanstonians. Those who spoke to us reflected what the polls tell us – the majority of American support abortion rights.
Evanstonians as well as local, state and federal leaders reacted with wide disappointment and even outrage to the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Friday, which overturns the Constitutional right to abortion access set by Roe v. Wade in 1973 and opens the door for state-level abortion bans across the country. Shortly after the decision was announced, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D.-IL.) posted a video of her reaction as well as another on Instagram of her walking to a protest at the Supreme Court building, with the caption, “Women are NOT going back.”
NU Roe v. Wade news conference sparks impassioned debate. What was supposed to be an offering of Northwestern University academic expertise Friday for reporters to better understand the sweeping implications of the Roe v. Wade decision turned into an impromptu debate that underscored the divisions the country faces on the issue of abortion.
‘Tis the season for dumpster diving. When Northwestern University students pack up, home goods pile up. It’s something Evanstonians see and city officials try to prepare for. But the hope is that more students will start to plan how to dispose of their apartment and home goods. We look at the issue and provide a resource guide for students – and anyone looking to give away, donate or sell when moving.
City News
First day of summer brings severe heat, so many Evanstonians stay home. On Tuesday, Evanston was under a National Weather Service Hazardous Weather Outlook as temperatures climbed to 100° across Cook County. Expect more of the same as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecast a scorching summer for most of the United States.
Taming the beast: The Intricacies of Recycling in Evanston. In the first in a series of RoundTable stories about recycling, Meg Evans Smith describes how, despite the fact that climate change can make even the most optimistic of us feel hopeless about our planet’s future, there are simple everyday actions you can take to help.
Evanston honors life and legacy of Bill Logan. As the city was set to celebrate the life and legacy of the city’s first Black police chief, the weather refused to cooperate. Friday night’s kick-off of a showcase gallery exhibit at the Civic Center went on as scheduled. But Saturday’s events, which included the naming of a portion of McDaniel Avenue to “William ‘Bill’ Logan Jr. Way,” was postponed due to rain as well as “The Official Block Party” to honor him.
Celebrate 100 years of the Evanston Fourth of July Association. The centennial is this year’s theme. The Evanston Fourth of July Association is a non-profit organization was formed 100 years ago after a child was injured while playing with fireworks. We provide a summary of plans for the weekend.
Central Street day care center plans met with controversy. It became a traffic debate at Wednesday’s Land Use Commission meeting. Numerous residents said that a proposed day care center would clog up the already-busy intersection of Central Street and Gross Point Road. No decision was made at the meeting. Meanwhile the city awaits an opinion from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Business beginnings: New salad place, new patio downtown. Locally sourced salad restaurant Sweetgreen opened in the newly renovated Fountain Square Building, and Farmhouse Evanston officially opened its covered patio for year-round dining.
Local girl inspires passage of ‘Bee Bill’ in Illinois. Winnetka student and bee enthusiast Scarlett Harper celebrated at the Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary with State Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-18th) and State Sen. Laura Fine (D-9th) who sponsored the bill.
COVID-19 update as of June 23: Evanston and Cook County each rated ‘medium’ risk. The total number of new cases of COVID-19 in Evanston was 215 for the week ending June 22, 6% higher than the week before.
Schools
Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council plans local workforce development. More than 60 local business owners, public school administrators and nonprofit directors met at ETHS Wednesday to discuss the city’s recent investments to improve career and technical education for Evanston’s youth.
Evanston Police Department detectives concluded their investigation into nooses found May 13 at Haven Middle School, and announced Wednesday that a Haven student would be charged with a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge in juvenile court. District 65 Superintendent Devon Horton communicated separately that the district would resume its internal investigation in order to “determine the appropriate level of interventions, both disciplinary and restorative.”
Art & Life
The Art of Making Art: Lucy Knisley. Evanston’s Lucy Knisley creates comic books (i.e. graphic novels) for which she writes the story, draws the images and colors the pages. She also does other professional illustration work, speaks at Comic Con as well as other conventions and works with young adult school groups.
Why are the big fish schooling near the NU bridge? What’s with the carp gathering underneath and on both sides of the bridge connecting Northwestern University’s campus with the lake fill area? Experts at the Shedd Aquarium shed some light on the question.
Meez Meals hopes to up the ante on meal kit deliveries. Local working mother Jen Moore founded the company in 2011, before many of today’s mainstream meal kit delivery companies emerged.
The Aux receives Black Women Impact Grant. The multi-year grant from the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women Initiative adds to the Aux’s previous award of $500,000 from The Mather senior living center.
Public Square
Goodbye. Columnist Les Jacobson eulogizes his brother Billy, who passed away the week before. He writes of their tumultuous childhood, their bond later in life and the stories his family and colleagues shared about him.
Meet the editor: Susy Schultz. The RoundTable’s newest editor, Susy Schultz, introduces herself to the Evanston community and lays out our commitments to the community.
Sports
24-hour charity basketball game will support youth programs, honor life of ETHS student. The game, held in memorial of Ryan Bost, is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 2 at ETHS’s Beardsley Gym. Tickets are $5 for bleachers and $10 for courtside and all proceeds go to Camp Kuumba and the the Warren Cherry Scholarship Fund.
Ricky Byrdsong memorial race brings hope and a call for action. Some 4,000 runners and volunteers attended the first in-person race since 2019.
Getting to know Brittany Johnson. Did you know that ETHS’ head basketball coach also coaches the USA Women’s National Team? In this edition of People You Should Know, Brittanny Johnson is interviewed by ETHS alum Leighah Wool, who played on Johnson’s team from 2016 to 2017 and is the all-time leading ETHS scorer.
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