By Bob Seidenberg Northwestern University’s proposed draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the city for the university’s $800 million stadium project speaks of public benefits but provides no figures as of yet concerning the contribution the tax-exempt university might give to blunt neighborhood impacts. The draft MOU is included in the packet of materials for…
By Bob Seidenberg Evanston’s Tannenbaum Chabad Rabbi Dov Hillel KIein recalled saying two weeks ago if any of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas militants Oct. 7 were going to survive, it would be Judith Raanan, a frequent visitor to Chabad. “Why?” he said. “Because she has unbelievable hope, a tremendous amount of hope.” He quoted…
By Bob Seidenberg rseiden914@gmail.com Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss issued a statement today regarding what he termed the “ongoing tragedy” in Israel. His comments on the issue came noticeably later than some of his political colleagues, including U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who both released statements shortly after the attacks on Israel….
Evanston Public Library names Yolande Wilbern as its new executive director The Evanston Public Library Board of Trustees announced today that they have named Yolande Wilburn as the Library’s new executive director, capping a more than 15-month search to a close. Wilburn will join the Evanston Public Library as the new Executive Director, starting Nov….
By Bob Seidenberg rseiden914@gmail.com Evanston has made good use of renewable energy certificates in the past, purchasing them to buy a stake in renewable energy projects elsewhere, even though the sources of that renewable energy may be some far-off wind farm in North Dakota. City Council members reaffirmed continued use of that strategy Monday, voting 7-0…
By Bob Seidenberg The Evanston City Council awarded employee groups with substantial pay increases this year, taking into account the cost-cutting measures workers had agreed to as the city grappled with losses during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the city enters its budget season, several things are shaping up as key concerns…
By Bob Seidenberg Rule 5.2 of the Rules and Organization of the City Council states that a board or commission appointee may be reappointed only once. It’s a rule rarely if ever noticed and frequently not followed, but it became the center of discussion at the Evanston City Council meeting Sept. 11. Daniel Biss, who…
Join Mayor Biss, City staff, and community leaders for a discussion about potential legislation requiring new construction to be fully electric, without natural gas connections. This Town Hall style meeting will take place on Wed., Sept. 20, at 6:30 p.m., at the Morton Civic Center (Parasol Room).
By Bob Seidenberg Residents would be required to obtain special permits before removing designated trees from their property under an ordinance expected to go to vote Monday night. Evanston City Council members are scheduled to vote on the city’s first comprehensive ordinance governing the protection of trees on private property, which makes up at least…
The City of Evanston is proud to announce a significant step towards achieving its Climate Action & Resilience Plan (CARP) goals, the addition of twelve new electric vehicles (EVs) to its municipal fleet. This brings the City closer to its commitment to reaching carbon neutrality. The City’s journey toward electrifying its fleet began in April…
