By Bob Seidenberg Evanston voters will go to the polls Tuesday to fill two City Council seats, in a rare midterm election that could have a major bearing on some big issues facing the city, including Northwestern University’s $800 million Ryan Field project. In the centrally located Second Ward, Krissie Harris, an Oakton College educator whom…
By Bob Seidenberg Mayor Daniel Biss made known early his endorsements off candidates running in a special election April 4 to fill two City Council seats. Biss has actively promoted his choices — Krissie Harris in the 2nd Ward, and Juan Geracaris, in the 9th. But the mayor’s endorsement is just one of many endorsements…
By Bob Seidenberg Evanston officials have released a draft of consultants’ findings in a much-anticipated report, Evanston Thrives, that lays out an action plan for improving the city’s retail districts. The Thursday release of the report, though, only signals the start of the big job facing local economic development officials: to develop a work plan…
By Bob Seidenberg The city’s Finance and Budget Committee wants to pay for $17.7 million in capital improvement projects by issuing long-term bonds, despite some members’ reservations about the funding process. Committee members voted 6-2 Tuesday, March 21, to support the staff resolution which authorized payments for major projects in the city’s Capital Improvement Project (CIP)…
By Bob Seidenberg Second Ward City Council member Krissie Harris said earlier today she has already taken steps to return a pair of $6,000 donations — the most allowed individuals under election law— that critics have maintained were being used to buy influence in Northwestern University’s stadium project. In a phone interview earlier…
By Bob Seidenberg Evanston animal shelter advocates, after more than three-years’ of efforts to replace the city’s cramped animal shelter with a new facility, were rewarded with success Monday night with Council members approving a $6.85 million contract with a construction firm to move forward on the project. About $3.8 million of the total project…
By Bob Seidenberg rseiden914@gmail.com Beach tokens will be referred to as beach ‘passes’ under a change to the city’s “Beaches and Boat Ramps” code backed by the Parks & Recreation Board at their Feb. 16 meeting. Parks & Recreation Department staff requested the language to be updated, said Tim Carter, the city’s Recreation Manager, in…
By Bob Seidenberg A City Council committee pulled back Feb. 13 from approving staff’s choice of a firm to conduct an independent economic impact study of Northwestern University’s Ryan Field rebuild, with residents’ criticism playing into their decision. City staff had recommended that the city enter into a no-bid contract with Chicago-based Hunden Strategic Partners…
By Bob Seidenberg Members of a City Council committee held off Feb. 6 moving forward on an ordinance requiring employers to provide employees with predictable work schedules, including advance notice of changes. Human Services Committee members voted to table until their March 6 meeting action on what would be the city’s first Fair Workweek ordinance,…
By Bob Seidenberg As one of the city’s oldest and largest employers, Mather has as its mission, helping people age well. That takes a lot of work — and a lot of employees. Speaking at the city’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) meeting Jan. 26, Elizabeth Rose, the Vice President in charge of talent acquisition for…
