Evanston Named Only Tech Savvy City in Nation

Evanston is the only city in the United States to receive the Public Technology Institute’s (PTI) special designation as a Tech Savvy award winner, and they have done so two years in a row.

PTI’s 2015 Local Government Tech Savvy Designation Award Program selected three PTI member local governments that met a comprehensive list of nine criterions where technology is used to address issues, current challenges and to create future opportunities across the enterprise. Pinellas County, Florida and Sacramento County, California were also selected.

“I am very proud that Evanston has been recognized for using technology to improve services for our internal and external customers,” said Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz. “It is an honor to again be the only city of any size nationwide to receive this designation. Receiving this award for two consecutive years shows that staff is constantly striving to make Evanston the most livable city. The City’s technology leaders and all staff members are to be congratulated for a job well done.”

Evanston was rewarded because it “embraces a culture of technology innovation and because department directors identify areas for collaboration around technology solutions,” according to a city news release.

Over the last year, the city incorporated low cost web-based software-as-a-service solutions and combines an online form builder, Wufoo, with an online payment service, Stripe to create online forms allowing residents to make payments on the city website instead of by phone, mail or in person.