'Extensive Good Faith Negotiations': City Officials Respond To District 65 Criticism

EVANSTON, IL — City officials defended their commitment to equity and safety in response to public criticism from the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 board.

After a divided City Council last week approved the creation of a new tax increment financing, or TIF, district but rejected a binding intergovernmental agreement, or IGA, with District 65, school board members issued a joint statement Tuesday warning of resulting financial shortfalls and accusing city officials of a pattern of misleading practices.

According to municipal representatives, the negotiations that led to the drafting of the IGA had a significant influence on a resolution that councilmembers approved to accompany the establishment of the Five-Fifths TIF District.

City officials contend that the resolution expresses their commitment to investment in historically marginalized communities, the stated goal of the district, and contains two aspects that are unique in the state — the creation of a seven-member community TIF advisory committee and pledges about how TIF funds will be used.

The city's statement notes that the City Council delayed a planned vote on the TIF in September to allow more time for negotiators to finalize a draft intergovernmental agreement.

"Eventually, City and District 65 negotiators were able to reach an agreement and present a proposed IGA to City Council for consideration," it said. "The City Council’s decision, on a 5-4 vote, not to approve the IGA, is a reflection of the difficulty of resolving a subject like this via a contract with a completely independent government body, and the City’s devotion of significant time and effort to achieve an agreement is a reflection of its commitment to a strong partnership with District 65."

While the school board said it estimates it will lose out on approximately $900,000 of property tax revenue every year as a result of the new TIF's capture of money generated by increases in assessments, city representatives pointed out that District 65 and Evanston Township High School District 202 are due to be compensated for any additional students resulting from TIF investment.

Over the planned 23-year lifespan of the TIF, that could end up netting the school district up to $16.5 million, according to consultants hired by the city.

The city's response to the District 65 school board also addresses the board's assertion that the city "failed to act on putting a public safety plan in place" in response to racist and homophobic threats and attacks against administrators and board members.

"The City has always taken District 65’s concerns seriously, including the deeply troubling threats and vandalism experienced by some school board members earlier this year, and is committed to continuing to work together to develop solutions that allocate finite resources effectively and equitably, ensuring that no one organization or individual receives resources above and beyond any other," it said. "It is regrettable that District 65 and the City have in the past sometimes disagreed about how to best effectuate this outcome, but the City stands ready to resume those discussions at any time."

Municipal representatives said collaboration between the city and the school district would have the greatest collective impact when members of both institutions work hard and commit to trusting their respective experiences and expertise.

"The City shares District 65’s commitment to safety, equity and to ensuring that every child and every family has what they need to reach their full potential — both inside and outside the classroom," the city's statement said. "That not only means access to great schools and teachers, it means access to enrichment activities, career opportunities, affordable housing, safe neighborhoods, and food stability, all of which will be directly supported by TIF funds over the next several decades."

Earlier: City Council's Approval Of 5th Ward TIF District Irks District 65 Board