Evanston Will Raise Minimum Wage

EVANSTON, IL — The Evanston City Council unanimously declined to take any action to block the implementation of a minimum wage increase at a hastily scheduled meeting Friday morning. Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty said he supports Cook County ordinances mandating paid sick leave and the county-wide wage increases that are set to take effect Saturday. At the start of the meeting, Hagerty said the Council would not vote on a proposed ordinance that would have delayed implementation of the new rules.

"I believe the community has spoken loud and clear: 'No!'" Hagerty said. "I am therefore proposing the City Council take no action on the proposed ordinance."

The first-year mayor called the emergency meeting Thursday. Hours later, Evanston City Clerk Devon Reid questioned whether it constituted a "bona fide emergency" under the Open Meetings Act and suggested any action taken at the meeting may not be valid.

City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz acknowledged Friday the meeting was not official and did not include official public comment or a roll call of aldermen. Hagerty termed it a "group discussion," acknowledging Reid's assertion there was no legitimate cause for an emergency council meeting.

"We are not going to discuss the ordinance that was on the agenda for the day, but we are going to have some constructive remarks from people who have come," Hagerty said. (Sign up for our free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts for the Evanston Patch )

Alderman Don Wilson confirmed the council will not opt out, nor have a vote on the matter. Ald. Robin Rue Simmons emphasized Evanston should stick by its principles. Ald. Thomas Suffredin suggested Evanston is not subject to the whims of neighboring Wilmette and Skokie. Ald. Eleanor Revelle said she was strongly in favor of ensuring Evanston workers get higher wages.

Alderman Ann Rainey said the meeting should not have been called and was a waste of time.

"Let's just start doing things instead of taking all this time from other more important things," Rainey said.

Alderman Cicely Fleming said Evanston must still address its massive socioeconomic disparities in unemployment rate, health care coverage and other matters. Fleming said people need to hold their elected officials accountable and keep coming to meetings.

Alderman Judy Fiske said all issues before the council always come down to jobs.

"You can't expect to solve the big problems that we face if people aren't making a living wage," Fiske said.

Alderman Peter Braithwaite said the increase will require Evanston supports it businesses and consumers change their behavior. He said wage increases need to be statewide and not municipality by municipality.

Alderman Melissa Wynne said she has always been a supporter of raising minimum wage and sick leave ordinance and everyone must chip in by supporting local businesses.

"We now stand alone," she said. "But we are all part of a very large economy...We are alone in this, but together as a community we have to work together...If you can buy it locally, you must buy it locally and not off the internet."

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, who lives in Evanston and represents the 9th District, said public involvement is invaluable and suggested Chicago is the real economic competition for Evanston.

Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, who sponsored the ordinances on the county board said the wage disparity across the Chicago-Evanston border Howard Street inspired him to create the labor rules. He thanked the council for not passing an opt-out ordinance.

Hagerty set aside 45 minutes for public comments.

Watch complete video of the meeting below:

Top photo: Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty | via Jonah Meadows