City of Evanston Annual Report 2020

Saving Lives and Property

The Fire Department responded to 9,091 calls for service, including 3,179 fire service calls and 5,912 emergency medical services calls, with an average response time of three minutes and twenty-one seconds. In all, 65 structure fires were mitigated, resulting in 89 percent of property being saved and 0 fire fatalities.

Planning for Emergencies

The EFD continued to work with all City departments on the Emergency Operations Plan as well as the Continuity of Operations Plan for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conducting Specialized Training

While adjusting training techniques due to the pandemic, the Evanston Fire Department was able to conduct multiple specialized training sessions in 2020, including practicing aerial ladder operations for high rise rescues, fire hydrant testing, biennial CPR recertification, high angle rescue techniques, and rescue techniques for victims of significant vehicle crashes.

Practicing for Lakefront Rescues

The Evanston Fire Department and Parks & Recreation Lakefront Staff developed an interdepartmental rescue plan for Evanston's Lake Michigan frontage. The plan involves coordinated communication, resources, and rescue responses from both departments.

Keeping Guns Off the Streets

A total of 19 guns, including handguns and long guns, were brought in during the Department’s annual gun buyback event at Christ Temple Church. Ammunition and BB guns were also collected.

Answering Community Questions

Every Monday in July and August, Mayor Hagerty was joined by members of the Evanston Police Department for a live Q&A and discussion on policing. The nine-part series covered a wide range of topics, including Police Budget, Use of Force and Body Cameras, and more. These sessions were aimed at informing the community about Evanston-specific police policies, procedures and operations.

Engaging with the Community

The Police Department participated in a socially-distanced National Night Out, with multiple outdoor events taking place throughout the community including a live DJ, a scavenger hunt, and movie screenings. Coffee with a Cop events continued virtually, allowing community members to get to know officers in a casual setting.

Hosting a Virtual Citizen Police Academy

Class 52 of the Citizen Police Academy was held virtually for the first time ever. The 15-participant class was adjusted to 10 weeks and culminated with a Zoom graduation celebration.

Thanking Healthcare Workers

The Police Department held two local “Hospital Thank You” events to show support and appreciation for frontline healthcare workers at both St. Francis Hospital and Evanston Hospital during the pandemic. Over 40 officers and firefighters attended the events to clap and cheer.

Committing to Public Safety

Working closely with a task force of other City departments, the Law Department helped to refine policies and protocols concerning dangerous and hazardous properties, and to ensure residents have access to services as needed, including housing insecure residents.

Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility

The Department handled approximately 86 percent of all active litigation files in-house, saving the City several million dollars.

Increasing Partnership Opportunities

Worked with several departments to draft and enter into memoranda of understanding with not-for-profit and other governmental partners to increase efficiency in providing City services and to conserve resources.

Updating Regulations

Staff drafted and amended ordinances and resolutions allowing the City to operate in a State of Emergency and guided City Officials in operating remotely due to the pandemic.

Conducting Contact Tracing

From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City’s Health & Human Services Department coordinated a robust contact tracing effort, reaching out to those exposed to COVID-19 and providing guidance to limit the spread of the disease in the community.

Coordinating Community Testing

In partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Health & Human Services Department held free community testing events throughout Evanston, including several multi-day drive-through events at ETHS and James Park.

Providing Public Health Guidance and PPE

The Health & Human Services Department provided congregate and long-term care communities with personal protective equipment as well as public health guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among vulnerable populations at these facilities.

Administering Vaccinations

At the end of 2020, the Health & Human Services Department received its first allocation of COVID-19 vaccines, distributing them to local hospitals to vaccinate frontline healthcare staff, as well as administering first doses to Evanston firefighters and paramedics.

Upgrading Fleet Vehicles

In-house staff facilitated the purchase of one fully electric vehicle and several new hybrid vehicles. They also purchased a large number of other vehicles allowing staff to continue offering uninterrupted City operations and services, including a brand new fire engine, and an aerial chipper for the Forestry Division.

Expanding Sale of Surplus Program 

The Sale of Surplus program allows Fleet and Facilities staff to auction off vehicles and equipment that no longer serve their purpose for the City. This program was expanded to a wider audience of bidders, including Evanston residents, bringing in over $100,000 in 2020 to put toward replacement vehicles.

Expanding IT Programs

The Information Technology Department expanded Google Apps, Asana, CivicPlatform and other programs used by the City, allowing for more efficient operations and better engagement with residents.

Updating Parking Infrastructure

Obsolete single-space parking meters were removed and strategically replaced with pay stations and a limited number of mobile pay-only zones in areas that had other parking options readily available, saving the City $175,000.

Improving City Facilities

Major renovations at Harbert Park were completed including new playground equipment, new picnic shelters, pathway and drainage improvements, lighting improvements and basketball court refurbishing. Renovations were also completed at Butler Park including stormwater drainage and pathway improvements as well as lighting upgrades.

Investing in Capital Improvements

The Clearwell Nine replacement project was completed placed into operation in December of 2020. The Robert Crown Community Center and Library, as well as the outdoor playing fields were completed and opened to the public. Also, four traffic signals were replaced and upgraded to LED signals along the Emerson Street corridor.  The project included the installation of pedestrian crossing countdown signals, audible pedestrian signals and emergency vehicle preemption devices. The crosswalk markings and ADA ramps were also replaced.

Increasing Water Supply

Evanston completed the installation of a new feeder main and meter vault to supply water to the Village of Lincolnwood. Lincolnwood began receiving their full daily supply of water from Evanston on July 1 of 2020.

Maintaining Infrastructure

26,900 square yards of street pavement were improved under the street patching program; 1.25 miles of water main were replaced and 2.83 miles of combined sewer main were rehabilitated.

Providing Safe Recreation Opportunities

1,790 summer camp programs slots were available, providing vital child care to essential workers during the pandemic. 983 youth participated in 80 sessions of e-learning enrichment camps between August and December. 578 households were awarded fee assistance in 2020 and 880 free beach tokens were distributed to residents.

Expanding Virtual Programming

The Department continued to safely engage the public during the pandemic by offering free art, dance and theatre programs through social media, obtaining over 11,000 viewers. 108 virtual fitness, wellness and arts programs were also offered to seniors through the Levy Senior Center.

Continuing the Farmers' Market

New guidelines were created in order to safely operate the market during the pandemic. The market saw an average of 4,000 to 5,000 customers weekly. The market was featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, WGN, the Chicago Tribune and more.

Feeding the Community

The Department served 6,801 congregate and shelf stable meals to over 312 seniors and worked with Interfaith Action of Evanston and the Greater Chicago Food Depository to provide thousands of families with fresh produce and shelf stable meals through the Producemobile.

Supporting Transportation

The City worked with Divvy to expand its program in Evanston by installing 90 electric, dockless Divvy bicycles, which can now be rented through the Lyft or Divvy apps. City staff also worked with the CTA to kick off the Red Purple Modernization Project study, with a plan to create an Evanston task force in 2021.

Responding to Increased Building Permit Requests

4,445 building permits were issued, up 20 percent from 3,710 in 2019, generating $5.9 million in revenue. In order to ensure safety, 5,442 building inspections were completed and staff responded to 1,120 property standards complaints.

Protecting the Housing-Insecure

The Department partnered with Connections for the Homeless to provide shelter and housing for the homeless population during the pandemic, using over $7 million in federal funding. Through these efforts, 327 homeless people were moved into shelters, 177 people were moved out of a shelter and into permanent housing, and 34 households received 12-month rent subsidies and case management services.

Expanding Housing

City Council approved two senior housing planned developments comprising 228 total units, 94 of which will be affordable housing units. Two market-rate developments with inclusionary affordable units were also approved: a five-story mixed use building at the current Vogue Fabrics site and a housing development on Ridge Avenue.

Saving Electrical Costs

The Office of Sustainability revised Evanston's municipal electric supply agreement, which is estimated to save the City hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in electric costs. Staff also began implementing a new agreement that will collectively bring the City an estimated $500,000 in new annual revenue.

Reviewing Policing Practices

After signing a pledge to review and potentially reform the Evanston Police Department’s Use of Force policies as a part of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance at the Obama Foundation, the City Manager’s Office and Police Department partnered with Northwestern Neighborhood Network Initiative to review its Police Use of Force Policy. Mayor Hagerty also appointed nine residents to serve on the Citizen Police Review Commission to review police complaints and investigations and provide a report to the City Council.

Providing the Public with Critical Information

The City’s Communications Division worked closely with all City departments to provide community members with frequent, timely updates regarding City services and public health guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including hosting more than a dozen live Q&As, sending out weekly email reports, creating signage, and sharing updates on social media and Channel 16.

Transitioning to Virtual Meetings

Broadcast operations seamlessly transitioned from in-person to virtual City meetings to ensure critical business could continue uninterrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Providing Small Business Assistance

The City's Economic Development Department amended guidelines to provide immediate financial relief to existing business at the start of the pandemic. The City also allocated $100,000 to the LEND COVID-19 Emergency Response fund offering 0% interest loans to local businesses, created a COVID-19 Micro-Enterprise Grant program, and facilitated a Going Digital Webinar Series to help businesses boost their online presence. Finally, a Keep Calm & Carry Out parking campaign was developed and outdoor dining guidelines were amended. 

Opening A New Branch

The Robert Crown Branch Library, a light-filled community gathering space featuring diverse programs, materials and staff, opened in 2020.

Providing Social Services

Through a new community partnership, the Evanston Care Network was launched. This one-stop, online portal was created to provide residents in need with easier access to food, shelter, mental health care, and more. The library also launched Job Search Tech Kits to help serve those who are un/under-employed and shared WiFi Hotspots with community organizations for tech support during the pandemic.

Promoting Equity

The library issued a public commitment to racial equity. It also developed an Anti-Racism Book List, created the Collection Advisory Committee to advise and aid in the purchase of materials to better serve underrepresented communities, launched a Spanish language library newsletter and participated in Project Ready equity training for all staff. Finally, to help overcome financial barriers, the library eliminated overdue fines.

Expanding Digital Programming

The library created engaging remote programming and more than 60 videos to offer childhood literacy opportunities for kids at home. There was an increase of 40 percent in checkouts of library materials in all formats between March and December.

• 914 virtual programs for all ages  
• 1,289 total programs for all ages
• Virtual Attendance: 13,200
• 243,630 digital items circulated in 2020 (up 55 percent from 2019)