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Connections for the Homeless converts Margarita Inn into long‑term shelter with 60+ private rooms, pastor and mayor say
Summary
Pastor Monte Dillard and Mayor Daniel Biss described the purchase of the Margarita Inn by Connections for the Homeless, completed in November 2023, and said it now serves as a long‑term shelter with more than 60 private rooms for people experiencing housing insecurity.
Pastor Monte Dillard, chair of the board of Connections for the Homeless, told attendees at the Feb. 2025 State of the City address that Connections closed on the purchase of the Margarita Inn in November 2023 and has converted it into a long‑term shelter with “over 60 private rooms” where program participants now live.
Mott Dillard (sic — referred to in transcript as Monte Dillard) thanked Mayor Daniel D. Biss for support during a contentious acquisition process, saying the purchase required legal work and faced opposition before the city ultimately moved forward with a permanent shelter site.
Mayor Biss praised Connections for the Homeless for its history in Evanston and thanked faith leaders and organizers who created the organization in 1984. Biss said Connections continues to challenge power and serve residents in need.
Connections staff named in the address included Betty Bogg, identified as chief executive officer, and Nia Tavolares, identified as chief development officer; both were mentioned by Pastor Dillard in acknowledging the organization’s staff and leadership.
The transcript did not include a formal council vote or funding breakdown for the Margarita Inn purchase, nor did it state whether the city provided direct funding for the acquisition. Pastor Dillard and the mayor described community support, legal challenges during the acquisition, and the shelter’s current operation as a long‑term resource for people experiencing housing insecurity.
