The previous version of this story incorrectly dated The Daily Northwestern interview as 2018. We regret the error. The Daily Northwestern's February 2019 interview with Ald. Don Wilson reported that "since January 2016, the City has held 31 public meetings,...
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BUDGET & SPENDING
Evanston Failed Minimum Required Notice for $85M Bond Sale
Evanston fell substantially short of its required public notice for its June 25 hearing to sell up to $85 million of its general obligation bonds. To date, the City has issued $52.5 million of those bonds, pledging to repay the...
PLANNING & ZONING
Decision Awaits on Controversial Sale of Library Parking Lot
Evanston City Council voted to table the decision regarding a major office building development until March 18, or the next meeting in which full Council is present. The site, at 1714-1720 Chicago Ave., between Church and Clark Streets, currently functions...
BUDGET & SPENDING
First LOI released: Robert Crown as “Home of Beacon Academy Wolves”
The City has made its first public release of a private funding term sheet for the new Robert Crown Center. The agreement, between local private school Beacon Academy and Friends of Crown, offers the first glimpse funding contingencies built into...
FOIA Requests, NEWS
City of Evanston bypassing FOIA laws, FOIA officer
The City of Evanston has been in recurrent violation of Freedom of Information Act mandates. The noncompliance was disclosed, somewhat ironically, through FOIA itself. In examining almost 1200 online FOIA requests to the City of Evanston, at least half were...
CITY COUNCIL
Council Meeting Agenda Brief for Monday, Feb. 25
6pm: Administration & Public Works Committee Followed by City Council meeting Cancelled: Planning & Development Committee SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS (SP1) Amend City Code Title 7, “Public Ways” to include police powers to Director of Public Works. For Action (SP2) Amend...
BUDGET & SPENDING
What you Missed from Mayor’s Town Hall
Contaminated water, lack of current infrastructure funding and affordable housing plans, future of Harley Clarke, free beach pilot plan and parking meters: a recap of Mayor Hagerty's Town Hall. Skip to: James Park Water Contamination Case | Affordable Housing | Robert Crown Project | Harley Clarke | Free NU...
BUDGET & SPENDING
Unicorns and Fiscal Gaps: Recap of Robert Crown Meeting
When City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz first recommended Robert Crown's new construction back in 2009, he suggested it was feasible to expect it could be done with no money to the City. Left, Bobkiewicz recommendation; Right, Ald. Wilson response As...
BUDGET & SPENDING
City to Host Meeting Wednesday on Robert Crown Community Center
Updated Feb. 17, 2019 The City is hosting a community meeting this Wednesday, February 13, 2019 to discuss concerns regarding the Robert Crown project's escalating costs ($53.3 million), debt service ($80-90 million, depending on bonds issued this year) and controversial private deals...
BUDGET & SPENDING, NEWS
Evanston’s Financing for $90 million+ Robert Crown Project & Debt Costs
The City of Evanston's will have to maneuver its budget over the next 25 years to account for the $91.1 financed price tag for the new Robert Crown Center's $53.3 million construction and almost $37.8 million debt service costs. The...