Wednesday, December 4, 2024 | View in browser
Happy Holidays!
I hope everyone in the ward had a great start to the holiday season. City Council has been busy lately with our main focus being on passing the budget for 2025. We moved forward without needing to increase the City's portion of the property tax levy despite many rising costs. I was very appreciative of staff's efforts to work towards making the budgeting process a year long exercise and making it much easier to get to a workable budget than in years past.
I am especially thankful for City Manager Stowe's support of bringing back Participatory Budgeting for 2025. Through working with Open Democracy Evanston team (original Participatory Budgeting group) and staff, there will be another round of Participatory Budgeting idea collection and voting next year. New projects will focus on capital improvements for 2026 and there will be a steering committee working towards ironing out the details to be ready the process for next year. Mayor Biss recently wrote his thoughts on the 2025 budget and they can be read here.
9th Ward Meeting
Next week there is a 9th Ward meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. at the South End Community Center.
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Housing and Community Development staff will be on hand to discuss Envision Evanston 2045 and what proposed comprehensive plan and zoning changes will mean for the neighborhood. Both are currently in draft form and are here to read: Comprehensive Plan Draft, Zoning Map Draft, and Zoning Districts Draft. Community participation around proposed changes is important and I would advise people to visit the Envision Evanston 2045 site to provide feedback.
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Staff from the Sustainability and Resiliency team will also be attending to talk about the upcoming Healthy Building ordinance and how that furthers our climate action goals.
The meeting will also be available virtually through Google Meet for residents who cannot attend in person.
Join via Google Meet
Join via Phone: 567-250-3418
PIN: 636 359 719#
Support Families in Evanston
Help ensure every Evanston family can celebrate this holiday season. The City is collecting new, unwrapped toys in addition to staple food items for holiday meals, including stuffing, green beans, yams, mac and cheese, corn, and cornbread mix through December 9. The City is also collecting new and gently used children's books, as well as check and credit card donations through the Evanston Parks Foundation.
Donate to the Mayor's Holiday Food, Book and Toy Drive. View drop off locations.
Families who wish to participate in the Mayor's Holiday Food, Book & Toy Drive to receive toys and/or food items must register by calling 847-448-4311 (or dial 311 in Evanston) by Friday, December 6.
 Shop Small. Shop Local. Shop Evanston!
Get a jump start on your holiday shopping with great deals and unique gifts from local Evanston businesses.
Enjoy free parking for the holidays: We're making local shopping easy this year by offering a “Holiday Parking: Free for 2024” promotion. Visitors to our business districts can enjoy up to two hours of free street parking daily through January 1, 2025. Simply enter the code "Holiday2024" while using the Park Evanston app.
 Celebrate the holiday season in Evanston
Get in the holiday spirit with events and celebrations for the whole family.
Flip the switch: Bring your family and friends downtown to Fountain Square to catch the annual Holiday Light Celebration with Mayor Biss and other special visitors on Sat., Dec. 7, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Flapjacks & Flannels: Join the Parks & Rec team for a Flapjacks and Flannels event at the Levy Senior Center on Sun., Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon. Wear your flannel, bring your family, and enjoy some flapjacks!
Sounds of the season: Head to ETHS on Sun., Dec. 15, at 3 p.m., to enjoy the award-winning Evanston Symphony Orchestra, joined by the North Shore Choral Society, Chicago Ballet Arts, and more!
Juan Geracaris
Councilmember, 9th Ward
jgeracaris@cityofevanston.org
847-868-2197
Instagram: @9thWardJuan
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