Early Challengers For Council Seats In 6th, 8th Wards

So far, Evanston Ald. Ann Rainey (8th Ward) and Mark Tendam (6th Ward) are the only council members whose seats are being challenged in 2013. Election filing continues until Dec. 26.

After the first day of filing for the 2013 local elections, it appears that Evanston’s current crop of local elected officials will face challengers on the city council, District 65 school board and Evanston Township High School board. Read on to see who has filed nominating papers for election so far. Candidates have until Wednesday, Dec. 26, to file to appear on the ballot in the April 2013 election. City of Evanston Elected Officials All seats are up for election in the city of Evanston, and most incumbents have already filed papers to seek another term in 2013, according to city clerk Rodney Greene. That includes Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, Ald. Judy Fiske (1st Ward), Ald. Peter Braithwaite (2nd Ward), Ald. Don Wilson (4th Ward), Ald. …

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Jennifer Fisher

9:46 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Good catch, Millie! Thanks for letting me know. I've corrected it.   more ›

No Plan for Township Dissolution at Annual Meeting

The advisory referendum gave the board public consensus but no plan of action.

The proposed dissolution of Evanston Township was noticeably absent from the official agenda at Tuesday night’s annual township meeting, but the issue was front and center for many of those who spoke. At the first township board meeting since Evanston voters passed an advisory referendum supporting township dissolution by a 67 to 33 percent margin, Evanston aldermen -- who double as township board members -- and city staff said they still had no immediate plans for actualizing the public consensus voiced during the March 20 elections. Ald. Coleen Burrus (9th Ward) said that the city was still “exploring options” of what to do next. Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz said that the city never created a definitive plan of how to follow up…

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Township Phaseout Could Achieve Quasi-Dissolution Without Binding Referendum

A binding referendum could land the city in legal trouble, but a transfer of powers might work.

When the advisory referendum for Evanston Township dissolution passed with 66.9 percent support during the March 20 primary election, Evanston voters sent a clear message that they backed the change. But due to the legal complications that might accompany a similar binding referendum, it is improbable such a vote will make the upcoming November ballot. However, according to State Senator Jeff Schoenberg, D-Evanston, a complete phase out of township services coupled with a wind down of its tax levy could accomplish the same goal. City officials have explored the idea of dissolving the township in the hope that reduced office rental and personnel costs could save the city nearly $400,000, but Evanston City Attorney Grant Farrar said in …

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March 20 Election Results Round-Up

The D65 referendum failed, but voters backed township dissolution, electrical aggregation and Jan Schakowsky.

Last night, Evanston Patch kept you informed with up-to-the-minute results from the city's most important races. Here is a rundown of the final results. District 65 Bond Issuance Referendum The only Evanston referendum to fail Tuesday was also the closest race. 54.7 percent voted in opposition to District 65 issuing more than $48 million worth of bonds to finance the construction of a new 5th Ward elementary school, as well as repair and make additions to existing district schools. Some opponents of the referendum decried the proposed issuance as financially irresponsible and burdensome for both District 65 and Evanston residents, while supporters envisioned the 5th Ward school as a community-resurrecting catalyst for the surrounding …

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What Do You Think About the Township Referendum?

The question of whether the township should be dissolved is one of three referendum questions on the March 20 ballot.

Evanston has three referendum questions on its March 20 ballot — one on the township dissolution, one on funding for a new school building, and one on electrical aggregation. Those first two questions seem to have touched a nerve with residents, so we wanted to start a dialogue on the site for those who feel passionately about the issues and those who are still undecided. Today, we're asking about the township dissolution. Please vote in our poll and then share your thoughts in the comments below. Tomorrow we'll look at the District 65 building question. Related: Get all your March 20 election info at Evanston's Election Central. Here's the exact wording of the ballot question: Should the Evanston Township Board continue to pursue the …

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Residents Fighting to Block Advisory Township Dissolution Vote

Wednesday night meeting meeting resulted in letter being sent to Cook County Clerk.

A group of residents fighting to keep Evanston Township intact gathered Wednesday night at a "sometimes chaotic" meeting to protest the advisory question on the March 20 ballot asking people if they want to dissolve the entity, according to an article in Evanston Now. The City Council in November narrowly approved putting the question to voters on the March ballot. They approved the move 5-4 after the question of putting a binding resolution on the ballot failed. If the township is dissolved, the city would assume all its responsibilities, which include levying taxes, administering a general assistance program and assisting residents with property tax assessments. The move could save about half a million dollars, according to the City …

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Schoenberg Bill Provides for Binding Dissoulution of Township

State Sen. introduced bill at council's request in conjunction with March 20 referendum.

Township Dissolution Referendum Might Put City in Legal Gray Area

The City of Evanston wants to dissolve Evanston Township to save money, but conflicting state laws present an unclear road map for how to act.

A motion passed at Tuesday night’s Evanston Township Board of Trustees meeting has some dissenting trustees worried that the measure might open the door for legal action against the City of Evanston. Passed by a narrow 5 to 4 vote, the motion will act as a formal survey, adding an advisory referendum to March 20 township election ballots that asks voters if they want Evanston Township to dissolve, with all its services, responsibilities, powers, assets and obligations being assumed by the City of Evanston. The township government currently levies taxes, administers a general assistance program and assists residents with property tax assessments. The township‘s boundaries are coterminous with the city, and the Evanston City Council sits as …

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Residents May Get Chance to Vote on Dissolving Evanston Township

The issue may be put to vote, though the process of dissolving the township is a complicated task.

The Evanston city council members voted Monday in support of drafting referendum language and taking other actions to move forward in dissolving the Evanston Township. The referendum will be included in the March 20 election. If passed, the move would transfer township duties to the city and save an estimated $500,000-700,000, according to TribLocal. Read the full story here.

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Niles North Rally Falls Short Versus Evanston

Abdel Nader's 41 points aren't enough to help Vikings overcome early deficit.

A fourth-quarter deficit was nothing new for Niles North, as the team's first four victories were of the come-from-behind variety. But they hadn't faced a team like Evanston, a ranked team that is battle-tested and not afraid to play in tight situations on the road. Down the stretch it was the Wildkits who hit their free throws and didn't turn the ball over. They overcame Abdel Nader's 41 points and beat the Vikings 67-62 at Niles North on Dec. 3. "The key was, I don't know if we got stops or [Nader] just cooled off a little bit the last two or three minutes," Evanston Township coach Mike Ellis said.  "If he continues that hot streak into the final two minutes, they maintain that lead," he said. "But I thought we played a little smarter …

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