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2 days ago

Evanston technical committee debates how to count renewables, hears ASHRAE guidance on target-setting At its April 1 meeting the Evanston Healthy Buildings technical committee discussed how on-site solar, community solar and RECs should count toward ordinance targets, clarified verification and reporting questions, and heard ASHRAE vice chair Jamie Kono recommend using local benchmarking when setting EUI targets.

Evanston's Healthy Buildings committee is tackling the complex challenge of how to accurately count and verify renewable energy contributions, with a focus on local benchmarks and innovative compliance pathways.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #LocalDecarbonization

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3 weeks ago

Committee approves Cook County grant application to study Main Street; residents press for full bike network The committee authorized an Invest in Cook 2026 grant application to study design and engineering of Main Street improvements (Hartrey to Asbury). Public commenters and members pressed staff to evaluate bike and pedestrian infrastructure across the full Main Street corridor, not just segmented blocks.

Evanston is taking a big step toward safer streets with a new grant application aimed at transforming Main Street, but residents are calling for a comprehensive bike and pedestrian network to fill in dangerous gaps.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal

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3 weeks ago

Committee approves CDM Smith change order for PFAS study after testing delays; no extra cost reported Evanston’s Administration & Public Works Committee approved a change order to CDM Smith’s PFAS treatment study contract after delays caused by malfunctioning test skids. Daryl King said roughly $1 million has been spent and the city remains below the new federal PFAS MCL of 4 parts per trillion.

Evanston's committee just approved a key change order for a million-dollar study on PFAS treatment, despite delays from malfunctioning equipment—what's next for the city's water safety?

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalProtection

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3 weeks ago

City staff: ACEEE technical assistance awarded for renter energy-equity work; Sustain Evanston program launches with grants for covered buildings City staff told the Healthy Buildings Accountability Board it received ACEEE technical assistance for an "Energy Equity for Renters" project (Connections for the Homeless to receive $10,000), announced the Sustain Evanston program launch with roughly $250,000–$300,000 in funding for building upgrades, and described a new city website portal for Healthy Buildings materials.

Evanston is making strides in energy equity for renters and launching a major funding program for building upgrades—are you ready to be part of this change?

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #EnergyEquity #CommunitySupport

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3 weeks ago

Evanston board debates criteria for ‘equity prioritized’ buildings under Healthy Buildings ordinance Members of the Healthy Buildings Accountability Board discussed how to define and prioritize "equity prioritized buildings" (EPBs), weighing definitions based on unit rent versus resident income, treatment of mixed-use and nonprofit-owned properties, and the need for local building-stock data and mapping before finalizing criteria.

Evanston's Healthy Buildings Accountability Board is grappling with how to define "equity prioritized buildings," a decision that could shape the future of housing assistance in the community.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #EquityInitiatives

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1 month ago

Evanston council adopts zoning RFP with new consultant requirements after extended debate After hours of public comment and council debate, Evanston approved a revised request for proposals (RFP) to update its zoning code, adding explicit consultant qualifications for economic and fiscal analysis; a separate motion to require an independent third‑party impact study failed on a tied vote.

Evanston's City Council just approved a game-changing zoning RFP, reshaping the future of urban development with new consultant criteria after a heated debate!

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #EvanstonZoning #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning #CommunityInput #EquityInOutreach

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1 month ago

Advocates press bill to limit credit-score screening for voucher holders Advocates at an Evanston webinar described HB5394, a proposed amendment to bar landlords from using credit scores to deny applicants who have vouchers or guaranteed nonwage income, and asked partners to sign on and submit anecdotal evidence to support a committee hearing.

Advocates are rallying for a crucial bill that could end credit score discrimination against housing voucher holders, arguing that these scores misrepresent rental success potential.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #TenantRights #CitizenPortal #HousingEquality #EvanstonHousing

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1 month ago

Evanston workshop outlines source-of-income protections, local enforcement gaps Open Communities and partners reviewed Illinois source-of-income protections, common landlord practices that may violate the law, how to document complaints, and a notable enforcement gap in Evanston that blocks use of Cook County'level investigative resources.

Evanston residents learned crucial insights on fighting source-of-income discrimination at a recent workshop, revealing alarming enforcement gaps that impact voucher holders' rights.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CommunityAdvocacy #CitizenPortal #HousingDiscrimination #EvanstonHousing

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1 month ago

Evanston report finds concentrated environmental burdens in four wards, urges coalition and policy action A consultant presentation to the Equity & Empowerment Commission identified concentrated environmental disparities in Evanston’s 5th, 2nd, 8th and 9th wards and recommended an umbrella coalition, a tracking dashboard and targeted 'green zones' to prioritize trees and capital investment.

Evanston's latest Environmental Equity Investigation reveals stark disparities in health and income across key wards, calling for urgent action to create "green zones" and foster community coalitions.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #CommunityEmpowerment

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1 month ago

Evanston committee advances 'Housing for All' plan, agrees to study just‑cause protections and removes right‑to‑purchase proposal The Housing & Community Development Committee voted Feb. 17 to forward an edited Housing for All plan to City Council, agreed to further explore a just‑cause eviction policy, and removed a tenant/community right‑to‑purchase section and a transfer‑of‑development‑rights exploration from the draft.

Evanston's Housing Committee just took a major step forward by advancing the 'Housing for All' plan while exploring stronger renter protections—what's next for the city's housing future?

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #AffordableHousing #CommunityDevelopment

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1 month ago

Evanston commission directs staff to study Lincolnwood’s site and urban-design significance After a public comment from District 65 and community members, the Evanston Preservation Commission voted to direct staff to prepare a landmark-report for Lincolnwood Elementary focusing on planning/site significance (criteria 5 and 9). The commission requested further deed and integrity research; staff has 70 days to return a draft report.

The Evanston Preservation Commission has taken a bold step to explore the historical significance of Lincolnwood Elementary, emphasizing the need to honor diverse narratives in the community.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #EvanstonPreservation #SocialHistory

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1 month ago

After debate on racial history, commission amends Willard nomination report and approves sending it to City Council The Preservation Commission heard public testimony about Willard Elementary’s ties to neighborhood displacement, amended the draft nomination to fold spatial/open‑space language into its architectural justification, and approved sending the edited report and resolution to City Council; commissioners agreed to remain open to adding new historical documentation later.

The Preservation Commission's decision to amend the Willard Elementary landmark nomination has sparked a crucial debate on how history and architecture intersect in the context of racial displacement.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal

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1 month ago

Evanston votes to apply for $3.4M federal grant to design Sheridan Road corridor improvements Council authorized submission of a $3.4 million federal grant application to fund feasibility and design work on Sheridan Road; staff estimated potential construction costs of $18–20 million and clarified that accepting the design grant does not obligate construction.

Evanston's City Council just took a major step towards enhancing Sheridan Road with a $3.4 million federal grant application for vital design improvements!

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #InfrastructureImprovement #CitizenPortal #UrbanDesign #EvanstonCorridor #FederalGrant

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1 month ago

Evanston rules committee keeps two‑thirds threshold for selecting acting mayor after tied vote After public commenters urged the city to keep a six‑vote supermajority, the Rules Committee rejected a motion to rescind the two‑thirds (six‑vote) requirement for appointing an acting mayor, leaving the higher threshold intact; legal staff also said restricting who may serve would require a referendum.

Evanston's Rules Committee stands firm, rejecting a move to lower the supermajority requirement for selecting an acting mayor, igniting a heated debate on political trust and governance.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #PublicTrust #EvanstonRules

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1 month ago

Evanston preservation panel approves demolition and replacement at Burnham estate with documentation and salvage conditions The Evanston Preservation Commission voted 6–2 to grant a certificate of appropriateness allowing demolition of the heavily altered Daniel Burnham–era shelter house at 111 Burnham Place and construction of a contemporary replacement, adding conditions requiring measured as‑built documentation, archaeological sensitivity (including human‑made objects), and reasonable access for local repositories to salvage material.

A historic decision in Evanston has paved the way for the demolition of a controversial shelter house from the Burnham estate, but with crucial conditions to preserve its legacy.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #EvanstonHistory #CulturalPreservation

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1 month ago

Evanston health staff brief committee on communicable disease surveillance and MDRO risks Evanston's Health and Human Services staff presented a communicable disease report and an overview of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs); the committee accepted the report and asked clarifying questions about outbreak definitions and reporting thresholds.

Evanston's health officials just revealed alarming insights on the rising threat of multidrug-resistant organisms—could your health be at risk?

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #InfectionControl #EvanstonHealth #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal

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1 month ago

Evanston committee advances repeal of panhandling restriction to City Council after debate The Evanston Human Services Committee voted Feb. 2 to advance an ordinance that would repeal the city's panhandling restrictions, after public comment from civil-rights advocates and discussion among council members about downtown safety and alternatives handled by the city's care team.

Evanston's Human Services Committee is taking a bold step to repeal panhandling restrictions, igniting a heated debate on free speech and public safety.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #HomelessnessSupport #EvanstonHumanServices #PublicSafety #FreeSpeechRights

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2 months ago

Evanston committee recommends contract for retail pop‑up incubator pilot, debates procurement The Evanston Economic Development Committee voted to recommend a contract for a retail pop‑up incubator pilot intended to reduce downtown commercial vacancies, approving a staff recommendation while some members urged an open RFP instead of single‑source procurement.

Evanston is set to breathe new life into its downtown with a proposed retail pop-up incubator program, aiming to combat commercial vacancies and empower local entrepreneurs!

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #EvanstonEconomy #LocalBusinessSupport #EntrepreneurshipInnovation

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2 months ago

ComEd briefs Evanston panel on reliability, capacity planning and incentives ComEd described recent reliability gains in Evanston, plans for capacity planning amid electrification, and a suite of state‑funded energy‑efficiency incentives and technical services for municipalities, businesses and residents.

ComEd is making strides in reliability for Evanston, cutting outage frequency and unveiling exciting energy-efficiency incentives for residents and businesses alike!

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #SustainableElectrification #CitizenPortal #EnergyEfficiency

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2 months ago

Committee approves change order to design expanded water-plant perimeter fencing; engineering totals and $6.5M construction estimate discussed Council approved Change Order #1 with T.Y. Lynn International Great Lakes Inc. to expand design for perimeter fencing, gates and retaining walls at the water plant. Staff said the change order increases engineering/design to about $656,000 (change order $218,000) and estimated construction at roughly $6.5 million, with much of the cost passed to wholesale water customers.

The committee has approved a significant change order to enhance the water utility perimeter fence design, unveiling a $6.5 million construction project that could reshape the landscape of Evanston's water plant.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #EnvironmentalProtection #CommunitySafety

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2 months ago

Committee approves contracts with MC Squared for community aggregation and municipal electricity; pricing set at 8.4¢/kWh (12-month municipal option) The committee approved a community choice aggregation (CCA) contract and a municipal electricity supply contract with MC Squared; staff reported an actionable weighted average price of 8.4¢/kWh (including renewable energy credits) and recommended a 12-month municipal contract despite a slightly higher 24-month forward price.

Evanston's Public Works Committee just greenlit two major contracts with MC Squared, promising a competitive electricity rate of 8.4¢/kWh for city buildings and residents opting into community choice aggregation!

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #RenewableEnergy #EvanstonCommunity

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2 months ago

Committee considers ordinance to allow negotiation of sale of two city lots on Darrow Avenue for land-trust affordable homes Council introduced Ordinance 5-0-26 to authorize negotiation of sale of city-owned properties at 2120 and 2122 Darrow Avenue; staff said the lots were acquired through the HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP2) in 2010 and proposed using them for two land-trust homes limited to households at up to 120% AMI.

Evanston is taking a bold step towards affordable housing by negotiating the sale of two city-owned lots for new family homes—revitalizing the community and returning these properties to the tax rolls!

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CommunityDevelopment #EvanstonAffordableHousing

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2 months ago

Evanston technical committee reviews building performance standards, sets homework on renewables and interim targets The Healthy Buildings Technical Committee reviewed key provisions of Evanston's building performance standards ordinance — including EUI, net-zero on-site emissions and 100% renewable electricity goals — and agreed to develop a syllabus and staff materials on renewable pathways and interim standards ahead of rulemaking.

Evanston's Healthy Buildings Technical Committee is setting ambitious performance standards to ensure all properties achieve energy efficiency and 100% renewable electricity by 2050.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #ClimateAction #RenewableElectricity #CitizenPortal #EnergyEfficiency

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2 months ago

Finance & Budget Committee recommends PPRT be applied to public safety pensions, forms subcommittee on investment rate and tables excess-reserve rule The Evanston Finance & Budget Committee voted Jan. 7 to recommend city council apply the maximum statutorily allowed Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT) to public safety pensions — reduced by 11.3% while the city’s potential library liability is unresolved — and formed a subcommittee to recommend the pension investment-rate assumption. A proposed policy on using excess reserves was tabled until February; members asked staff for detailed fund-balance reporting.

The Evanston Finance & Budget Committee is shaking things up by recommending a new approach to public safety pensions that could redefine the city's financial future!

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #PensionReform #EvanstonPublicSafety #FiscalTransparency #CommunityFinance

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2 months ago

Evanston council introduces revised short‑term rental ordinance after extended debate; several technical amendments adopted After hours of discussion, the council introduced an amended short‑term rental ordinance that tightens proximity and manager‑distance rules and adjusts the citywide ratio of short‑term units; the ordinance was introduced as amended and will return for final action.

Evanston City Council has made significant changes to short-term rental regulations, aiming to reshape the landscape of vacation rentals in the city.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CommunityDebate #LocalGovernance #HousingRegulations #CitizenPortal #EvanstonShortTermRentals

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2 months ago

Evanston council rejects $400,000 TIF grant for Choice Authentic restaurant after extended debate After hours of testimony from applicants and neighborhood supporters—and multiple failed amendments to reduce or restructure funding—the council voted 8–1 to deny a requested $400,000 TIF grant for the Choice Authentic restaurant at Dempster and Dodge.

Evanston's City Council ignited a heated debate before decisively voting against a $400,000 TIF grant for the community-focused Choice Authentic restaurant, leaving supporters and opponents divided.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CommunitySupport #EconomicDevelopment

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2 months ago

Evanston council accepts environmental equity investigation final report, urges action The Evanston City Council voted unanimously to accept the Environmental Equity Investigation final report, with staff and consultants presenting a four‑theme plan and councilmembers stressing the need to turn recommendations into funded implementation steps and measurable work plans.

Evanston's City Council just took a major step towards environmental equity, approving a comprehensive report that outlines community-driven actions for a sustainable future!

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CommunityEngagement #EvanstonEnvironmentalJustice #EquityInitiatives

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3 months ago

Evanston panel backs zoning amendment and special use to revive Hope Ignites home at 824 Gaffield Place The Land Use Commission voted 6-0 to recommend a zoning text amendment and a special use to allow Hope Ignites Chicago to operate an eight-girl child residential care home at 824 Gaffield Place, subject to two routine conditions; both measures will go to City Council for final action.

Evanston's Land Use Commission has given the green light for Hope Ignites Chicago to open an eight-girl residential care home, marking a significant step toward supporting youth in need.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CommunitySupport #YouthDevelopment #ZoningAmendment #CitizenPortal

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3 months ago

Evanston panel adopts hybrid method to set initial 2026 social‑service awards The Evanston Social Services Committee voted Dec. 4 to adopt a hybrid allocation method that removes a small number of lowest‑scoring applicants, prioritizes housing and shelter programs, and applies score‑weighted reductions to remaining requests to create modest reallocation funds for 2026 grants.

Evanston's Social Services Committee just adopted a new funding method that prioritizes housing and shelter, but tough decisions lie ahead as they navigate a flat budget and increased requests.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #CommunityDevelopment #HousingSupport #SocialJustice

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3 months ago

Preservation panel continues hearing on proposed demolition at historic Burnham site, schedules site visit After learning new archival evidence tying a small pavilion at 111 Burnham Place to Daniel Burnham, the commission heard preservation experts, neighbors, and the applicant. Commissioners agreed to a site visit and requested a condition/forensics assessment before resuming consideration; the case was continued to Jan. 20, 2026.

New archival evidence has emerged linking a historic 1909 pavilion to renowned architect Daniel Burnham, igniting passionate debates over its fate in Evanston.

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#EvanstonCookCounty #IL #EvanstonHistoricSites #CommunityInvolvement #CulturalPreservation #CitizenPortal