[{"_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",6204873,"mediaKeyId","3777732-ab5e7d51ea10a0139d088cfa347063a8","parentId",3777732,"title","Council adopts ordinance to install four‑way stop at Harrison and Ewing","audioSeconds",28,"startMs",5191000,"endMs",5219000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3777732-ab5e7d51ea10a0139d088cfa347063a8&start=5191&end=5219","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3777732-ab5e7d51ea10a0139d088cfa347063a8/thumbnail_5191000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6204873/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Council-adopts-ordinance-to-install-fourway-stop-at-Harrison-and-Ewing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204873-4a859f3122aee7085be23c3dac67166a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770869594&Signature=bok9nhF9Ye4rdc200An4fSsiy4WO8hsmEDdTUYFpiRGA1zu6kCzrKX3SxdVOxNo4TZhvmoMV9gmz8blW6k-tW2Iz~MPz4pJl~V072e86lJ0gZKDCvIJpdaLisub3der6Um1~~C320-7XzA21R~aEd~l8Q9hfUxHN-ITDwUEKu1WH9RQhWJHA0EQpT5xZRoDOnCr~ELvFoLaOnJ5VYNfYFP9Dd7rWA2LYf0mwFnvu4E1Gts~evf1nBGHgjnXKyf2O-4l4zO6myxDZIZMnQJrDRHF3LsgJAlNvv6wapN2jyD5EDGcU4l2gYnpapeRWp~aD9XAGzjryzAX697WmBbJosQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Evanston, IL","date","2025-06-12T01:05:01.267Z","article","The Evanston City Council adopted an ordinance to add a four‑way stop at the intersection of Harrison and Ewing.

Council member Evan Suffredan moved to suspend rules to allow introduction and final action on the ordinance in a single meeting; the motion to suspend rule 20.1 was approved unanimously. Council member Suffredan then moved passage of Ordinance 44‑O‑25, which the council adopted by unanimous roll call.

Council members said the stop followed a petition from neighbors and public testimony describing frequent near‑misses and blind approaches created by overflow parking. A petitioner, Katie Dunn, described neighborhood concern and delivered a petition signed by about 30 neighbors asking the city to install a four‑way stop at the intersection.

Outcome: Ordinance 44‑O‑25 was adopted by a unanimous vote and will be implemented by the city’s traffic and engineering staff.

Why it matters: The change is a neighborhood traffic‑safety measure approved at council after public comment and committee review; staff will schedule the field work needed to implement new signage.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Evanston City Council Meeting 5-27-2025 (Introduction & regular meeting)","oneSentenceSummary","After suspending rules to allow introduction and action in a single meeting, the City Council adopted Ordinance 44‑O‑25 to add a four‑way stop at the intersection of Harrison and Ewing streets.","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},6204878,"Residents and students call on Evanston officials to condemn anti‑Black harassment at Table 2 Sticks",274,2202000,2476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3777732-ab5e7d51ea10a0139d088cfa347063a8&start=2202&end=2476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3777732-ab5e7d51ea10a0139d088cfa347063a8/thumbnail_2202000.jpg","/articles/6204878/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Residents-and-students-call-on-Evanston-officials-to-condemn-antiBlack-harassment-at-Table-2-Sticks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204878-5fae04d2406f7c45b3695832de4c6331/orig.mp4?Expires=1770869594&Signature=QN4~-RLw0V9wkyaciUtGzWmCONZjLRj~NeZBElD3y8jhAwfLoXOR3me1zq8Uue2ZLdonvgYHJfM5n0tjgSqyHpAc2OOBt1rucI5xpKt8XnoF8sDU2Veu-9tX1WakMI7zAVLLKJJPZ0KVdAuTiczuKklZJIRoUuoVOod6P7txe3U8biJ4-7HgX1da5eo-y039KAlBnaehQS6GVEreIiPy68exLmMq23WToBJPXuHIiEQMMHtOO4b0bbhCUyb-Diy9wBbPTso8NZrulDouwdCVBk~5b2Rsj-IjaO3BiJYNwCYJmJDIoZ1hNpCoWLD~gEtMyG-sSgfx~rD5wAJR07VQLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents and Northwestern students used public comment at the Evanston City Council meeting to demand an official response after an incident at a local restaurant they described as anti‑Black harassment.

Roy Zhu, a graduating Northwestern senior, told council: “Evanston is a city that lifts itself up through performative measures, like passing limited reparations for Black homeowners, while refusing to help low‑income Black and brown tenants.” Zhu urged the council to “establish guidelines for revoking business licenses from owners who repeatedly violate community standards and release a statement condemning anti‑Blackness.”

Sanjana Rajesh, a senior at Northwestern, described the incident in which an employee allegedly chased and harassed a young Black man for not tipping enough and tied the episode to broader concerns about housing insecurity, policing and workplace discrimination. “No one from the city council released a statement condemning Chau's actions,” Rajesh said, calling for accountability and material policy changes to address anti‑Blackness in Evanston.

Other commenters asked why the city had been silent after the widely shared incident and urged elected officials, including the mayor and aldermen, to facilitate community dialogue and take concrete steps to prevent similar incidents. Speakers recommended that the city consider stricter rules for business conduct, relocation assistance when businesses relocate low‑income tenants, and clearer enforcement options for repeated violations.

Outcome: The comments were part of the public comment period; no formal council action or resolution condemning the incident was recorded during the meeting. Several council members acknowledged the concerns and said they would review the issues raised and consider follow‑up avenues.

Why it matters: Commenters argued the episode is part of a pattern of disparate treatment and discrimination they say affects Black residents' safety and access to services in Evanston; the remarks add public pressure on council to consider policy responses or statements of condemnation.","Multiple public commenters urged the city to condemn and respond to an incident at Table 2 Sticks and to adopt stronger accountability measures for businesses accused of racial harassment.",{"_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},6204883,"Council approves TIF assistance for FreeFlow Kitchen after debate over guarantees and mentorship",1631,5200000,6831000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3777732-ab5e7d51ea10a0139d088cfa347063a8&start=5200&end=6831","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3777732-ab5e7d51ea10a0139d088cfa347063a8/thumbnail_5200000.jpg","/articles/6204883/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Council-approves-TIF-assistance-for-FreeFlow-Kitchen-after-debate-over-guarantees-and-mentorship","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204883-7879e2e3726852f841e53732543f9d18/orig.mp4?Expires=1770869594&Signature=HF61XCDn0RTtCqnYWmYxx-GhI-KpMZ0CPOKATBavdUGPAZJlY-Ifh0ar39kntUVIxUBM3RYfgIvL~JwMYCnYDTwIo-h8ndA04~KvOcVRwkg6uZJHHJJpKioKctZFrcK0RIMbws7IaYTTWDCfbdgePsXPDN7IMJuAvc8~7oytXCjuuQ7HG3FwpiIw9eXrmD8iNBWEznT7uQ8~1Z6RJW1viSfdl0E-yCnKq1dkp7DpxQV0s6Ru3luAG50goilRnHMnXhGkdmzmBXMFV~mE0SZ0UM~6WTJW0Oz4nAcvStkEKqOYEVG0AJJa1h-YBlqLNXtPFc3sAedwRysSwrs1yaKkFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Evanston City Council approved financial assistance of up to $82,510 to FreeFlow Kitchen for TIF‑eligible leasehold improvements, including a partial forgivable amount and a loan component, after extended debate over whether recipients should sign personal guarantees.

Council member Burns moved approval of the assistance and Council member Harris seconded. Economic Development staff described the package as a mix of a forgivable grant aligned with a 25% public investment guideline and a loan at a favorable interest rate intended to support an M/WBE‑owned business in a TIF district. Paul Zalmazak told council the forgivable portion would “burn off” over time (for example, over a five‑year schedule) and described options staff uses in prior projects for recapture if conditions are not met.

Council member Davis introduced an amendment to make the loan personally liable and to remove the forgivable portion; that motion failed on a roll call. Council member Burns then successfully moved an amendment requiring the business to enroll in a city‑supported business mentorship program as a condition of receiving funds. After further motions and a failed attempt to table the item, council approved the assistance with the mentorship requirement.

Owners of the restaurant described the scope of required work and said much of the cost was to bring an existing kitchen hood and exhaust up to current code. Owner Nina Wade said touching the hood required additional work and explained why the expense was high: “86,000 is just a lot, to put in a building that we don't own.” Owners also described community benefits they plan — neighborhood hiring, arts on the walls and senior programming — and identified local chefs who have agreed to mentor the business.

Outcome: Council approved the assistance with the mentorship requirement. Staff and council members said they will continue to refine policy language on loan terms and recapture rules through committee work on future programs.

Why it matters: The award reflects an approach to use TIF funds and small business assistance to support neighborhood retail and minority‑ and women‑owned businesses; council debate highlighted tradeoffs between supporting startups and protecting public investment.","The council approved up to $82,510 in financial assistance for FreeFlow Kitchen for TIF‑eligible leasehold improvements, adding a condition that the business enroll in a mentorship program; an amendment to require personal liability failed.",{"_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},6204888,"Evanston council approves purchase plan for 801–809 Main Street with seven‑month selection timeline",3245,1846000,5091000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3777732-ab5e7d51ea10a0139d088cfa347063a8&start=1846&end=5091","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3777732-ab5e7d51ea10a0139d088cfa347063a8/thumbnail_1846000.jpg","/articles/6204888/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Evanston-council-approves-purchase-plan-for-801809-Main-Street-with-sevenmonth-selection-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204888-7c20d6b74d371a892907c426da3d7130/orig.mp4?Expires=1770869594&Signature=M~BEGFQzCsgKSSeXqV7bQ7NfZCT2CJM2xTZwDHeDojyxYwi5NLt-pgecReGLLaEu5~Ir5MvxeuxAWgnnMDv12omyg~qWmHqiLT3zjKZGJLJmu-YuupItYOH-XeCquIO8fEp35R4LwXeM22xVVkLk66f-y7k7fs1Lnvla9zgMv6v1S6yCnYgKpJQl-tWKJS7-tP6nxjapIRgJO1EB5w0wc9Ft6jZI838ML-gx3r-kW~DszLzAZKT7hzYa7eAbuDa-cJK-CVFNwatRuw0ozrx9bCPUGC3uUnLx2C8PFFx7WSti0GpIOZUMLp4kXiYWbOoWvDWWmugyOn7OYUmhKqPyGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Evanston City Council voted to authorize steps toward acquiring 801–809 Main Street and pursuing a developer to create a mixed‑use project that council members said could include affordable housing.

Council member Evan Suffredan moved adoption of “Resolution 54‑R‑25, authorizing the city manager to negotiate and execute the purchase of 801 to 809 Main Street,” noting the committee amendment that “no consultants are to be hired” and that the city would dispose of the property if certain conditions were not met. The motion was seconded and carried after additional amendments to the timeline.

The ordinance was amended twice in council debate. Council member Jonathan Nussma proposed changing a six‑month timeline to 12 months; that amendment failed. Council member Burns then offered an amendment setting a seven‑month deadline tied to selecting a respondent to an RFQ and requiring the item to return to council if an RFQ was not selected; that amendment passed. Economic Development Manager Paul Zalmazak explained the staff schedule, telling council, “I can complete the tasks that gets this RFQ process back to the council by December of 2025” and outlining steps from demolition contracts to an RFQ in September and zoning and sale authorization in 2026.

Supporters at public comment urged the city to buy the property to ensure more affordable housing and to prevent prolonged vacancy. Opponents and several residents asked for clearer public notification and additional use‑policy protections before purchase; speakers requested notices to residents within 500 feet and documentation of prior code enforcement at the site. Council members pressed staff on the timeline and community engagement, and members voiced differing views on automatic resale if the process stalled.

The final roll call showed six votes in favor and three against; council members voting yes included Ailes, Nussbaum, Burns, Rogers, Herradakis and Harris; council members voting no were Suffredan, Davis and Kelly. The resolution as amended was adopted.

What happens next: staff described a process that would include a July–August community engagement period, issuing an RFQ in September, reviewing responses and returning a developer recommendation in November, and seeking authorization to negotiate a sale in December; the final sale and zoning ordinances would follow in 2026 if the process proceeds as described.

Why it matters: Council supporters framed the purchase as a rare opportunity to control development in a transit‑adjacent corridor and advance the city’s housing goals; critics urged clearer acquisition policies and greater transparency about enforcement steps that preceded the proposed purchase.","The City Council adopted Resolution 54‑R‑25, authorizing steps to acquire 801–809 Main Street and to pursue a developer through an RFQ; the final amendment requires the city to select an RFQ response within seven months or return the matter to council for further consideration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts ordinance to install four‑way stop at Harrison and Ewing

Residents and students call on Evanston officials to condemn anti‑Black harassment at Table 2 Sticks

Council approves TIF assistance for FreeFlow Kitchen after debate over guarantees and mentorship

Evanston council approves purchase plan for 801–809 Main Street with seven‑month selection timeline