Council scorecard

Council Scorecard Monday, June 9, 1. Council votes 6-3, authorizing officials to move forward on the purchase of property at 801-09 Main Street. The city will tap Tax Increment Finance funds to purchase the property, which now includes a vacant laundromat. Voting in favor: Shawn Iles, 3rd, Jonathan Nieuwsma, 4th, Bobby Burns, 5th, Matt Rodgers,…

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Addressing the city’s Planning & Development Committee June 9, Laurie Jacobs speaks in support of making a residence at 2222 Grey Ave., a full time vacation rental. City of Evanston screenshot

Committee votes 5-0 against couple’s vacation rental request advancing

By Bob Seidenberg A City Council committee on Monday night shot down a request from a couple to make a single-family residence on the 2200 block of Grey Avenue into an all-year vacation rental, siding with a group of residents who argued it would have negative effects. The Planning and Development Committee voted 5-0 against…

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Evanston man, 28, charged with attempted murder in emergency room shooting

Female security guard, who was shot three times in the incident, is in stable condition: police A 28-year-old Evanston man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting in the Evanston Hospital emergency room June 5. The suspect, Christian Haywood, has been charged with one felony count of attempted first degree murder,…

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From left: Nina Wade and Nichole Pinkard talk about their request for $82,510 in financial assistance to cover the cost of a new fire suppression system at the EDC meeting Wednesday. “Our goal was to do this all on our own,” Pinkard told the committee. “ We did not initially assume we we were going to need to ask for funds.” Credit: Bob Seidenberg

Free Flow Kitchen wants city loan to take restaurant to next level

By Bob Seidenberg Nina Wade, the co-owner of the Free Flow Kitchen restaurant, said she and her panini press have been “hand-in-hand” since the restaurant opened May 20. She produces breakfast sandwiches with it in the morning, and then turns back, cranking out Tuscan sandwiches, to-go soups and salads for lunch. She and co-owner Nichole…

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Evanston City Manager Luke Stowe talks with Pastor Ken Cherry and family members after they complained of harassment of a longtime resident following a domestic dispute shooting in their neighborhood.

Pastor, family members say homeowner harassed after domestic shooting

By Bob Seidenberg The pastor and family members of an 86-year-old Evanston woman say she is being harassed by unfounded police calls and parking enforcement after a May 3 domestic-related shooting at her residence on the 2300 block of Greenwood Street. During the public comment portion of Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Pastor Ken Cherry and…

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At a meeting at Evanston Fire Department headquarters Thursday, Jack Mortell (left), president of the Evanston Firefighter’s Pension Board, and Hitesh Desai (center) the city’s chief financial officer and treasurer, discuss public safety pensions. Credit: Bob Seidenberg

City treasurer questioned over lack of transparency on pension tax

By Bob Seidenberg The president of the Evanston’s Firefighter’s Pension Board pushed the city Thursday to disclose how much of a special tax is being used to pay retiree pensions. Jack Mortell, the board president, pressed Hitesh Desai, the city’s chief financial officer and treasurer, to release figures for the revenues generated through the personal…

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Biss highlights his ability to win the tough fights, announcing a run for the 9th District Congressional seat

By Bob Seidenberg Mayor Daniel Biss announced his intention Wednesday to run for the 9th District Congressional seat, highlighting his ability to win tough fights in his opening message, including some “big ones”  as mayor. In a one-and-a-half-minute video, Biss said he is running “because we need Democrats who won’t flinch, who won’t fold, won’t…

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People using the limestone amphitheater steps at Grey Park. Credit: Bob Seidenberg

Preservation Commission raises concerns over Grey Park dog park design

Historic amphitheater an issue By Bob Seidenberg Members of the city’s Preservation Commission on Tuesday sharply criticized some design features proposed for a new city dog park at Grey Park, raising concerns that the project would undermine the park’s core feature and also limit access for some current users. Staff’s plan calls for the dog…

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