Join UIC Greater Cities Institute’s Thea Crum and Chicago Ald. Leslie Perkins as they discuss the Participatory Budgeting process, and it’s use in cities across Illinois and the U.S. Participatory Budgeting allows residents to democratically direct municipal spending.
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Speech & Protest
Understanding your Rights to Free Speech
Freedom of Speech is a founding constitutional principal. As Americans, we have the legal right to express any opinions freely, without censorship or restraint. The First Amendment doesn't just guarantee our rights to free speech, it also includes: Right not...
Ballot Initiatives, Resident Advocacy
Evanston Voters: How to get a Question on the Ballot
Illinois is one of 24 states that allow voters to initiate legislation through a petition. When done properly, these “Questions of Public Policy” then become referenda questions on our election ballots. The questions can be for the entire City, a single...
News, Open Meetings Act, Resident Advocacy
Your Rights to Open Public Meetings in Evanston
Illinois public policy is that the City government exists to help conduct the people’s business, and that the people have a right to be informed of that business. As such, City actions must be considered and taken with very specific,...
Resident Advocacy
Get Involved! Evanston BCC Summit
Join City Clerk Devon Reid on July 17th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Civic Center's Parasol Room (2100 Ridge Ave.) to meet with Evanston Board, Commission and Committee members to discuss the work they do and how you as an...
City of Evanston, News
Where Evanston Lacks Due Process for Residents
Due process comes in two flavors, both of which are intended to balance government powers and protect individuals from unjust actions. Procedural due process focuses on a timely and impartial adjudication process. Substantive due process is the principle empowering courts...
FOIA Requests, Resident Advocacy
How to Make a FOIA Request to the City of Evanston
Illinois policy is that everyone is entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of City government, and the policies and actions of public officials and City staff. The City government is required to operate openly and provide records...
News, Resident Advocacy
Now Open: City’s Online Public Comment
The Evanston Clerk's Office has rolled out the City's first online public comment portal. Click to go to City of Evanston's Newly Launched Public Comment Online Portal Before today, anyone who wanted to address City Council through public comment had...
Board of Ethics, City Council, City of Evanston, Environmental Justice, Management, News, Planning & Zoning Division
Where Are Evanston’s Separation of Powers?
While our eyes are glued to who Trump’s Supreme Court nominee will be, and the latest on the Robert Mueller-Trump probe, I urge Evanstonians to cast a glance as Evanston acts out the same events on a smaller stage. Particularly...
Board of Ethics, News
Ethics Board Lacked Quorum for Alderperson’s June Hearing
The term of one of the members of the Evanston Board of Ethics expired just prior to the June 19 hearing concerning an alderperson’s receipt and participation of the City’s grant funding to her employer. See Evanston Live TV hearing...