Ald. Bobby Burns (5th) is leading by 437 votes in Tuesday’s election as of 8:30 p.m., according to preliminary results from the Cook County Clerk’s office.
“I’m incredibly happy about the results,” Burns told The Daily Tuesday evening. “It shows that I’ve put in the work, and people think we are going in the right direction.”
Burns, a political consultant and entrepreneur, grew up in Evanston and now raises three children in the central Evanston ward he has represented since being first elected to the seat in 2021. He ran against Carlis Sutton, a former educator and member of Evanston’s Reparations Committee.
In an interview with The Daily in February, Burns said his top priority is to expand and promote affordable housing opportunities so long-time Evanston residents can remain in the city. For his second term, he said he wants the city to explore underutilized sites for housing or commercial developments.
“If you can’t afford to live in Evanston, nothing else matters,” Burns told The Daily in February.
His other priorities include public safety and youth development — including offering extracurricular enrichment programs and career training opportunities as alternatives to a four-year college.
Sutton grew up in Evanston and has taught at Evanston Township High School and several Evanston/Skokie School District 65 schools. He has run twice for the 5th Ward seat before, first in 2013 as a write-in candidate and in 2017, when he came in third in the five-way primary.
Sutton did not immediately respond to several requests to comment by email on Tuesday.
The two candidates shared the need for increased affordable housing in the 5th Ward but diverged on specific policies. In an interview with The Daily in February, Sutton said he wants Evanston to place its vacant land into a land trust. He also proposed using TIF funds — increased property tax revenue from the city-designated districts — for job training programs and supporting small landlords.
Sutton also questioned the city government’s permanent exit from the 5th Ward Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, which Burns supported. In an early March press conference, Sutton joined several other City Council candidates in calling for the city to consider rehabilitating and remaining in the building.
However, City Council, at its March 10 meeting, passed a resolution to close the possibility of returning city operations to the Ridge Avenue building. Burns voted in favor of the resolution.
Looking ahead, Burns said his priorities remain to purchase underutilized land for affordable housing, create new opportunities for residents, and improve the quality of life in the 5th Ward.
“It’s an honor to serve (my constituents),” he said. “I’m somebody that leads with passion, and it’s part of the purpose of my life to serve this ward and move it forward.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Email: c.he@dailynorthwestern.com
Twitter: @caseeey_he
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— Q&A: Ald. Bobby Burns discusses housing, revitalization in hopes of 2nd term
— Q&A: 5th Ward challenger Carlis Sutton talks affordable housing in 3rd council bid
— Council, mayoral hopefuls gather for contentious forum ahead of Evanston election
