Safe School Zone, Township Dissolution, Arts Center Addressed at Council Meeting

By Daniel I. Dorfman

A handful of controversial items facing Evanston right now remain up in the air as they continue to work their way through the government process.

A proposal to create a “safe school” zone for Evanston Township High School was remanded back to the council’s Human Services committee as the city council awaits a report from the city and schools liaison committee.  The Human Services Committee has its next scheduled meeting on Oct. 10th.

As Patch previously reported, a safe school zone has been under consideration since June.

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The proposed binding referendum to dissolve the Evanston Township office was introduced to the Council on the perfunctory consent agenda. The subject is scheduled for debate at the Oct. 7th council meeting.

At issue is whether voters next spring will have the opportunity to vote to dissolve the office, as reported by Evanston Roundtable. 

Angela Butler, a representative of retiring Evanston Township assessor Bonnie Wilson said her boss is hopeful the office remains open.

“She does not approve of the referendum,” Butler said. “She has worked very hard the past four years to be an advocate for the taxpayers of Evanston and she feels very strongly that the general assistance and the assessor’s office are providing excellent programming and services for the residents of Evanston.”

Butler said Wilson was not able to attend the meeting due to illness.

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The City Council approved the creation of a nine member task force to study the suitable location for a downtown performing arts center.

This topic has been under the microscope as many local arts organizations are looking to make some changes.