A resolution pending for tonight's Council meeting injects new challenges to the City’s ability to release public records under the Freedom of Information Act. The amendment, proposed in a memo by Mayor Steve Hagerty, largely shifts FOIA authority from the...
Category: RESIDENT ADVOCACY
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, CITY OF EVANSTON, NEWS, RESIDENT ADVOCACY
Video: Harley Clarke Interior & Grounds
Harley Clarke has been off limits to the public since the Evanston Arts Center vacated the City-owned property in 2015. The City's Preservation Commission was allowed to tour the grounds on Oct. 20, 2018, in preparation for its consideration of...
CITY COUNCIL, RESIDENT ADVOCACY, Speech & Protest
Evanston City Council Further Restricts Public Comment
Update: Council will vote Monday, February 11, 2019 to prohibit ceding time in public comment (O1) Resolution 12-R-19, Amending City Council Rules and Organization of the City Council Section 6 “Citizen Participation” The Rules Committee recommends that the City Council adopt...
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...
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...