Evanston Moves To Delay Due Dates, Suspend Liquor Restrictions

EVANSTON, IL — Some elected officials and city staffers plan to participate remotely in the first meeting of Evanston aldermen since Mayor Hagerty declared a state of emergency Saturday in response to the spread of the new coronavirus.

Members of the public who wish to address Tuesday's special City Council meeting will be able to take part via phone, according to a release. Any attendees will be restricted to the antechamber and kept out of the council chambers as the city implements social distancing measures to reduce potential exposure to COVID-19.

"Those wishing to make public comments may register at cityofevanston.org/march17meeting to participate in the meeting virtually," it said. "Those registered will be able to dial into the meeting at 1-415-655-0052 using access code 740-143-987, and will be able to hear audio of the meeting, view the agenda, and submit public comment."

The Evanston City Council is not scheduled to meet again until April 13 at the earliest, according to a memo to aldermen and the mayor from Corporation Counsel Kelley Gandurski.

The City Council's agenda contains resolutions authorizing the city manager to pay bills and invoices through for the next six weeks, postponing due dates and late fees for money owed to the city and allowing for the loosening of liquor regulations in light of the mandatory closure of the city's bars and restaurants.

Under one of the resolutions, Hagerty may suspend or reduce the restrictions on alcohol vendors for either 120 days or the duration of the emergency. The measure is intended to help liquor licenseholders in Evanston contend with a dramatic decrease in customers, according to Assistant City Attorney Hugh DuBose.

Another resolution "aims to provide some economic relief to Evanston residents and businesses." It delays due days for 60 days, waiving some registration fees and late payment penalties and pauses "certain punitive enforcement actions," according to Assistant City Attorney Brian George.

Bills delayed until April 13 as a result of the order include: parking tickets, water bill payments, vehicle compliance citations, liquor tax and amusement tax payments.

"No penalties shall be applied towards late payments to the City during the time period of March 16, 2020 to April 30, 2020," and until May 16, the city will halt water shutoffs and placing boots on motor vehicles as punishment for not paying fines.

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The first Illinoisan to die from a confirmed case of the virus was a Chicago woman in her 60s, state officials announced.

As of Tuesday, four Evanston residents have tested positive for the novel coronavirus strain, according to the city's website.

Two Northwestern University employees — one in the business school and one in the bursar's office — tested positive for COVID-19 over the past week.

Evanston Hospital has conducted more than 400 in-house tests, with about 10 percent producing positive results as of Monday, according to a NorthShore University HealthSystem spokesperson.

Hagerty will be joined by Health and Human Services Director Ike Ogbo for a second livestreamed question and answer session on social media and local television at 11 a.m. Thursday. Questions can be submitted online ahead of the meeting using an online form.