Wednesday, October 28, 2020 | View in browser
A New City Manager, A New Mayor
 I was proud to swear in Erika Storlie as Evanston's ninth City Manager earlier today. (Evanston Photographic Studios)
Today was a good day for Evanston. Erika Storlie was sworn in as our City's 9th City Manager.
Our Council-Manager form of government, common throughout the United States and adopted in Evanston in 1952, combines the political leadership of elected representatives with the strong, capable experience of a professional public administrator. Arguably, the most important job of the City Council and Mayor is to select the full-time CEO of this City.
It is the City Manager who leads and oversees our 800 employees. She is the one who sets the tone with City staff and helps them implement the Council's collective vision and policy direction. It is the City Manager who must draft the initial budget for the Council to consider. The one who must deftly balance the needs of 10 elected representatives (9 Aldermen and a Mayor), all with different styles and priorities. And the one who ultimately is responsible for the efficient, effective, and responsive delivery of government services that we all rely on each day, from public safety, to fresh drinking water, to safe roads and beaches, to smart and sensible new development in Evanston, to policies and practices that are good for the climate, good for racial equity, and good for our community.
Erika Storlie knows Evanston well. She, along with her wife, Kristi, reside in Evanston with their four children who all attend D65 schools. Erika rose up through the ranks starting as an analyst in 2004 and becoming our Interim City Manager a year ago upon the departure of our longtime City Manager. Since then, Erika has done an outstanding job building a team, including her appointment of Ike Ogbo as our City’s Health & Human Services Director, capably leading us through the worst pandemic since 1918, and astutely managing our finances so that our 2020 deficit was kept down to just 10 percent of our General Fund budget.
Erika’s values are Evanston’s values. She demands good government. She treats people with respect and fairness. She does not cater to one elected official over another. She is a problem solver. She cares deeply about the environment, racial equity, affordable housing, and good policing. She negotiates well on our behalf and always has the City’s best interest in mind. She is just the type of person we should want in this 24/7 demanding job; a job where many difficult decisions need to be made that inevitably leave some angry and vocal. I am confident Erika will lead with integrity and help us continue on our quest to be one of the most livable cities in America.
Please join me in welcoming Erika Storlie as our new City Manager.
A New Mayor
With Erika’s elevation to City Manager, her proven track record, and deep knowledge of Evanston, I know our City is in good hands. This feels like the right time to announce that I have decided not to seek re-election in April 2021.
This was not an easy decision. I love this City. I love many of the City staff, elected officials, community partners, and residents I get to work and interact with on a daily basis. But, most importantly, I love what we have accomplished together over the last four years, in spite of a current global pandemic, economic downturn, contentious differences, and the rising public distrust that exists for our elected leaders and government institutions.
The challenges that lie ahead for Evanston are significant - providing essential services with less, rebuilding our local economy, wisely balancing our budget and reallocating our assets, preparing all our young adults for productive and successful careers, honoring the diversity of our community, and addressing growing socioeconomic and racial disparities. I am proud of what I, the City Council, our indefatigable staff, and the citizens of Evanston have set as our agenda on these issues. But I think it is time to take a break and allow for another to take the role of Mayor and help us continue to move forward.
If we have learned anything from 2020, it’s that leadership and character matter. We are blessed in Evanston to have many gifted leaders who want to make a difference. Now is the time to step up and serve your City, whether it be in elected service, appointed position, or volunteering. Learn more about all of these opportunities below.
While holding elected office is always demanding, and even exasperating at times, the opportunity to serve others is deeply rewarding. I have been honored to serve as your Mayor and look forward to doing everything I can to see us through the pandemic and support the efforts of our new Mayor and Council starting in May 2021. Until then, I will continue to do my best to lead us with grace, courage, and integrity through these uncertain times.
With deep respect and gratitude for all that each of you do for Evanston.
Onward,
 Stephen H. Hagerty
Mayor, City of Evanston
shagerty@cityofevanston.org
Represent your community
 While most of us are focused on the upcoming 2020 Presidential Election, local municipal elections are just around the corner in 2021. If you’re interested in serving our community through elected office, view the Cook County Clerk’s 2021 Info for Candidates page and the City Clerk’s Filing for the 2021 Municipal Election presentation for filing dates, qualifications, and requirements. Signed petitions are due no later than November 23.
If you'd rather advise our elected officials than be one, vacancies exist on a number of City boards, commissions and committees, including the Plan Commission, Preservation Commission, Housing & Homelessness Commission, and more. Explore City boards, commissions and committees and apply to serve here.
Finally, Evanston is home to many wonderful organizations serving our community's needs. You can search local opportunities on the City's VolunteerEvanston portal.
Strive to improve
 It's not every day a former President tweets about our City, but that’s what happened this month when President Barack Obama took to Twitter to highlight communities around the country that are working to review and reform their Police Use of Force policies.
In June, I was proud to join more than 300 mayors from across the country in signing the Obama Foundation’s “Reimagining Policing Pledge,” which called for cities to review and reform police use of force policies, redefine public safety, and combat systemic racism within law enforcement. As part of that effort, the City partnered with the Northwestern Neighborhood & Network Initiative (N3) to review the Evanston Police Department’s current Use of Force Policy and offer recommendations to strengthen the policy and achieve greater equity, transparency and accountability. There remains work to be done, but I’m confident we are on the right path.
You can read N3's report and recommendations, find answers to frequently asked questions, and much more on the City’s Police FAQ page.
Look out for one another
 As much as we’d like it to disappear, COVID-19 is not going away. Today, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) implemented resurgence mitigations in suburban Cook County (Region 10), including Evanston. The measures include temporarily suspending indoor service at bars and restaurants and limiting gatherings to 25 people or fewer. (View the City's press release for details.)
Even in Evanston, where we’ve collectively managed to keep cases low relative to our neighbors, we are now seeing cases rise. (Find the latest Evanston-specific COVID-19 data on the City’s interactive dashboard (view on mobile)).
As colder weather sets in, we’ll be spending more time indoors, providing the virus with more opportunities to spread. It’s essential that we continue to exercise good judgment and follow public health directives, including watching your distance, washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, and wearing a face covering in public settings when social distancing is not practical.
We are all still in this together. Your actions can save lives and help our community recover faster. Thank you for your continued efforts.
Exercise your democratic right
 Early voting for the 2020 Presidential Election began last week at the Morton Civic Center (Room G300), and will continue on weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and weekends, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through November 2. As you exercise your democratic right, be sure to protect the health and safety of your fellow voters and poll workers by wearing a face covering and practicing social distancing.
As a reminder, if you’ve applied for and received a mail-in ballot, you can drop it off in the secure drop box located indoors on the ground floor of the Morton Civic Center during early voting hours.
COVID-19 Resources
City of Evanston
Cook County
State of Illinois
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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