City of Evanston 2022 Annual Report

Receiving recognition: The Law Department was awarded the Jefferson B. Fordham Award by the American Bar Association State and Local Government Law Section for its work on advancing the City's Reparations initiatives

Collaborating with departments: Staff crafted over 120 Resolutions and 130 Ordinances in collaboration with various City departments and elected officials.

Spurring economic development: The Law Department supported economic development and successful commercial and real estate development in partnership with the City Manager’s Office and Community Development Department, including staffing the Land Use Commission meetings, many Preservation Commission meetings, drafting ordinances for special use permits, major variations and planned developments, and drafting several omnibus zoning ordinances to update the Zoning Code.

Planning strategically: The Health & Human Services Department completed the Evanston Project for Local Assessment of Needs (EPLAN), a 5-year strategic plan which identifies health priorities and helps to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the public health system in Evanston. Upon approval of the EPLAN by IDPH, the department renewed its status as a Certified Health Department.

Supporting financial health: Working with the City Manager’s Office and Mayor’s Office, the Health & Human Services Department helped launch a Guaranteed Income Pilot Program, providing 150 Evanston households with direct monthly financial assistance for one year to spend as they see fit.

Establishing ASPIRE Evanston: The department’s Workforce Development Office launched the ASPIRE Evanston program, creating a pipeline to invest in students and young adults and connect them with opportunities to explore careers in healthcare. Forty-five Evanston students and young adults were matched with career opportunities.

Reducing lead hazards: The department partnered with the Cook County Public Health Department to provide free lead hazard mitigation for qualifying Evanston residents.

Responding to COVID-19 and Monkeypox: The department continued its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing in-home vaccinations, supplying testing materials, responding to community outbreaks, and supplying critical public health information. Staff also monitored and responded to local cases of Monkeypox outbreaks and connected with partners to identify vaccination sites.

Performing food safety and inspections: Staff conducted 1,175 health inspections at more than 400 food and beverage establishments.

Ensuring safety: Staff completed 5,679 building inspections and 2,996 property maintenance inspections.

Building community: The department issued 3,316 building permits, generating more than $6.5 million in revenue and representing a construction value of $339,152,670.

Expanding affordable housing: Sixty-five new affordable units for households with incomes at or below 60 percent of the median were completed in three developments in 2022 and another market rate project with two more affordable units was under construction. Four new market rate developments were approved that will offer 31 affordable units. In addition:

• The 60-unit affordable senior project, Ann Rainey Apartments, was completed and fully rented up in 2022.

• Evanston’s first affordable, all-electric Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)/coach house at 1930 Jackson Ave. was built by Evanston Development Cooperative and is owned by Housing Opportunity Development Corporation.

Building relationships: The department established the New Blue Leadership Fellowship Program, a yearlong commitment providing seven members of the department an opportunity to discuss challenges and barriers within law enforcement, while working to identify solutions to facilitate reform and improve community relationships.

Welcoming a new chief: In October, Evanston welcomed Evanston native Schenita Stewart as its next police chief. Chief Stewart launched a Coffee with the Chief initiative, holding events throughout the city to strengthen police-community partnerships.

Engaging with the community: The department participated in National Night Out, a nationwide effort to connect community and police.

Investing in lifesaving equipment: The department welcomed a used fire engine in 2022 to bolster its reserve fleet, and secured funding to procure two brand new engines in 2023 and 2024. Northwestern University contributed $800,000 to support the purchase of the 2023 engine.

Responding to more incidents: In 2022, the Evanston Fire Department answered their highest call volume to date, responding to a total of 11,083 incidents.

Addressing staffing needs: The department established a two-year eligibility list for new hires and a three-year Fire Apparatus Operators promotion list. They also implemented staffing on the weekends for Marine 21 (rescue boat) to better support lakefront operations.

Engaging with the community: Staff participated in multiple community events, including 149 block parties and hosted a successful Fire Department Open House and an Emergency Management Fair.

Continuing employee education: Four Fire Department staff members were put through the 10-week Fire Academy program and an additional four staff members went through the 9-month St. Francis Paramedic School program.

Upgrading water systems: The City completed replacement of its 54-inch water intake heater cable, which helps ensure high quality, reliable drinking water for nearly 500,000 customers.

Maintaining infrastructure: 37,285 square yards of street pavement were improved under the street patching program, 2.65 miles of roads were resurfaced, and the first private-side lead water service lines were replaced.

Completing the 30-Inch Water Transmission Main Project: The City installed or rehabilitated more than 8,000 linear feet of 30-inch water main, completing the project several months ahead of schedule.

Rehabbing our sewer system. Phase I of the Large Diameter Sewer Rehabilitation Program was completed. The $1.1 million project will eventually line approximately 3,600 linear feet of 39- to 60-inch sewer main.

Improving City facilities: Staff replaced the HVAC system at the water plant with an all-electric system that is more efficient and moves the City towards its carbon reduction goals.

Replacing a century-old bridge: The department completed the Central Street Bridge Replacement project, supporting improved two-way traffic and implementing a dedicated 10-foot-wide pedestrian walkway and striped bike lanes. The project received a Special Achievement Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies.