New Chief Spokesperson Named By Evanston City Manager's Office

EVANSTON, IL — Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz Wednesday announced Patrick Deignan has been promoted to become the city's communication manager. After working in the city manager's office under retired Community Engagement Manager Martha Logan since November 2013, Deignan had been working as Logan's replacement on an interim basis.

“Patrick Deignan has worked to build the City’s communications operations into one of the finest municipal community engagement operations in America. The City reaches our residents in ways that are convenient for them," Bobkiewicz said, in a statement announcing the appointment. "I look forward to working with Patrick as he continues to build on these successes.”

Bobkiewicz said Deignan's accomplishments included the launch of a weekly video series, the 2017 Best Use of Facebook award from the City-County Communication and Marketing Association and a 60 percent growth in subscribers to the city's electronic newsletters.

In his new role, Deignan will serve as the city's spokesperson in charge of all city corporate communications, including social media channels, newsletters, mobile messaging, print publications, the city's public access video operations and offer support to the city manager, the mayor and the City Council with various community engagement efforts.

Before coming to work for Evanston, where he now lives, Deignan was communications and media planner for the Citizens Utility Board, a nonprofit consumer watchdog organization, for more than five years.

Logan's budgeted 2019 salary would have been $99,736 with nearly $21,600 worth of benefits, while Deignan's was $90,826 with $5,774 in benefits.

Bobkiewicz said Deignan's new annual salary is $94,619 and his former position, community engagement coordinator, has been downgraded to community engagement specialist. He said the city would begin recruiting to fill that position shortly.