The League of Women Voters of Evanston voted Sunday to further study a proposal to add aldermen elected by the entire city to Evanston City Council.
The study will examine the advantages and disadvantages of adding “at-large” aldermen to a council whose members currently are elected only by residents of wards. Susan Horowitz, chairwoman of the league’s local government committee, said she thinks at-large aldermen could improve citywide planning and communication. But the league must thoroughly study the issue before its members make a decision, she said.
“It’s a non-issue until it is agreed upon by our members,” she said. “We have to present both sides of the story to our members and help them reach a conclusion.”
The league hopes to decide on the proposal this year so it would have time to seek a referendum on the 2004 ballot. The next aldermanic election is in 2005.
Horowitz discussed the parameters of the study at the group’s annual meeting, which took place at Davis Street Fish Market, 501 Davis St. She said the issue of at-large aldermen arose during an annual review of the league’s positions on city government. League members endorsed the basic form of Evanston’s government but also sought a better way to address the concerns of the city as a whole. An at-large aldermen program was one possible solution.
Some of those issues include economic development, budget planning and the allocation of state and federal resources, Horowitz said.
“When you look at the infrastructure of the city, you honestly have to forget where you’re coming from or who you’re representing,” she said. “You have certain resources, and you have to plan on how to use those for the whole city.”
Aldermen already consider how their decisions affect the entire city, Horowitz said, but having the perspective of at-large aldermen on the council would make that even easier.
“It’s like looking through a new pair of glasses,” she said. “A different pair of glasses often helps you come up with a different way of looking at things.”
Horowitz previously served as mayor of Iowa City, Iowa, which is governed by a council of local and at-large representatives. Comparisons with other cities would be an important part of the league’s study, she said.
The league also hopes to consult with local residents, legislators and city organizations. But what they really need, Horowitz said, is a good lawyer. The league wants to know how city and state law would limit the proposal. She said the league might have some money to hire an attorney, but the members hope to find an attorney willing to work for a reduced rate or for free.
“It’s one thing to get opinions,” she said. “It’s another thing to seek municipal legal advice.”
Some league members also have worried that at-large aldermen would be less accountable to residents, Horowitz said. Others are concerned the proposal would reduce council diversity.
But Ald. Elizabeth Tisdahl (7th), who supports the idea, said problems with diversity are not likely. Tisdahl said the issue was never a problem when she was president of the district 202 board, whose members are elected at large to preside over Evanston Township High School.
“Some people are concerned that minorities could not be elected at large, but they always have been for the school board,” Tisdahl said. “I think they could be to the council. I know they could be.”
At-large aldermen would have more time to think about issues that concern all of Evanston, Tisdahl said. “I’m hopeful that there would be some folks spending less time on potholes and more time on the budget.”
