City of Evanston Blog
Evanston Elected Officials Recite Athenian Oath
A great tradition in Evanston when swearing in elected officials is that officials not only take the traditional oath of office, but also recite what is now known as the "Athenian Oath." The history of this oath comes from what was known as the Ephebic Oath. This was an oath sworn by young men of Athens upon induction into the Ephebic College, graduation from which was required to attain status as citizens. The original oath translated into English (from…
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Evanston Innovates! - Anti-Icing Program & Salt Brine Maker
Evanston Innovates! is a blog series dedicated to innovations taking place in the City of Evanston. What innovative new idea has the City of Evanston adopted this past winter? The answer is a new anti-icing system which provides Evanstonians with safer roadways without breaking the bank. The Public Works Department has been experimenting with salt brine for the last five years as an means to prevent ice formation. The experiments were conducted with the help of the Village of…
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Evanston Day in Springfield 2013
Over fifty Evanston residents, elected officials and community leaders, led by Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, traveled on Wednesday March 13 to the State Capital for the fourth annual Evanston Day in Springfield. This event is a unique opportunity for Evanston issues to be heard by our state leaders and provides the delegation from Evanston an opportunity to get to know one another in a way not always available here in town. One part of the experience that sets it apart is…
Main Chicago TIF For Final Action
The City Council will be considering final action on the Main Chicago TIF Monday night. On December 10, 2012 ordinances were introduced to City Council to establish the proposed TIF District. Ordinances require two readings at City Council. Therefore, the ordinances are going to come back before the City Council on Monday, January 28 for consideration for adoption. Members of the public and business association are welcome to attend. Public comment will be accepted on this item at City Council.…
Newsy Items on Monday City Council Agenda
1. Presentation of Downtown Evanston Performing Arts Study. 2. Contract for Main Street Transit Study funded primarily through grant from RTA. 3. Application for Grant Funds for the Dodge Avenue (Howard to Church) Protected Bike Lanes. 4. Intergovernmental Agreement with Evanston Township High School for second School Resource Officer on campus. ETHS agrees to employee Career/Job Coordinator in exchange for second officer. Agreement through June 30, 2014. 5. Various leases with arts groups for Noyes Cultural Arts Center. Update on…
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Outdoor Ice Rinks Update - Sunday January 20
From Parks/Forestry & Facilities Management Superintendent Paul D'Agostino as of 8:30 AM Sunday January 20, 2013: "The rink at Ackerman Park has good ice and residents can skate there. Baker Park was flooded again around 7:00 AM this morning (Sunday) and the ice there should be in skating condition in a few hours. The lakefront lagoon has good ice in the middle, but the edges are still bare due to the water draining out at the base of the walls.…
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Evanston Innovates! - Evanston Fire Department Signs Inter-Governmental Agreement for Shared Use of Fire Tower
Evanston Innovates! is a blog series dedicated to innovations taking place in the City of Evanston. Evanston Fire and Life Safety Services has been without a dedicated, secure training structure since the early 1990s when then Fire Station 1, at 909 Lake St., was scheduled for renovation. Our Department has long needed to have access to a multi-story multiple purpose training tower. For the last ten years we have had the construction of a new training tower in the…
Newsy Items on Monday City Council Agenda
Presentations: 5:45 PM - to NU Athletic Director Jim Phillips and members of the NU football team in recognition of their victory in 2013 Gator Bowl. 8:00 PM - to Northshore University Health System CEO Mark Neaman, COO J.P. Gallagher, ETHS Clinic Medical Director Dr. Julie Holland and Lead Nurse Kathy Swartwout of Keys to the City for their work supporting the ETHS Health Clinic Other Items: 1. Award of contract for theater construction at 727/729 Howard Street 2. Agreement…
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Emerald Ash Borer in Evanston
The Chicago Tribune ran an article earlier this week on the impacts of the Emerald Ash Borer on trees throughout the Chicago area. I asked our Superintendent of Parks/Forestry and Facilities Management Paul D'Agostino to provide an update on the situation in Evanston: "Since 2006, Evanston’s Parks/Forestry Division has been struggling to stay ahead of the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer. Before this insect was discovered within Evanston, the public Ash population stood at just over 4,200. As of…
What Happened to the Snow?
From Streets and Sanitation Superintendent Jim Maiworm: The question on everyone's mind is what happen to the predicted snowfall last night. While Public Works was prepared and had anticipated at a minimum a rapid air temperature drop and a burst of heavy snow nothing of that sort happened. While weather forecasting has gotten much more accurate over the years, Evanston is challenged with several factors that are hard to account for when forecasting the weather; 1) Urban heat island…