Judge Rules in Favor of City on Referendum Question

Judge Susan Fox Gillis ruled on Wednesday (March 21) that the City's referendum question will remain on the April 17 ballot.

"The judge ruled that the question was proper and that the plaintiffs were not entitled to a hearing on the matter," Jack Siegel, corporation counsel for the City, told the RoundTable. "The [judge found] it is not misleading," he continued; "The citizens have a right to vote on it."

The plaintiffs, representing the voters of Evanston, had sought to have the City's referendum question removed on the grounds, among others, that it was confusing, misleading and "responsive" - that is, placed on the ballot in response to the referendum question placed by Friends of the Civic Center. They also noted that, even though the City's question says that rehabbing the Civic Center - a former Catholic girls' school located at 2100 Ridge Ave. - would cost about $31 million, aldermen have now said that figure is too high.

Mr. Smith said the plaintiffs had to seek an injunction in the Court rather than appear before the Election Board and have their matter heard as an election question because the City had placed its question on the ballot too late for them to do so. "The plaintiffs were caught between a rock and a hard place," he said, adding it can be more difficult to obtain an injunction, particularly in this case, since the ballots had already been printed.

"The ruling had to do with the posture of the case. It [the request for an injunction] dictated what the judge said and dictated the outcome," Mr. Smith said.

He added, "The plaintiffs were gratified that we got a hearing and are glad that the issue has been raised. Of course, the primary argument has to take place before the voters."

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NAACP School Board Candidate Forum Covers Wide Range of Issues

Adrian Dortch, District 65 and 202 presented a different perspective. "We shouldn't be hiring teachers strictly based on race. We need to hire teachers with passion and integrity who have experience dealing with a diverse community."

"We do a good job hiring and training teachers," said Jane Colleton, District 202 incumbent, "but they get stolen a lot." William Wideman, District 202, advocated for better benefits and tuition reimbursement programs.

Unified district
Generally candidates, with the exception of Mr. Dortch, whose campaign is based on the idea of a unified district, felt this idea was impractical, based on cost and salary inequities between the districts.

The idea of greater cooperation between the districts, particularly in the area of academic standards, discipline and transition to ninth grade was emphasized by many.

Positive or negative effect of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act
Many candidates said they believed NCLB had had a positive effect. "It's one of the best things that has happened to this country," said Bonnie Lockhart, District 65. She said the Act had put the focus on poorly performing students and required schools to do something about it.

"It's stepped up demands for everyone," said Mr. Terry in support. He also pointed out that District 65 receives $1 million in Title I funds as a result of its compliance with NCLB. "That would be a lot to give up."

"We've renewed our emphasis on intervention," said Mary Wilkerson, District 202 incumbent. "I also like the idea of the highly qualified teacher requirement."

Other candidates expressed concern. "There've been negative side effects," said Katie Bailey, District 65. "It's an unfunded mandate, there's lots of testing and inconsistency from state to state." But she acknowledged it has forced schools to look at themselves critically and improve.

Andy Pigozzi, District 65, agreed. "I don't like the punitive aspect," he said, "but underperforming kids can no longer be ignored."

"The NCLB is a road paved with good intentions," said Omar Khuri, District 202. "I agree that there have been benefits. However, "we should not have waited for the federal government to tell us what we already know. I would advocate opting out."

Impact of potential Supreme Court decision on school assignment based on race
"The Supreme Court decision will give the Board an opportunity to discuss why we're doing certain things," said Ms. Bailey. "Right away the magnet schools selection process would have to change; we'd have to look at the 60-percent guideline. The Board must lead on this. Academic achievement should be our number-one goal."

Ms. Lockhart objected to the fact that income could determine educational potential. "We need to improve the academic achievement of students," she said. "Diversity should remain in schools."

"I'm not sure how we would go about balancing the schools based on economics," said Mr. Pigozzi. "There could be an increase in transportation costs."

"Potential inequities might exist because of this," remarked Mr. Terry. "Choice will be removed. Neighborhood schools will have to compete."

Value of alternative programs at ETHS
Some candidates sharply disagreed about the high school's alternative programs, including programs that formerly were offered at night, collectively known as the Academy.

"Lynn McAllister is a dedicated teacher who works very hard to help kids in the Academy," said Ms. Colleton. "Most students who go to the Academy have issues of truancy and performance in the classroom."

Ms. Wilkerson agreed. "We can't save everybody. We need to celebrate those we can serve and motivate those students to want to learn. You should attend the Academy graduation, and you will be overwhelmed about what students have to say."

Mr. Wideman, a 1997 graduate of ETHS, and Jacob Novar, currently a senior at ETHS and candidate for District 202, differed.

"The students in the Academy, they're all great kids - but they can just leave and walk around," said Mr. Novar. "I don't believe programs are doing their job. We need a reform in curriculum, teachers and discipline."

"These programs are not meeting needs," echoed Mr. Wideman. "I had friends (who were in the Academy) -- they didn't do anything in the classroom. We need vocational programs for these kids - something for them other than sitting in the classroom talking crazy."

Mr. Khuri struck a compromise note. "The program is its doing best with the resources they have, but kids are also standing around doing nothing. Let's look at a mentoring program that would pay stipends, so that this group of children can be reintegrated into the mainstream."

Expansion of the District 65 African-Centered Curriculum
"I support expansion, said Ms. Lockhart. "I hope that data will show success. We should see it as another tool in the toolkit."

Mr. Terry emphasized a focus on outcomes. Both he and Ms. Bailey suggested that if some things were working in the ACC program, they could be used in the general education classrooms as well. Other candidates were also supportive of expansion.

Lack of black students in honors/AP classes at ETHS
"We need to give kids the resources," said Mr. Wideman. "It's a shame that when I speak to a group of high school students, they don't even know where the Evanston Public Library is at. [They need R]esources, self esteem, and more community involvement."

Mr. Novar suggested that other students sit in on schedule-planning sessions to encourage enrollment. Ms. Colleton touted the benefits of clustering minority students in honors classes - "it's very difficult to be the only black student in a class" - and the mixed abilities classes in the history department.

Ms. Wilkerson pointed out that some kids do not want to do the extra work. "Our community and churches need to encourage our students to want to do better, to take advantage of what the NAACP fought for, the right for them to be able to read and write and excel."

Fifth Ward school
D65 candidates unanimously supported the idea of a Fifth-Ward school, assuming cost was not an issue.

Mr. Dortch announced that he was looking into the idea of a charter school in the Fifth Ward. Ms. Bailey suggested that cost should be put back into the discussion, and "we should still talk about a Fifth Ward school."

Tax referendum for District 202
Candidates differed sharply on the idea of whether or not a tax referendum for District 202 would be supported by the voters. The need for a referendum and whether or not budget deficits were indeed projected was also a source of disagreement.

Mr. Khuri said budget deficits were not projected and he would not support a referendum. Boris Furman, District 202, disagreed about the projected deficits but also said a referendum would not be necessary if costs - especially those associated with salaries, which he said represent more than 70 percent of the budget - were controlled.
"Let's make Northwestern contribute," said Mr. Dortch.

Ms. Wilkerson and Ms. Colleton maintained that although they did not support the idea of a tax referendum at present, they both felt that citizens would, if the board had appeared to do everything it could to balance the budget.

Role of District 65 Superintendent and the Board
"The Superintendent and the Board work together as a team," said Mr. Terry. "The Superintendent is the employee of the Board. Setting clear and measurable goals will solve the problem."

"We need to take emotion and personality out of the mix," said Ms. Bailey. "We need to help the Superintendent fix what needs to be fixed. This is not a blame game."

Ms. Lockhart said, "The Superintendent is leader of the District. The Board leads as a unit and needs data and timelines from Superintendent to the Board so they can make decisions."

"The Board has to take responsibility for itself," said Mr. Pigozzi, adding, "The Superintendent has to be careful about interjecting himself into taking sides on any one issue."

Mr. Dortch emphasized the importance of communication as well. "The Board listens to the community - no one person should be making the decision by themselves," he said.

Increased police presence at ETHS
Candidates responded to the usefulness of increased police presence at the high school and whether or not it was contributing to increased suspensions. Most believed that the increased police presence was a good thing, although Mr. Khuri questioned whether it was the best way to maintain discipline.

"Clear communication of expectations, consistent quick consequences" are effective tools, he said.

Mr. Dortch suggested that discipline problems would be solved if each teacher on staff were responsible for 10 students.

The point was made that suspensions had increased last year - before the increased police presence under the new supervision of Safety Director Frank Kaminski. The increase was attributed to a "no-tolerance policy for fighting," said Mr. Novar.

Ms. Wilkerson stressed, "We need to look at alternatives to suspension, but we also don't want students making an unsafe environment for others."

Channel 19, the School District 65 channel, will air the forum at 9 a.m. on Saturdays through April 7 and at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, April 3 and 10.

ComEd Report Shows Increase In Length of Power Outages

By Mary Helt Gavin

Commonwealth Edison's most recent report to the City's Energy Commission showed a continuation of one of two positive trends begun a few years ago and a slight diminution of the other. ComEd's data showed the number of power outages experienced by Evanston residents is still declining, but the duration of those outages has increased.

The data showed that in 2004 and again in 2005 there were 122 non-storm "interruptions" of service. In 2006 there were more interruptions: 189 of them, 40 caused by trees, 37 by malfunction and 24 by "underground failure." Sixteen were listed as "animal-related."

The length of an interruption ranged from about 100 minutes in 2006, with a spike up to 120-150 minutes at the end of the year, according to a graph created by Business Performance and Measurements and provided by ComEd.

Dennis Marino of the City's Community Development Department, said, "Since 1993 the frequency [of outages] has been in the right direction. [But now] problems with the duration are popping up. We should focus on which feeders are problematic." He identified two feeders that he said should be "flagged" for further discussion with ComEd officials.

Joel Freeman, chair of the commission, said underground failure is one of the biggest causes of interruptions.

Commission member William Siegfriedt said the number of underground failures is "up from one or two years ago.... I suppose we're going to find 80-year-old cables out there. I'd like to know when they're going to repair the cables."

Mr. Marino said, "Cables can be very old but still be doing well. The question is, ‘What's the replacement program?' ... With underground cables the outages can be longer." He added that the City has been burying some cables in connection with recent projects - for example, along McCormick Boulevard.

"Above ground the problem still seems to be animal-related," said Mr. Marino. Mr. Siegfriedt said, "If a squirrel gets on the insulation of a transformer-bridge it can cause an outage." Mr. Marino said there is a device designed to "shock the squirrel and knock it out before it can cause the outage." However, he said, "These are not universally installed."

Commission members are also in the process of drafting a new energy policy that they hope to present to the Administration and Public Works Committee of City Council and then the Council itself in the next few months. In draft form the policy calls for the City to monitor its distribution systems, promote energy conservation, evaluate alternate energy courses and inform the citizenry about important energy matters.

Inclusionary Ordinance Amended

By Bill Smith

At its March 12 meeting, City Council adopted amendments to its inclusionary housing ordinance that were intended to cure legal defects in its original form. The vote was 8-0; Alderman Ann Rainey, 8th Ward, was absent from the meeting.

The revised ordinance would give developers of projects with more than two dozen housing units the option of making 10 percent of the units affordable on-site or contributing a minimum of $4,000 per unit to an affordable housing fund.The cost of meeting the requirement on-site has been estimated at roughly two-and-a-half-times the cost of the contribution.

Alderman Elizabeth Tisdahl, 7th Ward, called for a review of the ordinance in a year to see how much money it has raised for affordable housing, what the costs of administering the program have been and how much new development has occurred.

As adopted, theoriginal ordinance lacked the on-site option, and the City's law department concluded that turned the requirement into an impact fee, a type of imposition that has been disfavored by Illinois courts.

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ETHS's Becker Receives Golden Apple

Assistant Superintendent Marilyn Madden and Superintendent Eric Witherspoon of ETHS and Glenn "Max" McGee and Jean McGrew of the Golden Apple Foundation were among a dozen or so well-wishers and members of the media who crowded into the classroom on March 14 as Christian Farr of WTTW-Channel 11 presented Mr. Becker with a basket of red and yellow apples tied with a golden bow.

Foundation members visited nine other classrooms in the Chicago area to present Golden Apple Awards.

"This is the Academy Awards of teaching," said the suit-clad Mr. McGee addressing Mr. Becker, who was dressed that day in a Moroccan shalwar, a long white robe. Mr. Becker says he "dresses in traditional African or Middle Eastern clothing every few weeks on Wednesday, when we share our current events perspectives."

His students were lounging on the floor in the classroom - which he has transformed into a Middle Eastern living room - taking a quiz when the camera crews from Channel 11 and WKIT entered. As his students clapped and cheered, Mr. Becker said to them, "The day the observers [from the Golden Apple Foundation] came here was the day we won. My [ETHS] students made me so proud I told my evening class [at National-Louis University] we won. You guys make me so proud. You guys make me great."

Switching from being honoree to teacher, Mr. Becker asked one student to read what she had written - in this case, that the expected $50 billion in oil wealth in Angola is not likely to be shared by most of the citizens. He asked the students, "Do you see what she's saying? Angola is about to get a lot of money it's not likely to share with its citizens."

In a statement announcing Mr. Becker's award, the Golden Apple Foundation said, "Aaron designs his classes to help students learn to identify with people in distant places or other eras."

Mr. Becker began teaching at ETHS in 1998, having been there as a student teacher the previous year.

He teaches a range of history courses at ETHS, including Middle East: Past and Present; African History and Culture; and Advanced Placement U.S. History.

A total of 803 teachers from Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will counties were nominated for the award, which was first presented in 1986. Each winner will receive a tuition-free fall-term sabbatical at Northwestern University, a personal computer from Apple, $3,000, and membership in the Golden Apple Academy.

The Award winners will be honored at a ceremony on May 12.

Suit Filed to Strike City's Referendum Question From April 17 Ballot

By Mary Helt Gavin

Five members of the ad-hoc group Friends of the Civic Center have filed suit to have the City of Evanston's referendum question removed from the April 17 ballot. The question, approved by City Council last month, reads "Shall the City of Evanston fund the rehabilitation of the Evanston Civic Center, located at 2100 Ridge Avenue, by the issuance of not less than thirty-one million ($31,000,000) in General Obligation Bonds?"

The plaintiffs - John Kennedy, Emily Guthrie, Daniel Garrison, Vito Brugliera and Mary Brugliera - brought the suit on their own and on behalf of Evanston residents ("voter plaintiffs") who would vote on that question on April 17.

Although the group had asked for an emergency hearing and injunction, the judge postponed the hearing until today, since ballots for the April 17 election had already been printed, Mr. Kennedy told the RoundTable. He said the group hoped to be heard today, March 21.

The complaint asks the Court to find that the Council referendum is "argumentative, misleading, confusing and improper" and in violation of the Illinois Constitution. It also sought the Court to enjoin both Evanston City Clerk Mary Morris and Cook County Clerk David Orr from certifying the question or "otherwise submit[ting it] to Evanston voters."

Finally it asks the Court to enjoin the City from expending funds or resources in reference to either this referendum question or the referendum question placed on the ballot by the Friends of the Civic Center.

The Friends question asks, "Shall the Evanston City government remain in the current Civic Center, located at 2100 Ridge Ave.?"

Among other things the plaintiffs allege, "On Feb. 20, 2007, aldermen on the Civic Center Committee of the City Council and City staff acknowledged that the $31 million figure being submitted to the voters via the Council referendum was inaccurate and included costs that were not necessary for a rehabilitation of the Civic Center."

Aldermen subsequently conceded that the $31 million figure was an overstatement of the rehab costs but have not presented an alternate figure.

Mr. Kennedy told the RoundTable, "The issue that we object to is that the City's referendum states the cost of the rehab of the Civic is ‘no less than $31 million.' when by their own statements and during public discussion, they admit that this is an inflated number.

"They want the electorate to read $31 million on the ballot but think a lower figure. This is not only confusing but misleading."

"So what does a ‘no' vote mean?" Mr. Kennedy contiued; "Does it mean ‘No to $31 million' or ‘No to a lower figure'? What does a ‘yes' vote mean?"

Mr. Kennedy said he felt that even if the Council wishes to "tap into the sentiments of the voters," aldermen may not know how to interpret the results "irrespective of how much effort they put into educating the voters....

"We brought this issue to the City Council at their meeting on March 12, asking them to voluntarily remove this confusing and misleading referendum from the ballot and enter into a healthy and honest discussion on all the costs associated with this decision. They did not act. So we filed a lawsuit late last week to see if a neutral judge agrees with us."

Delphyne Woods, executive secretary for the City's legal department, said no one from that department would comment on the suit "because it is pending litigation."

Visit back here to www.evanstonroundtable.com to follow this lawsuit. The information will be posted as soon as is practicable after it is received.

Retiring Interim Chief Honored at City Council; New Interim Chief Sworn In

Interim police chief Dennis Nilsson, left, who wrapped up a 37-year career with the City last week, was honored at the March 12 City Council meeting.

Assistant City Manager Judith Aiello recapped Mr. Nilsson's career, from his hiring as a patrol officer in 1969, after he returned from military service in Vietnam, through his steady rise through the department's ranks.

"Dennis has been the father of community policing in Evanston," Ms. Aiello said, "and has become a trainer and consultant on community policing. He's the heart and soul of the department and we'll really miss him."

Mr. Nilsson said he had enjoyed his service to the community and that he was proud to "return [his] star ... untarnished."

Mayor Lorraine Morton said that on top of all his professional service, "Dennis is just a darn nice man." Alderman Steve Bernstein, 4th Ward, said, "Dennis Nilsson was the first walking patrolman in the City," who "endeared himself to everyone" on the beat around Nichols School.

Chief Nilsson, who has taught in criminal justice programs part-time while on the force, plans to continue his teaching work after retirement. He was succeeded by Deputy Chief Joseph Bellino, center, who was sworn in by City Clerk Mary Morris to be interim chief until Richard Eddington takes over as chief on March 26.

‘Fix Up or Tear Down':

Aldermen Seek Ordinance Change For Boarded-up Homes

By Bill Smith

Dozens of homes stand vacant in Evanston, and aldermen want to step up efforts to force owners to fix them up or tear them down.

In the more than three years since the City passed an ordinance requiring that vacant buildings be boarded up, property standards inspectors have cited 66 properties for violations, Community Development Director James Wolinski said at last week's Planning and Development Committee meeting.

Stan Janusz, who heads the City's property standards division, said a dozen of the buildings have been demolished and a few have been rehabbed, but that leaves 48 active cases.

"My request is that we put some teeth in this," Alderman Steve Bernstein, 4th Ward, said. "Go out and knock them down if [the owners] don't comply with the ordinance after a given amount of time.

"Now we don't collect the fines unless the property sells, and they may never be sold," he added. "We're available; if the owners want, we can work out an arrangement to turn the property over for affordable housing purposes."

Alderman Anjana Hansen, 9th Ward, said, "We need something more than just boarding it up over and over again."

Alderman Melissa Wynne, 3rd Ward, said, "This problem isn't unique to us. We should look at what innovative steps other municipalities have taken - or maybe we need to be the innovative community."

Ron Fleckman, a board member of the Evanston Community Development Corporation, said ECDC "has the resources to probably take on up to 10 of these properties. We have workforce development kids learning trades to do rehab or new construction and could put houses back on the market in an affordable price range."

Ald. Bernstein said, "The ordinance needs to create motivated sellers. We need to get those properties on the market. The only way to do that is to create leverage, so we have the ability to demolish and take them over."

The aldermen asked the City's legal staff to develop a stronger ordinance for them to consider at an upcoming meeting.

Islamic Center to Take Over Former Church

By Bill Smith

This unfinished church building at 2045 Brown Ave. will soon be completed to become the Bangladesh Islamic Community Center.

The little Brown Avenue church at the corner of Bridge Street will soon become an Islamic community center. City Council last week unanimously approved a zoning variation requested by the Bangladesh Islamic Community Center that allowed it to take over the unfinished church building at 2045 Brown Ave.

Fifteen years ago, when construction of the church was approved, the church group had a lease from the City for parking on the lot near the Ecology Center, just across the North Shore Channel from the church, which is itself leased by the City from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. But after the church's lease expired, the City was no longer willing to agree to such leases, leaving the building now parking spaces short of the 40 required by the zoning code.

Mayor Lorraine Morton, who lives two blocks away from the site, said just before the March 12 vote that she was concerned about traffic congestion in the area, especially in the summer when the parks nearby are heavily used.

But Community Development Director James Wolinski said the main service at the mosque would be from noon to 2 p.m. on Fridays, which he suggested would present minimal parking problems.

Group leaders said about 100 people would likely attend the Friday service, with perhaps 30 to 40 people at brief daily sunrise prayer services and even smaller numbers for four other daily prayer meetings.

Alderman Delores Holmes, 5th Ward, said that additional parking could be available if needed at the Faith Temple Church nearby and at the Family Focus center.

She said the Islamic center leaders had attended two Fifth Ward meetings to explain their plans to neighbors.

Architect Asad Hussain said the group will need to fix several problems with the building that were created when the original owners failed to follow plans approved by the City.

He said it was difficult to estimate how long it would take to complete the work, but added he hopes that after getting City permits the group will be able to begin work on the project this summer.

"The basement is where most of the problems are," Mr. Hussain said, "and we want to fix that first."

The group plans to provide social service programs for the community, including vocational and computer skills training.

Mr. Wolinski said the City staff "heartily supports" the recommendation by the Zoning Board of Appeals to approve the variation request. He said the building has been under construction since 1992, and he believes the new owners "will enhance the building and be a positive addition to the community."

"This site," he added, "has been a less- than-desirable gateway into the City from McCormick Boulevard for way too long."