Latest news with #EvanstonCityCouncil
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Evanston City Council approves city manager's raise to $297,000
The Evanston City Council approved a raise for its city manager on April 28, making him one of the highest-paid municipal government employees in the state. Aldermen voted unanimously at Monday's City Council meeting to approve an 8% raise for City Manager Luke Stowe that boosted his annual base salary from $275,000 to $297,000, plus benefits all employees receive such as health insurance. That surpasses Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's salary of $221,000, though it's not the highest among suburban municipal executives. In Highland Park, the city manager earns a base salary of $300,000; in Wilmette, the village manager earns a salary of $305,000 and in Glenview, the village manager earns a salary of $309,000. Topping those is Lake Forest, where the city manager earns a salary of $323,000. Stowe was appointed to city manager by the City Council in August 2022, according to city documents. Then, his starting salary was $250,000, per previous reporting. The approved raise is retroactive to Stowe's hiring date anniversary in August. The council also approved a $6,000 increase in vehicle allowance for the year. In a memo from Mayor Daniel Biss to the City Council, Biss wrote that Stowe has not received a raise since October 2023. 'The City Council and I would like to thank Mr. Stowe for his service to the residents of Evanston and look forward to continuing to work with him in the future,' Biss wrote. Before the vote, 8th Ward City Councilmember Devon Reid thanked Stowe for taking charge of the office in a tumultuous time when he filled vacancies to critical positions. One of his hires includes Evanston's police chief, Schenita Stewart, who was recently named Illinois Police Chief of the Year by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. 'I truly appreciate your service and what you've done for the City to keep the ship gone straight,' he said.
Chicago Tribune
30-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Evanston City Council approves city manager's raise to $297,000
The Evanston City Council approved a raise for its city manager on April 28, making him one of the highest-paid municipal government employees in the state. Aldermen voted unanimously at Monday's City Council meeting to approve an 8% raise for City Manager Luke Stowe that boosted his annual base salary from $275,000 to $297,000, plus benefits all employees receive such as health insurance. That surpasses Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's salary of $221,000, though it's not the highest among suburban municipal executives. In Highland Park, the city manager earns a base salary of $300,000; in Wilmette, the village manager earns a salary of $305,000 and in Glenview, the village manager earns a salary of $309,000. Topping those is Lake Forest, where the city manager earns a salary of $323,000. Stowe was appointed to city manager by the City Council in August 2022, according to city documents. Then, his starting salary was $250,000, per previous reporting. The approved raise is retroactive to Stowe's hiring date anniversary in August. The council also approved a $6,000 increase in vehicle allowance for the year. In a memo from Mayor Daniel Biss to the City Council, Biss wrote that Stowe has not received a raise since October 2023. 'The City Council and I would like to thank Mr. Stowe for his service to the residents of Evanston and look forward to continuing to work with him in the future,' Biss wrote. Before the vote, 8th Ward City Councilmember Devon Reid thanked Stowe for taking charge of the office in a tumultuous time when he filled vacancies to critical positions. One of his hires includes Evanston's police chief, Schenita Stewart, who was recently named Illinois Police Chief of the Year by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. 'I truly appreciate your service and what you've done for the City to keep the ship gone straight,' he said.
Chicago Tribune
18-04-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Evanston OKs site for student-built affordable home over neighbors' objections
The Evanston City Council moved forward at its Monday meeting with plans for Evanston Township High School to place a student-built affordable single-family home in the 9th Ward. The sale of the city-owned vacant lot at 1222 Washington Street to the high school received heavy support from the council, earning an 8 to 1 vote approval. It also received support from 9th Ward residents, according to the ward's councilmember, Juan Geracaris, but not from the proposed site's closest neighbors, who showed up to Monday's meeting and pleaded with the council to preserve the land as a garden. Neighbors advocated for the land to be used as a green space for people to socialize and mingle in. St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Pope John XXIII School, Rice Education Center and the Lydia Home, a social services organization for children, are located on the same block. 'There are not a lot of us that live on this block, because there are all these institutions on the block,' said resident Chelsea Edward. '(The lot) is a legit green space, and it should stay that way. Don't cut down the trees.' 'The residents on our block truly believe that this property is much better suited to serve as a community space to use for educational purposes, relaxation and natural conservation,' said resident Heather Miller. Prior to 2022, the lot was bigger and housed Butcher Boy School of Music Production at 1224 Washington Street and a green space with grass and trees to the immediate east of it. The Land Use Commission approved a zoning variance to split the lot in half to create two lots: 1222 Washington Street and 1224 Washington Street. In February, the City Council approved the purchase of the vacant lot at 1222 Washington Street for $231,000 with the intent to sell the home to ETHS. Each year, the high school teaches a class titled Geometry in Construction where students learn math and construction skills to build a home to be sold at an affordable price to a family that earns less than 120% of the area median income, which for a family of four would be $134,000. The city also approved setting aside $100,000, should the property itself need work done on it before the house is installed. As the Council was deliberating its decision to approve the sale, councilmembers strongly supported the Geometry in Construction program that some saw as a defining institution within Evanston. 'I represent the whole 9th Ward, not just one block,' Geracaris said. 'Our city needs more affordable housing, and this house, while small, is bigger than just this moment. In 50 years, myself and these neighbors, who are wanting to stop this from happening, will likely be gone, but that house will still be there. It will still be affordable for whoever lives there.' 'One of the hardest parts of this job is how to handle disagreement,' he continued. 'A lot of times the easiest course of action is just to maintain the status quo… This is a thing that's really tempting when we consider our decisions that we have to make around how to use the limited land we have: zoning. It's a big topic right now. It's an important tool to stop bad and inappropriate things from happening. I think we all could agree that we don't want to live next to a garbage dump, but zoning and the related approval process like we've seen here tonight shouldn't be really used as a weapon to stop good things from happening. And putting off things is just one way to make sure it never gets done.' At the previous City Council meeting on March 31, Geracaris attempted to pass the sale of the lot, but needed unanimous support from the Council to pass it on introduction. His attempt failed after two votes. Councilmember Devon Reid (8th) called into question the legitimacy of the neighbors' concern that a home would not be appropriate at its proposed location. 'I am calling into question the genuineness of it, because what's stopping you from doing that now with the (community members) — invite them into your backyard… This is is just one of the things… that frustrates me about Evanston, about this NIMBY culture that can be pervasive here.' Between Reid's comments, critics of the proposed home in the audience tried to get a word in. Reid asserted he had control of the floor. Mayor Daniel Biss called for order in the chamber. Councilmember Krissie Harris (2nd) defended the Geometry in Construction program against critics who said the ETHS student-built home could lower their homes' property values. According to data from Cook County, the median single-family sale price in that neighborhood in 2024 was $760,000. 'When a new family gets there, I hope we treat them with respect and don't undignify them because they couldn't afford a $700,000 home,' Harris said. Councilmember Tom Suffredin (6th), the sole councilmember who voted against the lot sale to ETHS, did not speak publicly about the ETHS home when the Council was discussing it.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Evanston OKs site for student-built affordable home over neighbors' objections
The Evanston City Council moved forward at its Monday meeting with plans for Evanston Township High School to place a student-built affordable single-family home in the 9th Ward. The sale of the city-owned vacant lot at 1222 Washington Street to the high school received heavy support from the council, earning an 8 to 1 vote approval. It also received support from 9th Ward residents, according to the ward's councilmember, Juan Geracaris, but not from the proposed site's closest neighbors, who showed up to Monday's meeting and pleaded with the council to preserve the land as a garden. Neighbors advocated for the land to be used as a green space for people to socialize and mingle in. St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Pope John XXIII School, Rice Education Center and the Lydia Home, a social services organization for children, are located on the same block. 'There are not a lot of us that live on this block, because there are all these institutions on the block,' said resident Chelsea Edward. '(The lot) is a legit green space, and it should stay that way. Don't cut down the trees.' 'The residents on our block truly believe that this property is much better suited to serve as a community space to use for educational purposes, relaxation and natural conservation,' said resident Heather Miller. Prior to 2022, the lot was bigger and housed Butcher Boy School of Music Production at 1224 Washington Street and a green space with grass and trees to the immediate east of it. The Land Use Commission approved a zoning variance to split the lot in half to create two lots: 1222 Washington Street and 1224 Washington Street. In February, the City Council approved the purchase of the vacant lot at 1222 Washington Street for $231,000 with the intent to sell the home to ETHS. Each year, the high school teaches a class titled Geometry in Construction where students learn math and construction skills to build a home to be sold at an affordable price to a family that earns less than 120% of the area median income, which for a family of four would be $134,000. The city also approved setting aside $100,000, should the property itself need work done on it before the house is installed. As the Council was deliberating its decision to approve the sale, councilmembers strongly supported the Geometry in Construction program that some saw as a defining institution within Evanston. 'I represent the whole 9th Ward, not just one block,' Geracaris said. 'Our city needs more affordable housing, and this house, while small, is bigger than just this moment. In 50 years, myself and these neighbors, who are wanting to stop this from happening, will likely be gone, but that house will still be there. It will still be affordable for whoever lives there.' 'One of the hardest parts of this job is how to handle disagreement,' he continued. 'A lot of times the easiest course of action is just to maintain the status quo… This is a thing that's really tempting when we consider our decisions that we have to make around how to use the limited land we have: zoning. It's a big topic right now. It's an important tool to stop bad and inappropriate things from happening. I think we all could agree that we don't want to live next to a garbage dump, but zoning and the related approval process like we've seen here tonight shouldn't be really used as a weapon to stop good things from happening. And putting off things is just one way to make sure it never gets done.' At the previous City Council meeting on March 31, Geracaris attempted to pass the sale of the lot, but needed unanimous support from the Council to pass it on introduction. His attempt failed after two votes. Councilmember Devon Reid (8th) called into question the legitimacy of the neighbors' concern that a home would not be appropriate at its proposed location. 'I am calling into question the genuineness of it, because what's stopping you from doing that now with the (community members) — invite them into your backyard… This is is just one of the things… that frustrates me about Evanston, about this NIMBY culture that can be pervasive here.' Between Reid's comments, critics of the proposed home in the audience tried to get a word in. Reid asserted he had control of the floor. Mayor Daniel Biss called for order in the chamber. Councilmember Krissie Harris (2nd) defended the Geometry in Construction program against critics who said the ETHS student-built home could lower their homes' property values. According to data from Cook County, the median single-family sale price in that neighborhood in 2024 was $760,000. 'When a new family gets there, I hope we treat them with respect and don't undignify them because they couldn't afford a $700,000 home,' Harris said. Councilmember Tom Suffredin (6th), the sole councilmember who voted against the lot sale to ETHS, did not speak publicly about the ETHS home when the Council was discussing it.
Chicago Tribune
24-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Evanston OKs Illinois' first ordinance requiring some buildings to run on renewable energy
The Evanston City Council last week took a historic step as it adopted an ordinance, the first such ordinance in Illinois, aimed at significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions created by large buildings. Aldermen on March 10 voted 7-1 to pass the Healthy Buildings Ordinance, or HBO. The ordinance calls for buildings over 20,000 square feet —and municipal buildings over 10,000 square feet — to be powered by renewable electricity and create zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The ordinance will apply to nearly 500 apartment and commercial buildings in Evanston. Condominium buildings under 50,000 square feet and co-op buildings would be excluded from the requirements of the ordinance. The ordinance's key targets are creating energy efficiency and renewable electricity while eliminating on-site emissions, city leaders say. 'This was a collaborative effort among City Council members, staff, and numerous community partners to find common ground on achieving our sustainability goals,' Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss said in a statement issued by the city. 'We are taking a monumental step toward a more sustainable Evanston.' Illinois Green Alliance, a Chicago-based nonprofit promoting sustainable and green building initiatives, applauded the adoption of the Healthy Buildings Ordinance in a statement issued shortly after the March 10 vote. 'The Healthy Buildings Ordinance is not only a first for Illinois, it is an important step towards our vision to decarbonize every building in Illinois,' said Brian Imus, executive director of Illinois Green Alliance, in the statement. Jack Jordan, executive director of Climate Action Evanston, called the HBO an 'absolutely necessary step' for the city to reach already established climate action goals. 'The largest 500 buildings in Evanston account for approximately half of our community emissions, and this mandate allows us to rein in these emissions over the next 25 years,' Jordan said. 'While Evanston is the first community in Illinois to pass a building performance standard, we cannot be the last. Other communities with climate goals, including Chicago, which recently published a climate action plan in 2022, must pass similar standards if they are serious about their climate commitments.' Ryan Wilmington, policy and communications associate for Illinois Green Alliance, said the ordinance will result in a 'dramatic reduction' in greenhouse gases and pollution. 'Evanston's new policies show that local leaders have the power to make their communities healthier, more affordable, and more sustainable,' he added. 'It's a great model for other Illinois municipalities to follow.' The process is not yet complete, however. The next step will be to create rules and standards that building owners will need to meet. These will be developed by a Healthy Buildings Accountability Board and a Healthy Buildings Technical Committee. The Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance, the Chicagoland Apartment Association, and the Building Owners and Managers Association will nominate three members of the technical committee, according to amendments approved by the Council. Additionally, the Accountability Board will be required to report annually to the City Council on the impact the ordinance has had on residential and commercial affordability. Building owners unable to meet the parameters of the ordinance can submit a plan for alternative compliance, the city said. Some aldermen noted that there is much to be clarified during the rule-making process. Eighth Ward Ald. Devon Reid expressed concerns of potential legal challenges with portions of the ordinance as it stands, while 5th Ward Ald. Bobby Burns stressed that the ordinance will not be enforceable until after the series of rules are adopted by the City Council. 'What I'm still hearing is people are kind of assuming the worst,' Burns said. 'They are jumping way ahead of the process and assuming this will be applied in the most destructive and disruptive way possible. And I don't think that's fair.' Some building owners who would be impacted by the ordinance again expressed concerns and objections prior to the council's vote. Eric Paset, owner of North Shore Apartments and Condos, Inc., suggested that real estate could suffer under the ordinance as buyers will go elsewhere. 'It's going to affect tenants; the rents are going to be raised,' Paset added. Peter O'Brien, an Evanston resident and commercial property owner, said it may be difficult for building owners to work with ComEd on conversions, based on his own, current experience, and said the ordinance will give the energy company 'an extremely valuable, complete energy distribution monopoly in Evanston.' First Ward Ald. Clare Kelly cast the only 'no' vote against the ordinance, saying there is 'so much more we should be doing immediately.' 'I feel like this (ordinance) has been a deterrent to moving more quickly to improve air quality right now,' she said.
