Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

Menu
All content by Billy Kobin

City shuts off 6 water fountains due to high lead levels

June 7, 2017
Construction on Sheridan Road. The $13.3 million Sheridan Road-Chicago Avenue Project could be affected by the ongoing Illinois budget impasse, which lawmakers failed to end Wednesday.

After state lawmakers fail to pass budget, Evanston braces for possible impact

June 1, 2017
People walk on Chicago Avenue. Evanston’s We’re Out Walking program, which promotes an active lifestyle, is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Evanston walking program celebrates 10th anniversary

May 24, 2017
Rabbi Andrea London. London and students from Beth Emet Synagogue hosted an event Sunday to discuss immigration and efforts to address the issue in Evanston.

Jewish students, local activists discuss immigration policies

May 21, 2017
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) discusses policy issues and voter disconnect at an event earlier this month. Schakowsky introduced a bill Tuesday that would require companies to provide more information about price increases for certain drugs.

Bipartisan bill aims to address drug price hikes

May 17, 2017
RadioShack, 716 Church St. The Evanston location will be closing soon amid financial struggles for the national electronics retailer.

RadioShack to shut its doors in Evanston

May 15, 2017
Cicely Fleming (9th) is sworn into office at a meeting on Monday. Fleming said she believes there is historic diversity in city government this year.

Historic diversity on new City Council, school boards

May 11, 2017
City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz speaks at a City Council meeting. Aldermen on Monday authorized Bobkiewicz to restart negotiations over the possible sale of a city-owned parking lot near the Evanston Public Library.

City to reopen negotiations over sale of library parking lot

May 9, 2017
Evanston/Skokie School District 65 board president Suni Kartha at a meeting last week. Kartha assumed a one-year term as president last week, unseating former president Candance Chow.

New D65 board president looks beyond budget problems

May 7, 2017
Mary Signatur, chair of the Commission on Aging. Commission members expressed concerns Thursday over affordable housing in Evanston.

Commission on Aging members express concerns over affordable housing in Evanston

May 5, 2017
Protesters rally earlier this year for the Women’s March on Chicago. On Tuesday, the Illinois House passed a bill to protect abortions and allow tax money to go toward the procedure.

Illinois House passes measure to protect, expand abortion access

April 25, 2017
Ald. Eleanor Revelle (7th) at a meeting. Revelle introduced a resolution that aldermen approved Monday opposing President Donald Trump’s proposed increase for military spending.

Aldermen oppose high military spending in Trump budget

April 25, 2017
Evanston Police Department, 1454 Elmwood Ave. A former Evanston police detective was accused of assisting the Organización de Narcotraficantes Unidos by providing firearms.

Despite slight drop in gun violence, local leaders say more work remains

April 23, 2017
Ald. Judy Fiske (1st) speaks at a City Council meeting. Fiske on Monday expressed concern about a new plan to expand the downtown Evanston area.

City Council debates expansion of downtown area, advertising policies

April 18, 2017
Attendees at a kickoff event for Go Evanston last week. Go Evanston formed to encourage sustainable transportation projects and safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and others in Evanston.

New Evanston group pushes for sustainable transportation, safety

April 12, 2017
Protesters at a rally at O’Hare International Airport on Tuesday. Various Chicago organizations gathered to demand accountability from United Airlines after a passenger was forcibly removed from a flight last weekend.

Chicago groups demand changes for United, aviation officers after viral video portrays violent removal

April 11, 2017
Gov. Bruce Rauner declares victory on election night celebration in 2014. Rauner unveiled plans recently to combat hate crimes in Illinois.

Rauner aims to combat hate crimes, anti-Semitic attacks in Illinois

April 11, 2017

Bill to allow for dissolution of certain Illinois townships

April 6, 2017
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill) looks on as Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill) accepts victory in her race for the Senate. A Monday petition calls on the two senators to reject President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for the Department of Homeland Security.

Activists call for Durbin, Duckworth to oppose Trump’s Homeland Security budget

April 3, 2017
9th Ward aldermanic candidate Cicely Fleming speaks in University Hall (left). The other candidate, Shawn Jones, speaks at an aldermanic forum earlier this year (right).

Two candidates vie to replace Miller in 9th Ward

April 3, 2017
The Evanston Water Plant, 555 Lincoln St., is at the center of the city’s water system. The Morton Grove-Niles Water Commission was approved earlier this month.

Morton Grove, Niles form water commission to handle Evanston water deal

March 29, 2017
A cannabis leaf. Legislation introduced last week would legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois to help ease the budget deficit.

Lawmakers propose legalizing recreational marijuana to help ease budget deficit

March 29, 2017
Ald. Judy Fiske (1st) attends a council meeting. Fiske asked city staff earlier this year to look into whether Evanston buildings bought by Northwestern must remain on the city's tax roll.

Newly-bought Northwestern building to stay off city tax rolls

March 15, 2017
Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl speaks at a council meeting. Tisdahl delivered her final

Tisdahl talks affordable housing, police relations at final ‘State of the City’ address as mayor

March 11, 2017
Deputy City Manager Kimberly Richardson speaks at a 2017 meeting. Evanston will see a budget shortfall of $12 million in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a city official said on Wednesday.

Residents raise concerns as city forms citizen complaint group

March 3, 2017
Khadine Bennett speaks at a forum hosted by State Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) and State Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston). Panelist told the audience advocacy groups are doubling their efforts to combat policies from the new presidential administration.

Panel discusses civil liberties in Trump era

February 28, 2017
City clerk candidate Devon Reid speaks at the Democratic Party of Evanston’s endorsement meeting on Sunday. DPOE members voted to endorse Reid at the meeting.

Evanston Democrats vote to endorse Devon Reid for clerk, but no mayoral candidates

February 21, 2017
The Democratic Party of Evanston held an endorsement meeting on Sunday. The tally of votes will be released tomorrow, officials said.

Evanston Democrats hold vote on candidate endorsements

February 20, 2017
State Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) speaks at a town hall in January. Biss introduced a bill that would create a rank-based voting system for several offices in Illinois.

Biss introduces ranked-choice voting bill

February 16, 2017
The Evanston Water Plant, 555 Lincoln St., is at the center of the city’s water system. The city is currently in talks with Skokie to reach a renewed agreement on a water deal.

Evanston, Skokie officials hope to reach water deal by end of month

February 14, 2017
Ald. Brian Miller (9th) speaks at a forum for mayoral candidates Thursday evening. The three candidates in attendance discussed how to work with state and federal officials and town-gown relations in the future at a forum Thursday evening.

Mayoral candidates discuss relationship with state, federal officials

February 10, 2017
State Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) speaks at a town hall last month. Biss said in a December hearing that government had a responsibility to care for the vulnerable.

State lawmakers introduce bills addressing group homes for adults with disabilities

February 8, 2017
Mayoral candidate Gary Gaspard formally kicks off his campaign at Curts Cafe, 2922 Central St., on Jan. 22. Gaspard wants to unite the city and increase affordable housing.

In race for mayor, Gary Gaspard aims to build off work mentoring youth

February 1, 2017
Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks to his supporters after he was elected governor of Illinois on Nov. 4, 2014. Rauner said he was

State Attorney General Lisa Madigan seeks to halt state employee pay

January 27, 2017
Gov. Bruce Rauner after his first address as governor in 2015. Rauner urged bipartisan action in his “State of the State” address on Wednesday.

Rauner expresses optimism in State of the State address

January 26, 2017
The Evanston Water Treatment Plant is at the center of the city’s water system. A proposed agreement would send water from Evanston to the villages of Niles and Morton Grove.

City on path to finalize water supply agreement with neighboring villages

January 24, 2017
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan holds a press conference in Chicago in 2011. Madigan filed a lawsuit against the nation’s largest student loan provider this week.

State attorney general sues student loan provider

January 20, 2017
(Maytham Alzayer/The Daily Northwestern) State Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) speaks at a town hall on Tuesday. Biss urged attendees to engage in politics.

State Sen. Daniel Biss urges citizens to speak up in 2017 at town hall

January 18, 2017
Washington Elementary School is a part of Evanston/Skokie District 65. The board approved teacher contract on Monday after months of tense negotiations.

State lawmakers pass bill requiring lead testing in schools, daycare centers

January 13, 2017
City manager Wally Bobkiewicz attends a city meeting. Bobkiewicz said the city was trying to keep up with current practices in an ordinance passed Monday that changes Evanston Farmers’ Market rules.

City Council approves updated rules for farmers’ market

January 10, 2017
Mayoral candidate Steve Hagerty at his campaign kick-off event in October. Hagerty is one of five candidates in the mayoral race, which is scheduled to have a primary in February.

Candidates rush to campaign for unexpected February primary

January 6, 2017

Illinois Senate passes automatic voter registration bill

May 24, 2016

Group submits signatures for Illinois redistricting amendment

May 16, 2016

City expands storefront modernization assistance

May 10, 2016

City, local unions may start new contract negotiations soon as budget crisis continues

May 2, 2016

Rauner approves emergency funding for Illinois higher education

April 25, 2016
Despite tight-knit community, 9th Ward residents still looking for economic expansion, better access to city resources

Despite tight-knit community, 9th Ward residents still looking for economic expansion, better access to city resources

April 21, 2016

Prison lawsuit bill passes Illinois Senate

April 10, 2016
U.S. Sen Mark Kirk receives a ballot to vote Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at a Highwood, Ill., recreation center. Kirk was the first GOP senator to meet President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee.

Sen. Mark Kirk meets with U.S. Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland

March 30, 2016

City decides against ban on non-Evanston bakers at farmers’ market

March 30, 2016
Block 7: 80's Workout Video

Block 7: 80’s Workout Video

March 5, 2016

Evanston listed among top green power users by Environmental Protection Agency

March 1, 2016

Federal judge dismisses Evanston’s lawsuit in James Park gas case

February 26, 2016
Dr. Gilo Kwesi Logan leads a discussion about diversity and inclusion efforts from the Evanston Police Department at the Levy Center, 300 Dodge Ave., on Tuesday night. More than 50 residents, officers and city officials attended the event.

Residents discuss Evanston Police Department’s diversity, suggest improvements at town-hall discussion

February 24, 2016
A new Mediterranean and Italian-style restaurant, Terra & Vine, is moving into the former space of Bravo Cucina Italiana, 1701 Maple Ave., sometime later this year. Chicago restaurateur and local celebrity Alpana Singh, known for her appearance on the dining show “Check, Please!” will co-own the restaurant with her business partner Matt Fisher.

Chicago sommelier, TV personality to open restaurant in Evanston

February 18, 2016

Local nanobrewery to open new tap room

February 10, 2016
Evanston is served by both Chicago Transit Authority elevated train lines and buses. Crime on CTA trains and buses was reported to have decreased by 25 percent during 2015, but Evanston saw a minor increase in offenses.

Crime on CTA down overall in 2015, up slightly on Evanston CTA property

February 3, 2016

YWCA begins awareness campaign to clarify its work and mission

January 27, 2016
A plow clears away piles of snow during a blizzard that swept through the Chicago area last February. The storm ranked as the area’s fifth worst snowstorm in history and caused Evanston to declare a snow emergency for two days.

Lack of December snowfall saves city thousands of dollars

January 21, 2016

Niles and Morton Grove hire consulting firm to study alternative option in Evanston water deal

January 13, 2016
Larger Evanston stores like CVS no longer provide consumers with free disposable plastic bags. The ban was passed in July 2014 and aimed to eliminate plastic bags completely by August 2015.

City’s plastic bag ban off to smooth start

January 8, 2016
A man rides his bike in a buffered bike lane. The city has introduced several new programs, such as the “Let’s Roll Together” campaign, to encourage safe biking.

Evanston promotes bike safety to reduce accidents, tickets

May 29, 2015
Goldfish Swim School provides specialized swim instruction to infants and children. The facility opened Thursday at 2008 Dempster St.

Swim school for infants, children opens in West Village neighborhood

May 25, 2015
Landscape architect Ryan Kettelkamp speaks Thursday at the public meeting for the Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary Restoration Project. City officials unveiled a preliminary design for the project at the meeting.

City officials unveil preliminary design for Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary

May 15, 2015
Evanston Public Library hired Jose Cruz, a long-time librarian and community organizer, as its new Latino Outreach Coordinator. Cruz’s main responsibility will be working with Spanish-speaking library visitors.

Community organizer steps in as EPL’s new Latino Outreach Coordinator

May 13, 2015
Dave Stoneback, Evanston's director of utilities, addresses the audience at the Green Drinks talk held at Farmhouse Evanston. Stoneback updated the audience on the city's water conservation plan.

Green Drinks event focuses on water conservation update, impact of climate change

May 7, 2015

Youth Job Center to partner with new organizations for community job fair

April 30, 2015
Grace Lee addresses an audience of about 25 following a screening of her documentary “American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs” at Evanston Public Library on Thursday. The documentary focuses on the life and work of Chinese-American civil rights activist Grace Lee Boggs.

Northwestern, Evanston Public Library host filmmaker, documentary screening

April 24, 2015
Members of the Harley Clarke Citizens Committee discuss Wednesday the future of the Harley Clarke Mansion. The committee talked about possibly creating and expanding a park district around the mansion.

Committee discusses creating park district to keep Harley Clarke Mansion public

April 16, 2015
Brian Edwards, director of Northwestern’s MENA program, addresses the audience of about 95 at the Evanston Public Library on Monday. MENA faculty members Edwards, Wendy Pearlman, Henri Lauziere and Jessica Winegar discussed four misconceptions about the Middle East.

MENA faculty discuss four myths about the Middle East

April 14, 2015
A new convenience store that will sell ethnic sweets, sandwiches and coffee is expected to open at 900 Chicago Ave. City Council will review Ad Val’s Sweet for building approval Monday and the owner plans to open within two months.

‘Ethnic’ sweets, sandwich store expected to open soon in Evanston

April 8, 2015

New Curt’s Cafe location helps at-risk young women and teenage mothers

March 30, 2015

Rotary Club of Evanston offers new grant to address community violence

March 5, 2015
Ussama Makdisi, a professor of history at Rice University, speaks Monday at the Evanston Public Library. Makdisi discussed the origins of sectarianism in the modern Middle East.

Rice University professor discusses sectarianism in Middle East

March 3, 2015

Best WildCARD Discount: Giordano’s

February 27, 2015

Evanston100 website recaps city’s 2014 success stories

February 25, 2015
Samuel Munoz, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Geography at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, speaks Sunday about the environmental history of Cahokia during the Chicago Archaeological Society’s monthly meeting at the Evanston Public Library. Munoz has studied the environment of Cahokia, a region in southern Illinois that was home to the Native American Mississippian mound-building culture.

Chicago Archaeological Society discusses environmental history of Cahokia region

February 22, 2015
Author Terra Brockman speaks about her book on sustainable, small-scale farming at the Evanston History Center. Brockman described one year on her brother’s central Illinois farm, Henry’s Farm, which sells produce at the Evanston Farmers Market.

Evanston History Center hosts author of sustainable farming memoir

February 20, 2015
The Emerson Street, Ridge Avenue and Green Bay Road intersection will be improved through the Emerson-Ridge-Green Bay Improvements Project. Options for the project were discussed at a city meeting Wednesday.

Evanston residents discuss concerns over busy intersection

February 12, 2015

Chamber of Commerce honors Evanston community members for charity work

January 28, 2015

Evanston plans series of events honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

January 15, 2015
Load More Stories