Along with melting snow, rainy skies, and inevitably muddy shoes, spring also brings opportunities—opportunities to clear the clutter from storage closets, basements and garages; opportunities to line up a great summer job; and even opportunities to venture outside without wearing a bulky winter coat, at least every once in a while.
But one of my favorite spring opportunities comes in early March, when I’m asked to deliver the State of the City Address. The annual event, hosted by the Evanston Chamber of Commerce, provides me with an occasion to celebrate our City’s collective achievements, identify challenges, and set goals for the year ahead. That sure beats cleaning out my garage.
The theme of this year’s event, which coincided with International Women’s Day, wasn’t opportunity, it was progress, but those two words go hand in hand. With 100+ women leaders in attendance and centerpieces featuring our City’s three previous mayors—Mayor Joan Barr, Mayor Lorraine Morton, and Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl—who together served our community for 32 consecutive years, it was clear that progress isn't just something Evanston aspires to, it's a part of our DNA.
Thanks to the support of so many individuals and organizations in our wonderful city, Evanston continued to make progress in 2018. Our Fire Department achieved a Class 1 fire protection rating, placing it in the top 1 percent of departments nationwide. Major crimes were down 40 percent compared to 2008, translating into 1,000 fewer crime victims. We took bold action on climate change, becoming the first Illinois city to target 100 percent renewable electricity. New developments ascended into the Evanston skyline, eventually bringing 1,000 new residents to support our tax base. An Affordable Housing Plan Steering Committee was initiated to help us develop a more comprehensive affordable housing strategy, including how best to allocate affordable housing funds.
As winter snow dissolves into spring puddles, I look forward to continuing to work together to address our city's challenges, seize opportunities, and make progress in Evanston in 2019. After all, it's in our DNA.
Thank you to the Evanston Chamber of Commerce for hosting the 2019 State of the City Luncheon, providing an opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate our collective achievements and reaffirm our commitment to working hard to solve our challenges. Read my remarks or click below to watch video of the speech.
2018 Annual Report
The City's Annual Report provides highlights from 2018 as well as goals for the year ahead. Thank you to the many individuals and organizations who contributed to last year's accomplishments.
In the Community
Today Is Women In Public Office Day
March 19 is Women In Public Office Day! Evanston is fortunate to be well represented by women at the local, state and federal government levels. In fact, six of our nine City Council members are women, as are all five of our Illinois state legislators. It's important that we celebrate and acknowledge all of our women elected officials who not only make a positive impact in our community, but also inspire the next generation of women to lead.
Improvements Coming to Lovelace Park
At the State of the City Luncheon, I was pleased to announce that the final $150,000 of this year's $1 million Good Neighbor Fund contribution will be allocated to improvements at Lovelace Park, greatly improving the experience for the hundreds of families with young children who use the park regularly. Thank you to Northwestern University and President Morton Schapiro for their continued support of our community.
2019 Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program Kicks Off
On Saturday, 84 local employers and 604 Evanston students participated in the 27th annual Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP) Job Fair at ETHS. Thank you to the many employers, volunteers and staff who contributed to the success of this year's job fair, providing valuable opportunities for our youth. Click below to see photos from the event.
Great Season, Wildkits!
Congratulations to the ETHS boys basketball team on a spectacular season! While the 2nd place outcome wasn’t quite what these young athletes wanted, they and everyone in Evanston that follows ETHS basketball will always remember the 2018-19 season.
Congratulations are also in order for the ETHS girls basketball team, which won a conference title and made it to the State's Sweet Sixteen last month.
You’ve made us all proud, Wildkits!
Cook County Assessor Triennial Reassessment Notices Mailed
The Cook County Assessor's Office has mailed assessment notices to Evanston property owners as part of its Triennial Reassessment. Changes to your property's proposed assessed value could impact next year's property tax bills.
You can learn how your assessment was determined and how to file an appeal with the Cook County Assessor's Office at a Property Tax Appeal Seminar, hosted by Commissioner Larry Suffredin, this Thursday, March 21, at 6:30 p.m., in the Morton Civic Center's City Council Chambers. Attendees should bring a copy of their property tax bill or their property index number (PIN). If you're unable to attend the meeting, you can also watch live online or on City Channel 16. Evanston property owners can file appeals through April 15.
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