Applications Open To Succeed Cicely Fleming On City Council

EVANSTON, IL — Residents of Evanston's 9th Ward interested in serving on the City Council have two weeks to submit an application, the mayor announced.

Ald. Cicely Fleming, 9th Ward, announced on Dec. 20 that she planned to step down at the end of January.

Fleming, who was unchallenged last year in her bid for re-election, said at the time that the job of alderperson, despite some successes, had "become more harmful to my health than joyful to me."

Mayor Daniel Biss on Tuesday laid out a timeline for identifying the next 9th Ward alderperson. Applications are due Feb. 14, and Fleming's resignation takes effect the next day, according to the mayor.

"I would also ask you to share this information broadly and encourage others who may be interested in public service to apply," Biss said. "I look forward to an open, inclusive process that will enable us to best fill this important role in our City government."

Applications are available online. Questions include:

• What would you like to accomplish on the City Council?
• What experience and skills qualify you to be a councilmember?
• How would your abilities and approach address the current council needs?
• Can you think of any aspect of your life which might possibly constitute a conflict of interest with the role of a councilmember?

According to the Evanston City Code, councilmembers must be a resident of the ward they represent and have lived in the city for at least one year prior to being eligible — unless they were serving in the military. And they also must not owe the city any money or have been convicted of "any infamous crime, bribery, perjury or other felony."

A public meeting is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 17 where applicants can make presentations to the public, according to the mayor's announcement.

Biss said he will announce his appointment Feb. 22 and present it to the City Council for approval at its Feb. 28 meeting.

Fleming's successor must be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council. If councilmembers refuse to approve, the mayor nominated a second candidate, and if the Council also rejects that person, the mayor can appoint either of them on an interim basis.

The new 9th Ward councilmember will serve until the 2023 consolidated municipal elections because there are more than 28 months remaining in Fleming's term.

Whoever is named to the Council will be faced with one of the most significant decisions for any legislature in the managerial form of government — picking the city manager, the chief executive of the municipality.

Related:

• 'I Don't Love My Role': Cicely Fleming Resigns From City Council
• Ex-Evanston Mayoral Candidate Seeks Appointment To 9th Ward Seat
• Finalist For Evanston City Manager Takes Different Job