Thursday, October 29, 2026 | View in browser
There’s a lot happening around town! Get the details on Halloween weekend festivities, meet our new Acting Mayor, and help choose the winner of the Youth Recycling Wrap Art Competition, plus other community news.
 Congratulations, Acting Mayor Nieuwsma!
On Monday night, City Council appointed 4th Ward Councilmember Jonathan Nieuwsma as Acting Mayor after Daniel Biss stepped down on October 18.
Elected to Council in 2021, he will serve until the newly elected Mayor is sworn in on May 10, 2027. As Acting Mayor, he will preside over Council meetings, advance the Council’s legislative priorities, and support essential City services, exercising the Mayor’s powers within applicable legal limits.
 Photo of decorated Harley Clarke Mansion.
The Halloween festivities continue!
Join in for a weekend full of Halloween-themed events and activities.
Official trick-or-treat hours. Evanston’s official trick-or-treat hours are Saturday, October 31, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Trunk or Treat: October 30. Families can enjoy decorated trunks, treats, and festive fun at the City’s Trunk or Treat on Fri., Oct. 30, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Robert Crown Center parking lot, 1801 Main St.
Harley Clarke Mansion Halloween Open House: The historic mansion opens as a haunted Halloween destination on Fri., Oct. 30, and Sat., Oct. 31, from 4 to 8 p.m. It’s free and includes activities for all ages, live music, and a lakefront beer garden open until 10 p.m. Learn more.
Halloween on Howard Street: Enjoy an afternoon of food, candy, and family fun on Fri., Oct. 30, from 4 to 7 p.m. Trick-or-treat at participating businesses, enter the costume contest, and watch the movie Hocus Pocus.
Nightmare on Foster Street: Come in costume on Fri., Oct. 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. to the Fleetwood-Jourdain Center (1655 Foster St.) to enjoy a haunted house, themed crafts, and activities for all ages, with concessions for sale.
“No Tricks, Just Treats”: Swing by the front of the Evanston Police Station, 1454 Elmwood Ave., on Sat. Oct. 31 from 2 to 4 p.m. for festive fun, sweet treats, and a special appearance by the police ducky.
Family Halloween Festival: Celebrate Halloween at New Ryan Field on Sat., Oct. 31, from 1 to 4 p.m.! Families can enjoy free fall activities, candy, a movie screening, and booths from community partners. RSVP to attend.
 Vote for your favorite youth-submitted design!
Young artists from our community submitted 36 amazing designs for this year's Youth Recycling Wrap Art Competition, each one featuring “Loop the Cart” as part of the Feed the Cart campaign. Now it’s your turn to decide!
 Click image to play video. Video shows what the Water Meter System replacement process entails.
City continues upgrading water meters
The Evanston Water Production Bureau is continuing to upgrade its water meter system in three phases over the next two years.
The City has contracted with Water Services Company, Inc. to replace outdoor meter readout units with newer devices. Technicians will also identify water service line materials, complete a basic cross-connection survey, and replace meters over 15 years old on copper lines. There is no cost to residents.
Residents will receive a letter when work begins in their area with instructions to schedule an appointment with Water Services Company.
 Meet some of our first responders
In honor of National First Responders Day on October 28, we want you to meet some of the people who show up for Evanston every single day!
Some of them you’ll see out in the community. Others you may only ever know as the calm voice on the other end of the phone. But every one of them chose this work because they wanted to help people when it matters most. View our slideshow above to hear from members of our CARE team, Fire Department, Police Department, 911 Dispatch, and the 311 Center.
More News and Events
Early voting continues through November 2
Election Day for the 2026 General Election on November 3 is approaching, and Evanston voters can skip the Election Day lines by voting early in person at the Robert Crown Center, 1801 Main Street, Rooms B/C. Early voting runs through November 2.
Make a plan for your post-holiday pumpkins
Rescue your Halloween pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns from withering on the front porch by dropping them off to be composted at the 11th annual “It's the Great Pumpkin Compost” Collection event on Sat., Nov. 7, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Morton Civic Center parking lot.
Donate and volunteer for the Fall Food Drive
Evanston Community Cares is hosting a fall food drive at ETHS to serve up to 500 families. Drop off donations at the Fieldhouse on Sat., Nov. 7, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Distribution is Sun., Nov. 8, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Help by shopping the donation list, giving grocery gift cards, or volunteering.
City seeks snow towing contractors for 2026-27 winter season
The City is seeking tow truck operators for emergency snow towing contracts this winter. Interested operators can call 847-866-2935 or email purchasing@cityofevanston.org. Completed documentation is due by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Fall back this weekend
Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before bed Saturday night. It’s also a good time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Coming soon to Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre: The Niceties
In Eleanor Burgess’s The Niceties, a college student’s meeting with her professor about a paper on slavery and the American Revolution turns into an urgent debate about race, history, and power. Performances run Oct. 31 - Nov. 15, Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Purchase tickets.
Share your feedback on regional bus service
The CTA wants your input on improving regional bus service, including frequency, hours, routes, and connections. Take the survey at CTABusVisionProject.com by Nov. 30, or share feedback in person on Sat., Nov. 14, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Robert Crown Center.
Pace’s Draft ReVision Plan proposes a 50% increase in suburban bus service, with more frequent options at night and on weekends. Review the plan and take the survey at PaceBus.com/ReVision, or join the virtual open house on Nov. 18 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Card payment fees update
Starting this fall, the City will add a convenience fee to credit card payments to cover processing costs, which reached $1.3 million in 2025. City Council approved the change during the 2025 budget process to reduce reliance on reserves. The fee will be 2.23% or $1, whichever is greater, and will roll out across City departments through the end of 2026.
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
 Click image to play video
Construction is complete at Chandler Tot Lot. Located at the Chandler-Newberger Center, the renovated space features a new playground, new pavement, drainage improvements, basketball court modifications, and new landscaping. Check out our video for a short tour.
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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