News Posted in: October 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Twenty-five Illinois companies and organizations have been honored for their significant achievements in protecting the environment, helping sustain the future, and improving the economy. The 2011 award winners include the City of Evanston. The Governor's Sustainability Awards were presented by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) during a luncheon in Champaign. ISTC is a unit of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois. Since 1987, ISTC has presented Governors awards to organizations in Illinois that have demonstrated a…
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On October 28, 2011 U.S. Senator Richard Durbin toured part of Evanston’s Eighth Ward to view progress on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 program, the $18.15 million grant award the Senator helped the city secure to stabilize portions of west and south Evanston that have been hardest hit by foreclosures, and generate economic opportunities for local residents and businesses. The Senator visited two foreclosed properties on Callan and Custer Avenues that are part of that program. The properties are located…
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Alley/Street Closures for Crane Removal at Mather Alley demolition, underground utilities, paving, and tower crane dismantlement are expected to take place on October 31st. The alley will be closed for approximately one month. Davis St. will be fully closed from Judson to Hinman for one full week. The south alley entrance off of Grove Street will remain accessible to all vehicular traffic. The stages of the closures are described below. Please reference specific closure arrangements relative to dates. Stage 1…
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Thursday, October 27, 2011
Evanston Children's Theatre will perform "Sherlock Holmes," a highly-entertaining adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famed detective story, from November 11-13. Performances will take place at the Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave., Evanston. Shows will be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11; at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12; and at 3:00 pm. on Sunday, Nov. 13. Admission is $6.00. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Levy Senior Center or at the door.…
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As part of the Evanston (CTA Purple Line) Viaduct Replacement Project, work will be begin on October 31 that will affect the Dempster St. viaduct between Sherman Ave. and Sherman Pl. as part of the work on the $10.3 million contract to replace the Purple Line viaducts at Grove, Dempster and Greenleaf Streets in Evanston as well as repair the retaining wall along Chicago Avenue from Greenleaf to Hamilton. While progress sometimes comes with inconveniences, workers will do their best to keep them to…
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Posted in Seniors, Snow, Volunteer
Those Seeking Help and Volunteers are Encouraged to Sign-up Now The City of Evanston’s Senior & Disabled Persons Snow Shoveling program connects residents with volunteers who are willing to provide snow shoveling services. Volunteers will be needed for the entire winter 2011-12 snow season. Evanston residents often request assistance during harsh winters for snow shoveling and by residents providing their contact information to the program list, Evanston residents can be provided with a complete list of available volunteers in their…
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The Evanston Police Department is embarking on an eight hour virtual ride-along for Twitter followers of the City of Evanston. Directly from the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center, almost all emergency calls will be tweeted on Friday, November 4, 2011 from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm. This will serve as an educational opportunity for the community to get an understanding of the quantity and nature of the calls received by the 9-1-1 Center. “With this project we hope to help citizens get a glimpse into…
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The annual Fall Flea Market will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St., Evanston. Anticipated bargains include sporting equipment, household goods, jewelry, and books. Be "green" while you save money! It's better for the planet to reuse items, rather than always purchasing new items. Admission is free (no early birds, please). Proceeds from table rentals benefit the Robert Crown Center Advisory Board. For more information, please call (847) 448-8258. …
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The City of Evanston is seeking public input through November 1, 2011on its Amendment to to its Community Development Block Grant-Recovery (CDBG-R) plan. The city received $523,828 in CDBG-R funds as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These funds were distributed on a formula basis to CDBG entitlement communities. Eligible uses of funds are based on CDBG regulations, with emphasis put on shovel ready public works projects that would be underway within 120 days. Click here to…
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Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl traveled to Springfield Wednesday, October 26th to lobby legislators during the General Assembly's Fall Veto Session. Tisdahl was part of a delegation of northwest suburban Mayors and Council Members from the Northwest Municipal Conference. The Conference is the Council of Governments representing forty-two cities and villages in northwest Illinois. The primary focus of the trip was to advocate for improved storm response and other services from ComEd as it works to secure broader legislation for the implementation of…
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Wednesday, October 26, 2011
On October 25, 2011, The Evanston Police Department's Traffic Management Bureau received national recognition for their traffic safety and enforcement initiatives. This recognition was received from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The award was received in conjunction with the association’s annual conference. Evanston’s first place finish in the Law Enforcement Challenge earned them a new police equipped 2012 Ford Expedition EL. The IACP and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration believe that an increase in traffic enforcement and education…
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The First Annual Evanston Flying Turkey 5k will take runners and walkers around a beautiful course that highlights Evanston's lakefront and Northwestern University's campus. The event will take place at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 24, 2011. The starting area is the corner of Church and Sheridan. The Flying Turkey 5K is an event for all ages and a great way to start off the Thanksgiving holiday. The registration fee before November 1st is $30. After November 1st, the fee…
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Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Answers to questions raised at last City Council budget workshop can be found here (PDF). The next City Council budget workshop is Saturday at 9 AM in the City Council Chambers.…
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At the October 24th City Council meeting the Evanston Environment Board presented their recommendations for a bag reduction ordinance for the city. The board gave their independent review of information they had received and offered strategies to reduce the environmental impact of bags in Evanston. They presented their preliminary recommendations and received feedback from the council. No formal ordinance was developed. The Environment Board presented a fee based plan which would instill a five cent fee on paper and plastic…
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(I) Roll Call – Begin with Alderman Wynne ALL ALDERMEN PRESENT (II) Mayor Public Announcements Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony, November 11, 2011 (III) City Manager Public Announcements Donation of Roller Skates to Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department from Samuel McKinley, Jr. of Best Taxi (IV) Communications: City Clerk (V) Citizen Comment • Citizen upset by gangway repair without their consent under the 50/50 sidewalk program. Question the selection of Schroeder & Schroeder. • 3 individuals and 2 citizens…
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Friday, October 21, 2011
1. Township Board is meeting to discuss next steps in possible dissolution of Township. Staff is proposing that we be directed to draft a ballot proposition for the March 20, 2012 general election for dissolution while continuing to work in Springfield on clarifying issues if General Aid administration. If Board agrees, Township Attorney will return with proposed ballot language in early December. 2. Discussion of Disposable Bag Issue and recommendation of Environment Board for 5 cent tax on plastic bags.…
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Thursday, October 20, 2011
Have your holiday lights lost their twinkle? Keep those strings of holiday lights out of the garbage and recycle them this year. The City of Evanston is partnering with the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County and Elgin Recycling to provide holiday light recycling again this year. Holiday lights can be dropped off for recycling at the Evanston Ecology Center, the Evanston Main Library, and the Levy Senior Center. Holiday lights that will be accepted for this program are:…
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The Evanston Public Library’s digital book collection is now compatible with the Amazon Kindle, a long-anticipated feature that allows Library users the ability to borrow eBooks using Kindle devices and Kindle apps on iPhone, iPad, Android, and other mobile devices. These FREE Kindle eBooks can be easily accessed through the Library’s digital books catalog, My Media Mall, at www.mymediamall.net. Library user Elizabeth DeCoster said, “Thanks for your straightforward directions regarding downloading materials from My Media Mall to my Kindle. I…
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In July 2011, the Chicago Transit Authority Board approved a $10.3 million contract to replace the Purple Line viaducts at Grove, Dempster and Greenleaf Streets in Evanston as well as to repair retaining walls along Chicago Avenue. Learn more about the project at www.cityofevanston.org/purpleline. Work started on the retaining wall along Chicago Ave. in September and was originally expected to be completed October 23. Unfortunately, the retaining wall had deteriorated far beyond what the original contract has shown. Therefore, the…
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The City of Evanston is expanding its tree donation program to provide more opportunities for people to keep Evanston a thriving Tree City USA. There are now three different ways to give a “green gift” that keeps growing. Donations may be directed to plant a new tree; dedicate an existing tree as a special gift or memorial; or support the city’s new Urban Reforestation Fund. A new tree can be planted in any Evanston park for a donation of $600.…
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The Inaugural Chiefs’ Luncheon, presented by the Evanston Police and Fire Foundation will be held on Thursday, November 10. “I am excited about the upcoming Inaugural Chiefs’ Luncheon. The luncheon will afford me an opportunity to meet members of our community, while at the same time raise funds for the Evanston Police and Fire Foundation,” said Chief Klaiber of the Evanston Fire and Life Safety Services. “The Fire chief and I are looking forward to engaging the public in a…
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Over 500 community members weighed in on the top 100 ideas during a series of seven public voting sessions held at the Century Cinema, Evanston Township High School and Saint Francis Hospital. The 100 ideas up for vote were selected by a 21-member volunteer selection jury from a pool of over 2,000 ideas submitted to the Evanston150 initiative by the public between March and July of 2011. It was gratifying to see the wide range of Evanstonians who turned out…
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The City of Evanston recently adopted the use of a mobile application, See-Click-Fix, that allows residents to communicate with the city "on the fly" as they are out and about in the community. See-Click-Fix is an online tool that interfaces with smart phones and has Twitter and Facebook integration abilities to allow residents to connect with their local government to report non-emergency neighborhood issues. This could include pot holes, graffiti, non-functioning traffic signals, garbage dumping, fallen trees in the right-of-way, etc.…
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The City of Evanston announced today that the bulk of the ongoing parking garage repairs to the Church Street Garage, Maple Avenue Garage and Sherman Plaza Garage are expected to be completed before the 2011 holiday season begins. The majority of the repairs to Church Street Garage, Maple Avenue Garage and Sherman Plaza Garage are anticipated to be finished by November 15th, 2011 in advance of the holiday shopping season. After November 15th, the remaining repairs…
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Wednesday, October 19, 2011
The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a high wind warning for today, October 19 from 3 p.m. until Thursday, October 20 at 10 a.m. Winds will be north to northeast at 40 to 45 MPH with gusts up to 60 MPH with strongest winds being over areas adjacent to Lake Michigan. Additionally, the National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for today, October 19 from 3 p.m. until Thursday, October 20 at 4 p.m. Waves will build…
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Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Lakeside Community Development Corporation will be hosting a seminar for condominium owners entitled, "The 4 Cs: Association Board Basics." This is an introductory course to the concept of condominium ownership. It teaches the basic rights and responsibilities of condominium owners and how to build a sense of community, while establishing a consistent communication systems and avoiding conflict in a condominium association. The seminar will cover the following topics: Understanding of Governing Documents; Basic of Board Operations; Establishing a Sense of…
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Monday, October 17, 2011
(I) Roll Call – Begin with Alderman Braithwaite • All Aldermen present (II) Mayor Public Announcements and Proclamations End Polio: Rotary World Polio Day (III) City Manager Presentations and Announcements Donation to Evanston Police Department of a T-3 Vehicle by David Cherry Tree Donation Program Day in the Life of Evanston: A Photo Story, October 22, 2011 (IV) Citizen Comment • Three citizens appeared in support of charging for plastic bags • Citizen opposed to increased taxes, fees, and debt…
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October 23rd through October 29th is Lead Poisoning Prevention Awareness Week. The Evanston Health Department is encouraging the parents of children between the ages of six months through six years to have the child’s blood lead level tested. Every year, Evanston children are unknowingly being exposed to lead and are suffering long-term consequences. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, exposure to lead in children has been linked to “behavior problems, learning disorders, diminished I.Q., fatigue, hyperactivity, hearing problems and, in…
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Friday, October 14, 2011
The City of Evanston, in conjunction with Northwestern University and Chicago Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR), will be co-sponsoring a lecture and panel discussion highlighting the importance of public health departments keeping all residents healthy. On October 23, award-winning science writer and Northwestern alumna Maryn McKenna, author of "Superbug: The Fatal Menace of MRSA," will lead a discussion entitled "Contagion: From Fiction to Public Health Policy." She will be joined by panelists from the Evanston Health Department and from local hospitals to discuss planning…
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Local business owners and people with an interest in starting a new company are invited to attend the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) Business Development Seminar presented by the City of Evanston and SCORE Evanston. The seminar will be held November 10th in the Council meeting room at the Morton Civic Center at 2100 Ridge Ave in Evanston. The seminar will offer information and resources to help attendees further develop their business plans and perfect a marketing strategy. The…
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Thursday, October 13, 2011
Planning for I-Go’s solar canopy and charging stations will be advancing after City Council recently approved the location for two stations. Lot 3 (at the Main Library) and Lot 32 (Hinman Ave, south of Main St.) were chosen as the locations where I-Go will be installing solar canopies and electric vehicle charging stations for its new cars. “The next step is for I-Go to move forward with putting together detailed plans that they would then show to the engineering department…
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The City of Evanston has received a $792,000 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Grant for traffic signal modernization along Dempster St. The grant is part of $411 million in federal transportation programs granted to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to support the GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan's goals for reducing congestion and improving air quality in the metropolitan area. GO TO 2040 is the comprehensive regional plan to help the seven counties and 284 communities…
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The Pankey Institute, in partnership with the Evanston Health Department and Northfield Community Church, will be offering free dental services (adult and pediatric) on October 21 and 22 at the Levy Senior Center located at 300 Dodge Ave. Dental professionals will be volunteering their time to offer these services to approximately 100 patients over the two day period. Walk-ins are welcome and services will be offered on a first come first served basis. Dental service hours are: 9am – 5pm, Friday…
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Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The City of Evanston is currently establishing contracts for emergency snow towing for the 2011-12 winter season. Occasionally the city has the need for additional assistance during heavier than usual snow events for tow trucks to either relocate or tow away vehicles. If interested individuals or businesses have a tow truck and are interested in participating in this program, please contact the City of Evanston at 847/866-2935 for more information or stop by the Purchasing Office in Room 4200 of…
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For more than 50 years, The Second City has been the heart and soul of Chicago comedy. Now some of the country's most skilled comedians make their way up to Evanston for a Wildcat-centric revue. Presented by the Theatre and Interpretation Center at Northwestern University in partnership with the Office of Alumni and Development, Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, this no-holds-barred comedic event will satirize everything purple through sketch comedy, songs and improvisation. No Northwestern tradition is safe! There will be…
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Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Citizen Comment • Citizen supports construction of I-Go solar canopies and hopes to see signage of the installation as it relates to the City of Evanston’s Climate Action Plan • Five citizens appeared in opposition to Central St. as proposed due to differences from its façade as originally proposed • Citizens objected to previous treatment by City Council and plan on pursuing litigation against three of the Aldermen CONSENT AGENDA (M1) Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting…
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Monday, October 10, 2011
Posted in Economic Development, levy
The Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti and the Haitian Diaspora Federation cordially invite you to a Town Hall meeting with U.S. Department of State, Haiti Special Coordinator, Mr. Thomas Adams and Elizabeth Hogan, Senior Foreign Service Officer, USAID who will speak on the US government's strategy in Haiti and the rebuilding process. As Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste, former Evanston Alderman and former Chair of the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti, states: "The Evanston, North Shore and the entire Chicago communities immediately…
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Friday, October 7, 2011
The City of Evanston’s annual firewood sale for winter 2011-12 begins on Saturday, November 5. You may purchase firewood at 2310 Oakton St. (between the Recycling Center and the Animal Shelter). Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays through the end of February, or until supplies are exhausted. Firewood will not be available on Sat., Dec. 24. Prices are: $30 per 1/8 face cord; $50 per 1/4 face cord; $80 per 1/2 face cord or $150 per full-face…
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On Friday, October 7, the City of Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz released the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2012, which runs from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. The total proposed budget for FY2012 is $251,378,096 which includes all funds and interfund transfer expenses. When interfund transfers are excluded from this calculation, the total budget for all funds is $218,478,697. The General Fund budget is projected to have $85,013,206 in revenues and $87,436,000 in expenditures, which produces a deficit…
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Need a job? Don’t miss YJC’s Fall Job Fair Thursday, October 13, from 1-4 PM at the Evanston Public Library, located at 1703 Orrington Ave. (right off the Davis purple line and Metra stops; at the intersection of Church and Orrington). The event will feature over twenty local employers with retail and hospitality positions. The job fair is open to all job-seekers 16 and up. The event will end promptly at 4 PM. All interested job-seekers should arrive by 3:30…
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Shocked by your phone or utility bill? Learn how you can keep them under contraol by attending a phone and utility bill clinic on October 12 hosted by State Representative Robyn Gabel and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB). The clinic could help consumers cut their billing costs by hundreds of dollars a year. A CUB study has estimated that Illinois callers could be overpaying by more than $1 billion a year—but most could enjoy big savings by making a few simple…
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Posted in Fleetwood-Jourdain, kids
New Roller Skating Program at Community Centers Evanston children, youth, teens and adults of all ages now can participate in a new, fun activity: roller skating! Starting October 7, roller skating will be offered at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, Chandler-Newberger Community Center and Levy Senior Center. Admission fees for Evanston residents are $1.00 for youth and $3.00 for adults (age 18+). Participants are allowed to bring their own roller skates, if compatible with the floor surface, helmets and pads. The youth…
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
What is a day in the life of Evanston? Local shutterbugs, professional and amateur photographers alike are invited to help capture the beauty of Evanston across all spectrums on a fall day. The fall session of "Day in the Life of Evanston: A Photo Story" will be held on October 22 from 12 a.m. to 12 p.m. The city hopes to capture Evanston through the seasons by holding a quarterly “photo day.” Photographers of all ages and expertise levels can…
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Learn how to Save Energy and Money at Home Evanston Green Drinks – October 11, 2011 Citizens’ Greener Evanston Community Education Committee is hosting all community members and interested people to attend its October Green Drinks Event on October 11th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Firehouse Grill, 750 Chicago Avenue, Evanston - 2nd Floor. This free event features practical ways to save energy and money at home through weatherization initiatives in existing housing and energy efficiency measures…
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Illinois workNet is pleased to announce a free job fair for the Northern Cook County area. Job seekers and employers are encouraged to attend on Monday, October 10th at Niles West High School in Skokie from 10:00AM to 1:00PM. Job seekers should be professionally dressed, equipped with resumes and ready for interviews as some employers may make immediate job offers. There will be over 60 businesses represented at the job fair, including: ACT Training Accurate Personnel Advocate Health Aerotek Allied…
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The CTA Purple Line Viaduct project will be starting soon, on October 4th residents were informed of the details surrounding the project in a joint meeting held by Alderman Melissa Wynn of the 3rd Ward and Don Wilson of the 4th ward. The Chicago Transit Authority will be replacing three viaducts and repairing a retaining wall. The meeting was in concert with the CTA and Kiewit Infrastructure Group, the contractor working to complete this critical project. Paul Schneider, Director of…
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The City of Evanston recently mailed out to residents 2012 Animal Registration forms with their 2012 Vehicle Sticker renewal forms. Payment for 2012 Animal Registration can be made starting in October of 2011. The City of Evanston pet license, for cats and dogs, is issued on a fiscal year basis. By City Ordinance, all dogs and cats are required to have pet licenses. The biggest benefit of registering a pet with the City of Evanston is the increased chance of being…
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Water will be shut off today at 9:00 am for 4 hours to replace a fire hydrant at: 100 block of Burnham Place.…
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Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Posted in community, halloween, kids
It’s the season for tricks and treats, candy and costumes, and pumpkins and pumpkin pie. The closer we get to Halloween, the more events will be popping up all over town! This year your family can enjoy everything from a Fall Fest at the Farmers’ Market to a free Halloween Skate Party! Check out information for all of the events below and review the safety tips brought to you by the City of Evanston. Bug-a-Boo Halloween Walk Oct. 22 This…
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Monday, October 3, 2011
Posted in community, resident
A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster Avenue. Evanston, IL 60201. The meeting will be accessible to persons with disabilities. Emerson Square, which calls for the redevelopment of an underutilized industrial site, as first conceived under the West Evanston Master Plan, is the second component of the City’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP2). The development, as currently proposed, will create approximately 30 units…
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