EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz today announced the appointment of Luke Stowe as Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the City of Evanston. Stowe has been serving as the interim Information Technology Division Manager since August, has served as Digital Services Manager since March, and before that served as the City’s Digital Services Coordinator beginning in 2012. Stowe will lead a newly consolidated team comprised of the Information Technology (IT) and Digital Services Divisions, and will work to ensure the City of Evanston remains a leader in civic technology.

During his tenure in Evanston, Stowe has worked on numerous technology and community engagement projects related to the City website, social media, open data and 311 services. His most recent focus has been on the City’s newly revamped website (coming soon), transition to Google for City employees' email and calendars, significant upgrades to the City's network and infrastructure, recent enhancements to the police and fire department's computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, and a new version of the City's open data portal launching at the end of October.

Stowe brings more than 15 years of government technology experience, including related roles at Champaign and Lake County governments. Stowe serves on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Social Media Working Group for Emergency Services and Disaster Management and is also a contributor to Government Technology magazine.

Thanks in large part to his vision and hard work, Evanston has been honored with awards in technology, digital citizen engagement and website transparency. Recent honors include the Public Technology Institute’s Tech Savvy City, Web 2.0 and Citizen-Engaged Community awards, recognition as a Top 10 Digital City by the Center for Digital Government, and website transparency awards from the Illinois Policy Institute and Sunshine Review.

"Luke Stowe is the right person to lead the City’s IT and digital initiatives as we further expand our efforts on open data, smart City applications and public safety technology," said Bobkiewicz. "His ability to collaborate, think broadly and connect technology with people and services will help improve the way the City interacts with residents, visitors and businesses alike for years to come. Please join me in congratulating Luke on this new position as Evanston’s CIO."

For more information, please call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may simply dial 3-1-1 in Evanston.