Gov. J.B. Pritzker endorsed Evanston mayoral candidate and former state Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) Thursday.
“(Biss) has a bold, progressive agenda for the City of Evanston,” Pritzker said in a tweet announcing his endorsement. “I look forward to working alongside him to get big things done for Evanstonians.”
The statement follows several high-profile endorsements for Biss, including from U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston), state Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) and state Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview).
Biss said in a tweet he is “honored” to receive Pritzker’s support.
Biss has also received endorsements from Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty and over half of Evanston’s aldermen, including Ald. Ann Rainey (8th). However, Biss rejected Rainey’s endorsement after she made anti-Black comments toward current city clerk and 8th Ward challenger Devon Reid, calling him a “very scary man” at a League of Women Voters of Evanston forum two weeks ago.
Mayoral candidate Daniel Biss rejects Ald. Ann Rainey’s endorsement
Former state Senator and Evanston mayoral candidate Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) said Friday he could no longer accept Ald. Ann Rainey’s (8th) endorsement.
This statement comes after Rainey apologized, and then recanted, to City Clerk Devon Reid for anti-Black comments she made at a candidate forum last week.
“Ald. Rainey… reiterated the view that she has the right to control the way in which one of her political opponents tells his own personal story,” Biss said. “The principle that we should give everyone an opportunity to be heard simply does not work when one person uses her voice to silence someone else’s.”
A virtual forum for Evanston candidates vying for the 8th Ward alderman job was held as three residents seek to unseat the woman who has held the post for more than 30 years.
City Council committed to increasing the reserve balance of the general fund to 16.66 percent by December 31, 2025 at Monday’s virtual meeting.
The resolution included plans to add at least $1 million annually to the reserve fund between 2022 and 2025. Additional contributions to the fund balance could be made from property sales earnings and other alternative revenue sources.
Evanston’s 2021 budget includes using $500,000 from the fund reserves to help offset the financial challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to alleviate the effects of a tax increase on residents. After withdrawing the $500,000, the fund balance is estimated to fall to $13.1 million, which makes up 11.9 percent of expenses in the general fund.
Evanston Now
Recap: City Council
Here s a recap of our live coverage of this evening s Evanston City Council special meeting focused largely on issues related to affordable housing.
A packet with information on tonight’s agenda items is available online.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
Meeting called to order at 5:32 p.m.
Mayor Steve Hagerty says COVID-19 numbers have gone down with restrictions some of which are now being lifted. Discusses current pandemic statistics.
Mayor says vaccinations are starting to move to Phase 1b, says the city doesn’t control how many vaccine doses the city gets, and typically has relatively little advance notice of the additional doses arriving. Says residents will be called for vaccination scheduling as doses become available.