This article is part of a four-part series featuring new City Councilmembers. The Daily is sitting down with councilmembers to find out how they’ve been adjusting to their new roles and where they stand on their platforms now. For Ald. Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th), the transition from environmental community advocacy to serving on City Council.
Evanston youth participated in this past year’s elections by voting and engaging with local campaigns. Mayor Daniel Biss’ campaign team was entirely Gen Z, and Sebastian Nalls was 20-years-old when he ran for mayor. High school students organized town hall forums for candidates, created voter guides and stressed the need to hold elected officials accountable..
City Council discussed how to use funds Evanston received from the American Rescue Plan Act Monday night. City staff have proposed that the largest portion of ARPA-related funding $11.2 million should be allocated to “Revenue Loss Funding.” That would include staff restoration and hazard pay for certain city employees who worked essential jobs.
Mayor Daniel Biss read a formal apology Monday night on behalf of City Council regarding the city’s response to allegations of sexual harassment and abuse among lakefront staff. “We are committed to preventing the sexism, sexual harassment, assault, racism and discrimination you experienced,” Biss said. “We apologize for workplace culture, the law of sexual harassment.
Evanston residents have a newly reopened park to enjoy this fall. McCulloch Park in northwest Evanston is now open to the public after over a year of COVID-19-related renovation delays. The 1.7 acre park was originally scheduled to reopen in August 2020 after repairs to replace aging playground equipment. According to the city, McCulloch Park.