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8th Ward Meeting

For a direct and meaningful budget conversation come to the 8th Ward Budget Meeting on Wed., Oct. 16, 7 p.m., at the Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave., Linden Room. It is a good idea to watch the Council's presentation before coming to the Ward meeting so that you have an overview. 

The City of Evanston’s 2020 Proposed Budget will be formally presented to the Evanston City Council on Mon., Oct. 14, at 7:15 p.m., in the James C. Lytle City Council Chambers, Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave. Residents are also invited to attend a public hearing on the budget on Sat., Oct. 26, at 9 a.m., in the Council Chambers. You can watch the City's live TV channel here. 

Notes of Interest 

• Ordinance 89-O-19, Amending the Municipal Retailers Occupation Tax to Increase the Rate Assessed from 1.0% to 1.25%. City Council adopted Ordinance 89-O-19, amending the municipal retailer’s occupation tax (home rule sales tax) to increase the rate assessed from 1.0% to 1.25%. The additional revenue from this rate increase would be deposited in the City’s General Fund.
  
  Passed 5-4 Ald. Suffredin, Rainey, Fleming and Fiske voted “No”
  
  I voted NO on increasing the municipal sales tax from 1% to 1.25% because I believe there are other revenue sources that are less regressive.
  
  
• The Joint Review Board unanimously agreed to support the extension of the Howard Ridge Tax Increment Financing District from its Howard and Ridge boundary to Howard and Ashland.
  
  
• A new public surface parking lot was created on Howard Street last month at 717 Howard Street.
  
  
• More good news: the long vacant deteriorating former Sherwin Williams building located at 611-621 Howard St. has been purchased and renovation will begin soon. The plan is for it to be turned into event space.
  
  
• The Plan Commission and City staff recommend adoption of Ord. 127-O-19 granting a map amendment to rezone the properties located at 951-1125 Howard St. from the current C1 Commercial District to the B2 Business District. The request meets the standards for a map amendment. Additional details can be found on page 570 of the City Council Agenda. Several public meetings held with notice to all within 500 feet.The 60 unit affordable senior housing building and renovation of CJE Adult Day Care building are on track for early winter start.
  
  
• CTA maintenance issues, trees hanging over fences, on wires, litter etc. If you have them, please note the exact addresses. The CTA has agreed to a meeting the week of Oct. 21, to discuss and receive this information. Details will be available on the 8^th Ward Message Board.
  
  
• Sidewalks: not everyone has a sidewalk in front of their home. If you are one of those residents, please let me know. Are you interested in having a sidewalk or are you happy with the way things are? Let me know at arainey@cityofevanston.org. I am going to set up a meeting to discuss.
  
  
• Have you dined at Libertad Restaurant in Skokie? You won’t have to drive so far come Jan 1, 2020. 633 Howard St. is soon to have a new occupant. This is an expansion. Skokie is not losing their great eatery.
  
  
• 8^th Ward Mural: let’s talk – there are sources for grants for neighborhood arts projects.

Update on OB Services At St. Francis

1. A Public Hearing took place on 10/1
2. St. Francis suspended OB services on 10/5 based on staffing
3. CON Board meeting for approval of closure is 10/22- Concerned residents should be routed to the State Planning Board website.

• All ACCESS and PMG patients were given the option of delivering at Resurrection, St. Joseph - Lincoln Park, or transferring care to Erie or Northshore. We will continue to offer pre-natal services at our Evanston Medical Office building.
  
  
• Emergency OB cases will be transferred to Evanston, while non emergencies will go to the patient’s hospital of choice.
  
  
• Kenneth Jones, President, AMITA Health St. Francis Hospital Evanston, 355 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60202.

What is on your mind? arainey@cityofevanston.org
Hope to see you at the 8th Ward Budget Meeting
Wednesday, October 16 at the Levy Center at 7 p.m.

The Evanston Repair Clinic, 10/12

The Evanston Repair Clinic is a free event open to all, where tools and expert volunteers are available to help attendees repair their own items. Head to Y.O.U. Headquarters, 1911 Church St., on Sat., Oct. 12., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. where there will be tools and repair experts to help you fix everything from small appliances, to jewelry, to electronics.

Visit the 'Undesign the Redline' Exhibit Through October 23

The “Undesign the Redline” exhibit, created by Designing the WE, has traveled to the 2nd Floor of the Morton Civic Center and will be on display for public viewing through October 23. Learn about the history of redlining, interact with the stories, and help invent the future of undoing structural inequities.

Main-Dempster Mile Annual Celebration, 10/17

Main-Dempster Mile neighbors and business owners are invited to join in for a celebration of the Main-Dempster Mile at Studio Mangiameli on Thurs., Oct. 17. Enjoy raffles, food, drinks and more! Tickets are $3 and all proceeds will be donated to Rainbows for All Children.

Coffee with a Cop, 10/24

Join members of the Evanston Police Department for conversation and a cup of morning coffee at "Coffee with a Cop" on Thurs., Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to noon, at 1800 Sherman Ave. in the Lobby. This event is hosted by Northwestern University’s Neighborhood and Community Relations Department.

Trunk or Treat, 10/25

Firetrucks, police cars, and other awesome City of Evanston vehicles will dress up for the first trunk or treat event on Fri., Oct. 25, in the Chandler-Newberger parking lot. After trick-or-treating through the parking lot, families can head to the Chandler-Newberger Center for an indoor playground, snacks, and craft activities!

Fall Fest at Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market, 10/26

The Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market on Saturday, October 26 features Fall Fest for children and families! Head to the Spud Club tent for pumpkin decorating and activities. All are encouraged to wear costumes to the market!

2019 Mayor's Award for the Arts Nominations

The Mayor's Awards for the Arts are given to an individual and an organization that has accomplished something exceptional in the Evanston Arts Community. The Evanston Arts Council is now accepting nominations for these awards through October 31. The winner will be announced at the annual Bright Night for the Arts on December 5 at the Block Museum!

Register for the Zombie Scramble, 11/2

The 6th Annual Zombie Scramble will take place on Sat., Nov. 2! During the event, participants must try to cross the finish line with all of their "lives" intact or risk becoming a zombie themselves! Make sure to register by the end of today to take advantage of Early Bird pricing.