Committee forwards ordinance to align basketball-court hours with racket-court hours

Evanston’s Human Services Committee voted Dec. 1 to forward ordinance 74,025, an amendment to city code section 7-10-3 that would align hours for outdoor basketball courts with existing hours for racket courts, to the full City Council for consideration.

The measure, introduced by an unnamed committee member as item HS1, was described by staff as intended "to ensure equity and consistency across outdoor recreational amenities," and to make enforcement uniform across different types of courts. Council Member Rogers asked why hours were placed in an ordinance rather than left as a staff policy; Tim Carter, Lakefront and Athletics Division Manager, said the ordinance language allows the hours to be cited if necessary.

Committee Chair (unnamed) said the change would promote fairness in how recreational sports are scheduled and enforced. After brief discussion the committee approved the motion by voice vote; the chair declared, "The ayes have it," and the item will move to the City Council.

The committee did not record a roll-call tally; the vote was taken by voice. The council will next consider the ordinance in its legislative process.