By Bob Seidenberg A collection of businesses and individuals in the busy Chicago Avenue area are raising strong objections to city plans for a two-way protected bike lane to run the length of the street, arguing that the project could have a damaging effect on business and urging officials to consider an alternative route. The…
By Bob Seidenberg Bringing a platter of the bakery’s fresh products to the meeting probably didn’t hurt the cause of a couple seeking assistance from the Economic Development Committee Wednesday to establish a bakery at 719 Main St. Sara Rathbun, the co-owner of Button Bakery, brought the platter of scones and pretzels with her to…
By Bob Seidenberg Members of the city’s Preservation Commission at their meeting earlier this month largely agreed that city designs for a protected two-way lane on Church Street west of Dodge Avenue and an expanded shared biking and pedestrian path along McCormick Boulevard pose no adverse effects to the two historic properties in the area…
By Bob Seidenberg With needs far outpacing available funding, members of the city’s Finance & Budget Committee on Tuesday agreed it’s time to address how much debt is acceptable in addressing a growing list of capital projects. Committee members didn’t vote at the end of their discussion, but there was consensus toward developing a policy on…
Council members appear open to expenditure cuts and new revenue sources — including property tax hike By Bob Seidenberg Evanston City Manager Luke Stowe has made it easy enough for the City Council to skate by without major changes this budget season, proposing a $342 million budget for 2025 that doesn’t include any new…
By Bob Seidenberg A group of Latino city employees has hit out at what they called a “disturbing slander campaign” that suggests favoritism was at play in job promotions they have received. “It seems like whenever a Latino is promoted, instead of being celebrated, we are investigated and devalued, like we can’t possibly be capable…
By Bob Seidenberg An Evanston homeowner’s young elm tree — currently leaning over a neighbor’s garage, and projected to grow in that direction in coming years — will remain in place at least a few months, in the first test of the of the city’s private tree ordinance. At Monday’s Human Services Committee meeting, Council Member…
Sign up for our free newsletter to have Evanston news delivered directly to your inbox every weekday! By Bob Seidenberg Sharon Perrino, a 22-year resident of Evanston’s downtown, is on a mission to promote sidewalk safety. Still recovering from injuries she suffered when she was knocked down by a cyclist June 29, the 75-year-old has been…
By Bob Seidenberg City officials have introduced the possibility of allowing the development of different housing options, such as duplexes and triplexes, in what are now single-family-only zones throughout the city, as one of the “bold steps” they are considering in the Envision Evanston 2045 process to rewrite the city’s zoning code and comprehensive plan….
By Bob Seidenberg rseiden914@gmail.com The Evanston City Council cleared the way Monday for a one-year pilot Pathway to Wellness program that aims to improve health outcomes for some of the city’s most vulnerable populations. Council members voted 9-0 in support of Fifth Ward Council Member Bobby Burns’ recommendation to approve the $400 000 funding allocation,…