[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6271613,"mediaKeyId","3028856-0e476e0c7a504ce8f081b48ca021c5c9","parentId",3028856,"title","Council amends and advances language‑access ordinance, removes proposed ‘personal appearance’ protections","audioSeconds",1368,"startMs",7687000,"endMs",9055000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028856-0e476e0c7a504ce8f081b48ca021c5c9&start=7687&end=9055","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028856-0e476e0c7a504ce8f081b48ca021c5c9/thumbnail_7687000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6271613/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Council-amends-and-advances-languageaccess-ordinance-removes-proposed-personal-appearance-protections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271613-1132e8b1df00a62066932aba508c4844/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436927&Signature=EddWNQra3m9g01qJh7t-0yl~90fUt-9LAUs-c9y9PYEfdB3gU8ss22M5HJxk2IO-rK7P09DSJlAtycrKOwGhoXpVCrMI9ppnTINBu2rE8VaauZ3js~j44yfv~idSCd7pyqzIPKdKkIcDfFsJPJiO6VQf2JZUGfu4M-fiBtlcDmAQFspQDcXaJgZPU7GJDaWbhT0t4vBm3DLsMgQi7Nu-Awk6HztGPPFzGXyba5TyjkZmSaesGOYb2-G7KhxmcBrWyOjSypH3e6cuuIJWXoyDLehXBpJXHWf2Gko6kNofkNdr4m3tzq26fMlHRt3c3SeCpLoSuVKj9k7HIzfjFVeR7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Evanston, IL","date","2025-04-17T00:46:23.107Z","article","On April 14 the Evanston City Council amended Ordinance 33‑O‑25 to retain language‑access provisions and remove the section that would have added “personal appearance” or weight‑based protections to the city human‑rights code. Council member Reid moved the amendment to keep only language‑access language; the council approved the amendment by roll call (9–0) and then introduced the amended ordinance for future adoption.

Council debate treated the measures as two related but distinct referrals: one to add language access protections and the other to add “personal appearance” (weight/appearance) as a protected category. Council member Hetekaris introduced the combined draft; Council member Reid said he supported language access but raised legal and philosophical questions about elevating weight or personal appearance to the level of protected class status under local human‑rights law.

Reid said, “No one should be shamed, bullied, or denied basic opportunities based on how they look or what they weigh,” but he also warned that courts have been cautious about extending protected class status beyond traditional suspect classes and urged staff and council to consider whether education and training could address stigma without weakening civil‑rights legal standards.

Council members agreed to separate the two topics and to advance the language‑access ordinance. The amended ordinance (language access only) was introduced and will return on the April 28 agenda for final consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Evanston City Council Meeting 4-14-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members decoupled two referrals, amending Ordinance 33‑O‑25 to retain language‑access provisions only; an amendment to remove the personal‑appearance discrimination language passed unanimously and the revised ordinance was introduced for future adoption.","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},6271618,"Residents and commission members criticize mayor’s decision not to reappoint George Halleck to Land Use Commission",378,4843000,5221000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028856-0e476e0c7a504ce8f081b48ca021c5c9&start=4843&end=5221","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028856-0e476e0c7a504ce8f081b48ca021c5c9/thumbnail_4843000.jpg","/articles/6271618/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Residents-and-commission-members-criticize-mayors-decision-not-to-reappoint-George-Halleck-to-Land-Use-Commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271618-464492d314d576039e67961b7edefa09/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436927&Signature=ZDUY7fFv~xetgpywEm3iyfruLBTg51PjOZL605mvwm3TlY6~5s7fnacRD6sSZYDCK2mQqYYWjALxm1QNjWyt5LwDwAa~Xi8Phs0-oOIAohKFemkVKYcIh1R9UikhH8YUuEd2xVSCaljRPTy00uM5Lnwgk0jQwG9THHaDc~0xL5WqRNXTmxlUYx4tAC6zCV2hLYjlIF62tSTni77JEGJns4d08mOOblCRWAHkyDseNq7zkHZUOWpwviIkjBmrjjP6KP8aH9d9wt0lg~jMSHER658Yi4LcvWeZtvtVhYd9bsLuvV42sEf3DPKOrHoXW8FBqXXrL~byS4Ixo6zktt61yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents and community members told the council on April 14 they oppose Mayor Biss’s decision not to reappoint George Halleck to the city’s Land Use Commission and urged immediate reconsideration or greater transparency in the appointment process.

Speakers said Halleck had been deeply involved in months of work on Envision Evanston — the city’s 20‑year comprehensive plan — and that removing him midstream harms continuity. Jennifer Washburn asked the mayor to identify “the group representing a majority of council” that she said had asked him not to reappoint Halleck. She told the council the public deserves transparency about how the decision was made.

Other commenters raised concerns about the mayor’s replacement pick. John Story Williamson read a social‑media post by the mayor’s appointee that criticized public commenters, and said that the appointee had advocated eliminating single‑family zoning; he asked whether that creates an appearance of bias. Kira Kelly said more than 500 residents had signed a petition calling for Halleck’s reappointment and called the removal “disruptive” to the plan‑making process.

Paul Breslin and multiple other speakers urged the mayor to reappoint Halleck, calling him experienced and noting the importance of continuity during the comprehensive‑plan process. Speakers also asked whether the mayor consulted actual sitting council members before announcing a replacement and whether the process complied with Open Meetings Act constraints.

Mayor Biss’s earlier public comments (reported in local media and referenced by some speakers) said he had been counseled by a group representing a majority of council members; public commenters questioned who that group represented and whether the decision was political rather than merit‑based. The council did not take a formal vote on the appointment at the April 14 meeting; the mayor’s staffing decision and the public comment record are entered into the meeting minutes.","Several residents and community members used public comment to protest Mayor Biss’s decision not to reappoint Land Use Commissioner George Halleck and to question the vetting of the mayor’s appointee; speakers said the change threatens continuity during the Envision Evanston comprehensive‑plan drafting.",{"_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},6271623,"Council approves sale of 1222 Washington to ETHS for student-built affordable home amid neighborhood objections",3405,3072000,6477000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028856-0e476e0c7a504ce8f081b48ca021c5c9&start=3072&end=6477","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028856-0e476e0c7a504ce8f081b48ca021c5c9/thumbnail_3072000.jpg","/articles/6271623/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Council-approves-sale-of-1222-Washington-to-ETHS-for-student-built-affordable-home-amid-neighborhood-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271623-441ec7aeccf387e5368d6e30b5844068/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436927&Signature=mCeLwPB7AeKjsMnzPaMVSWwelB4XVgAut-KOJ0VLfPPOUn~93DnuC1i8YDPhJwNKDcTQpOhPvMQFNJlt3XFDUGWWe5xPtsfgA~FsQJJ7E3lwV0LK7CnpsewfxVds8cHBX3zCvYmB9yIWJsjtEBrp1BMwmELQ9FKzeL4Lv4tBiEVMjp4SLnJwQZNOzvuy8xgwn5ykpcDKRxnRSnZioHHNO5wXOa4omvaR5qRTGFMXOAkOfZg5O7OIj35dQiebSLrHVHev8NMvUolg0NoT7PA2xFbr2Ytogeh~8d9qPpTphcUVKzJV5n2-ZX0V463FtlwoLEid7M-rEeFkiiIRAmgDSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Evanston City Council voted 8–1 on April 14 to approve Ordinance 29-O-25 authorizing sale of the city-owned parcel at 1222 Washington Street to Evanston Township High School (ETHS) for use by the school's Geometry & Construction program. The vote followed extended public comment in which neighbors urged the site be preserved as a community garden for local children and the Lydia Home (formerly Rice Center).

Council member Neussmann moved the ordinance to authorize the sale; the motion was seconded and, after debate, passed by roll call with eight voting in favor and one opposed. Council discussion addressed the competing aims of producing affordable housing through a longstanding ETHS program and neighborhood requests for additional green space and tree canopy.

Residents who spoke opposed the sale and asked the council to delay or to instead create a community garden. Chelsea Elward, who lives across the street from the lot, urged councilors to “don’t cut down the trees” and said the parcel would “be a legit green space” used by local children and the Lydia Home. Joe Cirillo and several neighbors read letters from Lydia Home staff and former residents describing therapeutic and educational benefits from nearby green space.

Supporters of the sale said the Geometry & Construction program is a cost‑effective way to create permanently affordable homes and to teach trades to ETHS students. Council member Hedekaris (spoke in support) described the program as “probably one of the best things we do here as a community,” and noted the Land Use Commission previously approved the lot split needed for the project. Council members who voted in favor said the house will remain affordable in perpetuity through a land trust and argued the small, single‑family home will not produce the traffic or parking consequences opponents warned about.

Council members and staff also discussed mitigation steps: landscaping and native plantings, a possible curb cut for off‑street parking, and partnering with community volunteers to complete site landscaping after construction. City staff said ETHS and community partners typically perform landscaping when student-built homes are finished.

The ordinance authorizes the city manager to execute a sale contract to ETHS. The council record shows an 8–1 tally; Council member Suffreddan cast the lone no vote. The purchaser is ETHS; the property will be used for the Geometry & Construction program home and will be governed by the land trust and affordability terms agreed in the sale contract.","The council approved Ordinance 29-O-25 to sell city-owned lot at 1222 Washington Street to Evanston Township High School for its Geometry & Construction program; neighbors urged a community garden and raised stormwater, tree‑canopy and access concerns during public comment.",{"_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},6271627,"Evanston council approves honorary boulevard name for former mayor Elizabeth Tisdale",2148,65000,2213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028856-0e476e0c7a504ce8f081b48ca021c5c9&start=65&end=2213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028856-0e476e0c7a504ce8f081b48ca021c5c9/thumbnail_65000.jpg","/articles/6271627/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Evanston-council-approves-honorary-boulevard-name-for-former-mayor-Elizabeth-Tisdale","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271627-3189d354e1a0078d27b96be368f9de0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436927&Signature=bwifRZfaupQSgULjdNHNxuu-JkxJqfNLe6sGwlqWZQZrQnyAL9ipLCj6eg7RLuCJL6MaPGIm9V~vmnVul5My1smjFwtmR7hNl2YaQvCAhXTCyIxxZyFbOWI-RhJjRDvuYCMekySu2Ox0Ek3HWmx2iVQH4BAtfGTU3p68g-zyeJszrWsJy6yWw~QZaXb4wYiz40oJINtsZNwziZVOs4lDmAFbWwWpnR9QdRtObnVS~U0bbRIWm2BIw037ILnutvDL8wl5pAJk2TjCVDD8tMv7JX5-DKDjooxoM4DT-~F5Yq-OV~-VRXD3VhVDpW5l2eJlezNn5Evth95NnuY7Rs0QjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Evanston City Council on April 14 voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 32-R-25, creating an honorary boulevard name in recognition of former Mayor Elizabeth Tisdale.

The vote came after a series of public comments and tributes from elected officials and residents describing Tisdale’s long record of public service. The council adopted the resolution by voice and roll call, with nine members voting in favor and none opposed.

Supporters told the council the designation recognizes Tisdale’s role in expanding health care access, affordable housing and youth programs in Evanston. Kevin Brown, a resident who spoke during public comment, said, “She built enduring partnerships with our schools, our nonprofit community, and businesses, and she created a citywide youth engagement strategy that continues to shape Evanston’s young people today.” Nathan Norman, another speaker, said Mayor Tisdale “has left an indelible mark on the Evanston community.”

Several elected officials also addressed Tisdale’s work on sustainability and neighborhood stabilization. Council member Ravel moved adoption of the resolution; Council member Harris seconded the motion. After public comment and brief remarks from council members, the clerk recorded the roll call with nine yes votes and no votes against; the mayor announced the resolution passed.

The council planned a public unveiling; Mayor Biss noted the city will schedule and publicize the dedication event. The resolution itself lists a set of accomplishments credited to Tisdale and directs city staff to proceed with the honorary street‑name signage program.

The measure does not change any official street name used for addressing, and the resolution establishes only an honorary designation and the associated signage.","The Evanston City Council unanimously approved Resolution 32-R-25 to designate an honorary boulevard name for former mayor Elizabeth Tisdale after a series of public tributes at the April 14 meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council amends and advances language‑access ordinance, removes proposed ‘personal appearance’ protections

Residents and commission members criticize mayor’s decision not to reappoint George Halleck to Land Use Commission

Council approves sale of 1222 Washington to ETHS for student-built affordable home amid neighborhood objections

Evanston council approves honorary boulevard name for former mayor Elizabeth Tisdale