Moving Forward

● Work with all residents and stakeholders to make changes to our Zoning code to address the supply crisis

● Continue finding opportunities to develop affordable housing on City property

● Continuing to improve the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance

● Finalize the Strategic Housing Plan with a detailed anti-displacement plan, so all residents can remain in their homes

● Address the existing structural deficit, with a focus on efficiencies and expanding the tax base to avoid regressive tactics like property tax increases whenever possible

● Make financially sound decisions about the long-term home for City Hall and the police and fire headquarters

● Continue to invest in paying down our legacy pension debt

● Use updated software to make the permitting process more intuitive and efficient for residents and businesses alike

● Double down on a problem-solving ethic so that City staff are creatively helping residents achieve their goals

● Prioritize park maintenance to ensure access to abundant green space and recreation in all neighborhoods

● Increase collaboration and coordination with businesses, non-profits, cultural organizations, and City staff to expand programming to bring visitors to our business districts

● Support responsible residential development in high-activity centers to increase the customer base for our small businesses

● Align infrastructure design toward the objective of making business districts more welcoming and attractive to visitors and residents alike

● Work with state and regional partners to attract businesses and employers to Evanston

● Enact all policies possible to ensure we’re protecting immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, reproductive rights, and people of color against the federal onslaught

● Partner with other jurisdictions (both state and local) in idea-sharing, strategy, and be aggressive in litigation

● Defend all federal revenues and seek replacements for any that might be at risk

● Continue to pass legislation to facilitate the transition away from fossil fuels in buildings

● Ramp up financial support for Evanston residents seeking to make their homes more efficient, better weatherized, or less fossil fuel-reliant

● Make infrastructure investments and zoning policies that center multi-modal transportation so that Evanstonians no longer need to be as car-reliant

● Improve deconstruction and composting policies in Evanston as we strive to be a “circular community” that maximizes reuse of existing materials