[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6085063,"mediaKeyId","2905990-35784c4105143417aa795804642fe2be","parentId",2905990,"title","Committee places 2024 Health and Human Services annual report on file; staff says wellness program is in design phase","audioSeconds",149,"startMs",1489000,"endMs",1638000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905990-35784c4105143417aa795804642fe2be&start=1489&end=1638","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905990-35784c4105143417aa795804642fe2be/thumbnail_1489000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085063/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Committee-places-2024-Health-and-Human-Services-annual-report-on-file-staff-says-wellness-program-is-in-design-phase","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085063-c3ce461fb00bbdbe8cc3077aedbd8de7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121668&Signature=cUlT30Q4z5hcukDJ-cGH0-bjI57HCIwhAttDsq0iFEw3N9UQj~fhyOH0sGOJ5PdKFuNNP3zJv-OSFYLRBk2T8PRfTwM0MfjSnDMj8myHiP-dbn7KV-O9nX6hYQWmATcy7RGXjhQZ4HvDG39~Mi0Ql2pGVf1y5Zkl~6y8WEGIoZa2UtpTmg69pCzEFUUiWN4y5tZlx8Qy5VowEBzG6eA4PMR96QqpdH~CSU9~UcKztNbjmdxKrk1lqFilB4dFKgelTUqpbfea4I73hcyItfLejYRlLHVTvtHlEGlXxWIbytT~ZrbWLV0rN6jJ6iYJrCmOdJBh0f-UlHEieCNlXJzpGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Evanston, IL","date","2025-04-09T05:59:09.587Z","article","The Human Services Committee voted April 7 to accept and place on file the Health and Human Services 2024 annual report.

During the short discussion, Council member Veil asked about the status of a wellness program approved last year. A staff member responding to the question said the program \"is a program that we continue to work on. We're currently in the design phase. And the hope is that it will be established in a few months,\" and that partners have been engaged to support implementation.

With no further questions, the committee took the motion to place the report on file.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Human Services Committee Meeting 4-7-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee accepted the Health and Human Services 2024 annual report and asked for a brief update on the city'supported wellness program, which staff said is in the design phase and expected to be established in coming months.","taxTitle","Evanston, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",2640,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085068,"Committee advances two Fair Employment ordinances, combines code amendments for council review",379,4361000,4740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905990-35784c4105143417aa795804642fe2be&start=4361&end=4740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905990-35784c4105143417aa795804642fe2be/thumbnail_4361000.jpg","/articles/6085068/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Committee-advances-two-Fair-Employment-ordinances-combines-code-amendments-for-council-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085068-cd5580273d2e861cee24ed2a870377a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121668&Signature=KbE1qjQ6fCCkSnxVgXq~UW4KysrXgw5olcBDdEKsvdAsS~Vd7CeMUdRIbBxWpeRnTAa0ZEu6Hs5PwBkW1oLTgnK8IPyTZlgPhOThJFZ~BtXMOhaC33k13pDGw8tIpytbqp2JHdnt5q~rBHwbYPw~ktQad-gtpNiCJfFMgL9vpUNVHWApvLz~Rvec7a3qCwS5HHl82xpSkXNq6d24zXWgcUzewsbGeP28VDi9t73dfesmNiq8tfUFOhO7qkbnArKZBGRsFmBn~SC6oho91DGT5MTFRXb6Nllfmxu-AO-oqkH9Guvz3vt276CmKZdR8a0-povZmM~wnh9deSv4f9PTCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Human Services Committee on April 7 moved two ordinances amending Title 1, Chapter 12 (Fair Employment Practices) and related code sections, and voted to combine the two amendments for presentation to the City Council.

Council member Ravel moved the ordinance related to fair employment practices (identified in the meeting as \"ordinance 30 three'twenty 5\"). Later, a separate amendment addressing language access and other sections (described as \"ordinance 36.025\") was presented. Staff advised that both ordinances touch the same chapters and that combining them would simplify administration and municipal code updates.

Robertson Young, chief legislative policy adviser, confirmed that the existing code language definition for \"age\" (currently limited to individuals \"at least 40 years of age but less than 65 years of age\") was not being changed by the proposed ordinance and said staff could review that section further if the committee requested. Alison Leipzinger, policy manager, recommended consolidating the two docketed items so the Municode updates and enforcement language would be handled together.

The committee voted to combine the two ordinances and then moved the combined item forward to City Council.","The committee voted to advance two ordinances amending the city's Fair Employment Practices code and related language access provisions, and agreed to combine the two ordinance texts for a single council filing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085072,"Residents and council press for property-tax \"circuit breaker\" study as affordability concerns mount",4698,381000,5079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905990-35784c4105143417aa795804642fe2be&start=381&end=5079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905990-35784c4105143417aa795804642fe2be/thumbnail_381000.jpg","/articles/6085072/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Residents-and-council-press-for-property-tax-circuit-breaker-study-as-affordability-concerns-mount","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085072-52b2e080cad253fdf8b08d8322015c7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121668&Signature=cfGQpaKCaytTQXnULZt~~iyHnqzgXauesGnxzJwdHBqPT5d4xsHCamOAAhPULlflArpW2O4sFnbCkVFCK5XCs6la5e6WIgcMEFO9u5Ib79TvlkatCFr0mryLt0X~VNFalDZvgIjj0BJewuhQDlUAQrkLJQ2KAll171LBE-Z~Diq2ZuMxvxkwTC6FCygXRxbCNYyGTA-81v~6guxplkXusXoDs-sMNj2UlUBlsFd3NyK4LEUgdP9F3u7SeHNn7ckPObV2cuhryhBePR4gHI6Mcyy680HD1qJtw7W6rf5RKssKh-xuKCNWZyutZRRxEGms6YAr5OakiWa6Rd8DKjRGQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple public commenters at the April 7 Human Services Committee meeting urged the city to pursue a property'tax circuit breaker to prevent long'term residents from being displaced by rising property taxes.

Speakers including Tina Paden, Malika Gardner and Tricia Conley described the program as a local subsidy to preserve long'time residents' ability to stay in Evanston. Paden, who said her family has lived in the same home since 1915, said residents \"that are seniors and marginalized persons\" are being priced out and argued a circuit breaker would help older homeowners on fixed incomes. Gardner, who said she has worked on community engagement and education legislation, asked the committee to \"table this for now, not to delay progress, but to get it right,\" and recommended additional research and public vetting.

Council members discussed where the idea should be developed. Council member Kelly (sponsoring the referral) and other members said the measure is best considered within the city'wide strategic housing plan so it can be weighed against other affordability tools and funding sources. Kelly noted existing efforts to preserve affordability, including a rental subsidy program funded by ARPA and a recent agreement with Northwestern that will direct $15,000,000 to the city over 30 years for housing-related uses. Kelly also cited an inventory of privately owned affordable units with expiring restrictions (an estimate of roughly \"200, 300\" potentially affected units) and said the city has added funding sources for the affordable housing fund.

Some council members pushed for faster action. One member said the issue is \"urgent\" for residents who cannot wait months for a planning cycle and asked staff to provide data quickly. Committee members agreed staff should bring data and coordinate with ACDC (the city's affordable housing development committee) and HCDC (Housing & Community Development Committee) and with Finance and Budget on how a circuit'breaker concept could be funded and implemented.

No formal vote to create a program was taken; committee members discussed referring the concept to HCDC and coordinating it with the strategic housing planning process. Staff said they have existing data from the assessor and other sources and will present a fuller data set and timeline in coming weeks.

The committee noted that program design decisions (eligibility, benefit level, funding source, and whether benefits target homeowners or renters) remain open and will require further committee review and public engagement.","Public commenters urged a property-tax circuit breaker to help long-time Evanston homeowners on fixed incomes; committee members and staff agreed the proposal merits more data and likely belongs in the city'wide strategic housing planning process, with additional review by HCDC and Finance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085075,"Human Services Committee approves honorary street name for former Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl",4309,92000,4401000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905990-35784c4105143417aa795804642fe2be&start=92&end=4401","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905990-35784c4105143417aa795804642fe2be/thumbnail_92000.jpg","/articles/6085075/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Human-Services-Committee-approves-honorary-street-name-for-former-Mayor-Elizabeth-Tisdahl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085075-c58ff62e522814530331541615c00097/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121668&Signature=cgvxH6cwv-p-qBK3UWFOc-IXA13o0FtyQO0C0tZN3VOmp4Lo66lUcnV08ZRXuKwvd7WJhyzNdZ0XS5Zh3rV2sMEDsUKBBZf3LVnoZN1hlISBAtEZn5Di8w44A56s8qo5DNdM3GrxoHDdza7V1zBu6knW6RoM1VEiaLFSV2MdkgEJe~s7t3lpCjLoux0QnZawOFRwqugTz9wMQnpjDj2B2~YDzrVL2y3c2ipa9r2ZsoixtmtA5Bui5ld723Ph~vzBfdV-kITIZjbYCgaYwUFdEFtUK3J9UtFZUIBgh71GrodgF4AbxNP70zENrqoijpfEBjWVOUpLcUAzKpqB3J17Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Evanston Human Services Committee voted April 7 to approve an honorary street-name designation honoring former Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl.

The resolution (32 R 25) drew multiple public remarks in support before the committee vote. Kevin Brown praised Tisdahl's leadership and youth programs, saying she \"expanded the mayor's summer youth employment program to unprecedented levels, earning national recognition.\" Nikki Pearson and Mary Gavin also outlined Tisdahl's roles in local government and community organizations, citing her work to bring a health center to Evanston and to expand intergovernmental partnerships.

Committee members expressed broad support for the resolution. One council member described Tisdahl as \"such a major figure for our community, done so many wonderful things for the community in many different roles, City, school board, Alderman, and then as mayor.\" The committee recorded an aye vote and moved the resolution forward to the city council process.

The decision will place an honorary street sign recognizing Tisdahl's public service; the resolution text and final placement details will be processed through the city's signage and public works procedures.","The committee unanimously approved Resolution 32 R 25 to install an honorary street name in recognition of former Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl after public comment in support.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085076,"Evanston committee pauses decision on private-property tree-variance rule, seeks clearer standards",2637,1639000,4276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905990-35784c4105143417aa795804642fe2be&start=1639&end=4276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905990-35784c4105143417aa795804642fe2be/thumbnail_1639000.jpg","/articles/6085076/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Evanston-committee-pauses-decision-on-private-property-tree-variance-rule-seeks-clearer-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085076-f559e047b08bb89b1a8ed1af065ac123/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121668&Signature=IOrs9iDZH32-xMCdlnhAW~yMeionRE4RS3RPcOOoxl6TexX4njB~jJMNwmwV67ItrLMr-fpl9rwBMb0X0C87BBT4mcQTx03Z2oo0wHLuoeTkwfxp4vp648C8GyAkuHhpBt7H3u16jqsq69Pouk8Aq00dIqv9a9hMnfJQPHNX1JKeK~Uy1y6ixrG0BDXborIjM9gZzgFldF5lKgqzTK4UDqHarG74BKKfJaOZ8WHJ7w7OgmdMI~5VeLA9pTpaKdzl86KONm1OTE044moGQ8cYbUhGRo~WvDNKUvHbAUU2CMkBTaO37pOw2~w8JHt~SSUxZYZ4Wt1iksBhfbB9AFXwAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Evanston Human Services Committee on April 7 paused action on a homeowner'initiated variance under the city'wide tree preservation ordinance and asked staff to develop clearer standards and comparative data before the committee decides.

The committee opened a staff presentation on the ordinance from Angela La Vernier, the city's tree preservation coordinator, who described the rules and goals behind the measure. La Vernier summarized the ordinance's intent: \"The Climate Action Resilience and Resilience Plan, of course, was passed in 2018, which has an urban canopy and green space action,\" and said the ordinance treats trees as long'term infrastructure requiring canopy preservation.

The discussion focused both on how the city processes removal requests and on one homeowner'led appeal. La Vernier described the two permit paths: removals tied to building permits are reviewed as part of construction review, and stand'alone removal permits can be processed by the city arborist; if a tree is not dead, diseased or hazardous, an applicant may appeal to the Human Services Committee. She told the committee the city receives roughly \"about 250\" tree removal permit requests a year and that \"probably 10 or 15\" of those have been denied; only two variance applications had been submitted so far.

A homeowner who identified herself as Christina described a volunteer elm on her property that she said now leans roughly \"at, like, a 45 degree angle\" toward her neighbor's garage. She said she had replanted other trees on the lot and asked that the committee allow removal before the tree grew larger and posed higher future costs.

Committee members and staff pressed for more data and a more objective rubric to guide future decisions. Council member Harris cited insurance-related claims and rate increases some residents have reported and asked whether a city assessment can be used by homeowners to contest insurer decisions. La Vernier recommended a paid tree risk assessment as a common next step and offered to collect local price estimates for the committee. She also said the city treats street elms on a regular schedule: \"The city treats their their elm trees every year, every 2 years,\" adding that cultivars vary in resistance to Dutch elm disease.

Committee members asked staff to compare experiences and rules with neighboring North Shore communities, to produce a side'by'side rubric or checklist for variance submissions, and to return with cost estimates for independent risk assessments. After extended discussion about committee authority, appeal routes and timing, the committee voted to table HS3 (the tree'protection variation request under Ordinance 15 O 23) to the next regular Human Services meeting so staff could provide the requested materials.

The committee and staff also discussed procedural pathways if the committee were split on a variance: a denial could be appealed to the city manager within five days and then to City Council.

The committee set expectations that the next packet should include a proposed rubric, permit and variance counts, and comparisons with neighboring municipalities to guide consistent decision making.","The Human Services Committee heard staff and residents debate a new private-property tree preservation ordinance and a homeowner'initiated variance request before voting to table formal action while staff develops clearer standards and comparative data.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee places 2024 Health and Human Services annual report on file; staff says wellness program is in design phase

Committee advances two Fair Employment ordinances, combines code amendments for council review

Residents and council press for property-tax "circuit breaker" study as affordability concerns mount

Human Services Committee approves honorary street name for former Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl

Evanston committee pauses decision on private-property tree-variance rule, seeks clearer standards