Evanston Clerk Challenges Legitimacy Of Mayor's Emergency Declaration

EVANSTON, IL — Evanston's clerk said Thursday he contacted the office of the Illinois attorney general in response to Mayor Steve Hagerty's declaration of a "financial emergency" and call for a public meeting with about one days notice, which came under 48 hours before new Cook County wage and sick leave ordinances had been set to take effect.

"I don't believe that the circumstances here — that Skokie is potentially opting out — create an emergency for Evanston that we need to give less than 48 hour notice," said City Clerk Devon Reid.

"What is the emergency here because of folks getting paid a higher wage?" Reid told Patch. "The business community expected this to happen because Evanston gave no word that we were opting out. Workers expected this to happen because Evanston, again, gave every indication we were going along with the wage increases."

"So, if anything we're causing an emergency by potentially taking away wages that folks expected to be earning starting July 1," Reid said the impact on minimum wage workers would be significant, and Evanston businesses and elected officials have known the ordinances would be taking effect for more than 8 months. (Sign up for our free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts for the Evanston Patch )

If the attorney general's office rules that Friday's meeting was held in violation of the Illinois Omen Meetings Act, any action taken at the meeting could be ruled void, Reid said.

Evanston's "failure to plan for or anticipate events...does not constitute a 'bona fide emergency'," the clerk wrote on Facebook in response to the mayor's declaration Thursday. "I believe respect for the rule of law dictates that the City rescind its Emergency Declaration and, instead, call for a special meeting of the City Council, within the guidelines of the Illinois Open Meetings Act and provide for 48 hours notice to residents, employers and employees of the City of Evanston."

On Facebook, Hagerty portrayed the move as one in favor of open and transparent government by allowing for open discussion and consideration of all voices.

Hagerty, an emergency management consultant, did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.

Top photo: Evanston City Clerk Devon Reid | via City of Evanston