Good Sunday morning, Evanston!
Every Sunday, this RoundTable email begins with the top stories of the previous week, and last week’s news was highlighted by the reparations symposium that brought national figures in the movement to Evanston. In the photo above, the leader of Evanston’s program, Robin Rue Simmons, left, stands next to Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, and other panelists at Friday’s Reparations Town Hall at Evanston Township High School. Standing next to Jackson Lee is Areva Martin of CNN and at right is author Nkechi Taifa.
In case you missed any of the most important news of the week, here’s a roundup of the top stories from the RoundTable.
Federal reparations: Before Friday’s ETHS event, reparations leaders held a news conference to call for President Joe Biden to end a 38-year congressional stalemate and put H.R. 40 in place via executive order, to set up a federal Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans.
Margarita Inn: After a meeting lasting more than four hours, the Land Use Commission backed a Margarita Inn shelter by a 5-3 vote, recommending a special use permit. Ahead of the hearing, the RoundTable’s Richard Cahan spoke with current and former residents of the shelter.
Pensions: Council Member Clare Kelly, 1st Ward, proposed a motion Tuesday night to move forward on 100% funding of police and fire pensions. The measure passed 8-1. The extra $4.49 million needed would be drawn from city reserves and not boost the property tax. A final vote on the issue is scheduled for Dec. 12.
Fifth Ward school: Many key details about the school remain up in the air: The school’s projected opening has been pushed back at least a year from the original fall 2024 date, and the city and District 65 still must decide what to do with the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center at Foster Field, the school’s planned site.
A day for ‘Dino’: Morris “Dino” Robinson Jr. announced he is stepping back from his role as executive director at Shorefront Legacy Center and the city proclaimed Nov. 28 to be a day in his honor. Above are his mother Margo Robinson, right, and Laurice Bell, Shorefront’s new executive director.
Bookstore aid: Forced to move by rent hikes, Bookends & Beginnings is moving to Orrington Avenue, and the store is seeking $475,606 from the city to cover relocation costs. But the Economic Development Committee had some concerns.
Health: Most flu seasons see a mild surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common infection that mainly affects infants and young children. But this fall, surges in flu and RSV among kids have strained the health system across the state and nation. Experts urge parents to take precautions and watch for symptoms.
Shooting silence: Eighth Ward residents were upset about a lack of communications from the police about a Nov. 17 shooting. One person was wounded while sitting in a car, but no notices were sent, no posts made and no news release issued.