Sure, Sloane's promises of zero-based budgeting sound good but consider...
Sloane campaigned on promises to invest in more recreational facilities, including a new ice rink at Robert Crown.
Sloane also campaigned that "health insurance costs for city workers are higher than what he's seen in private industry and deserve to be reexamined."
OK, so now Evanston is $8 million in the hole, and so far, NO UNION CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN LAID OFF in this severe Recession with a state unemployment rate at 10.2 percent. Property tax rates continue to rise as property values continue to plunge.
We have the president of the city union employees on the task force.
And you're telling me that Sloane who seems to be concerned that union city employers are paying too much for health insurance and wants to build a new ice rink with a budget $8 million in the red is going to provide the task force with sound fiscal advice?
Sorry, but the obvious is real clear here, folks. It's time to LAY OFF CITY EMPLOYEES!!!!!! Labor costs is the biggest budget expense by far.
Does anyone really think the task force will recommend laying off some union employees when the president of the union is on the task force, and the guy chairing the task force is really concerned that these union employees are paying too much in their health care coverage?
BTW-THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ENDORSED SLOANE!!!!!
Sure, Sloane will do an excellent job heading these cats. It's an EZ task for him really because the entire task force is cast from the same mold.
I think Mark Sloane's comments are the direction the committte should follow. It seems that a moderate to long term thorough review of the budget and its process will provide the city, its staff and its residents with more of a sense of predictability and stability.
Hopefully, the silver lining of this economic downturn will be that we as a city we can adapt an economically sustainable existance without over burdening our residents and businesses.
I wish all the best to the committee for its sorely needed work.
Unfortunately, this panel, or commission is ideology driven and not focused on the realities of the situation.
Do you really think these members of this panel really have OUR interests in mind? Or, do they have their entitlement / social engineering, welfare initiatives as the priority? Same has to be stated for the unions.
I refer to Rahm's comment - a crisis is a terrible thing to waste.
I believe that any realistic and sound decision, not only on the city budget, but in every major facit of Evanston government is clouded by this Democrate ideology.
The net result - our taxes will continue to rise.
The net result - continued erosion of exceptionalism and adoption of averageness. Social engineering and class warfare if you want a better definition.
If you do not think this is the case, I submit to you the actions of Congress in D.C.
Does anyone know anything about the 3 coyotes killing a dog Friday evening around 6 p.m. at Greenwood & Sheridan Rd. across from the Dawes house? I heard it happen and saw 2 of the coyotes, but not the 3rd with the dog's body.
His budget expertise will be a huge plus as the city is forced to make tough choices. Reality has finally appeared in the Free Republic, and that's a good thing.
Bike Lady says:
"Oh, and I ride a bike, so I get a very close-up look at potholes. I'll try very hard to stay average for you, how about that?
No no no..that's not what I want. If you read my note, I did not say that I want average people in our government. I said "nobody seems to be representing the average taxpaying Joe Shortstack"
I want board members, and aldermen, to be looking out for the interests of the average taxpaying resident...that doesn't mean that I want a bunch of mediocre people running our government, just like I would like a doctor to take care of average people...but I don't want the doctor to be an average person who doesn't know anything about medicine.
I am the Homesharing Coordinator for Interfaith Housing Center's Homesharing Program. I usually help match a homeowner who has one extra furnished bedroom for rent with one renter who needs an affordable room. For example, this program can assist an older retired homeowner who is living on a fixed income who needs extra monty to pay for home maintenance. The program can also help a low-income working homeowner who needs extra income to pay for house taxes. A renter might be for instance a social worker, a librarian, a graduate student, a contractual worker, a secretary, a waiter, a worker in retail sales, a bus driver - someone who cannot afford a market rate apartment or who needs a month to month rental. The room for rent is usually furnished. The renter shares the kitchen and laundry with the homeowner. Usually a homesharing match is between one homeowner and one renter.
Candace,
I really do appreciate your local work as the bike lady and on the Chute PTA. I am glad you're on the task force.
But as a conservative (we do exist in Evanston - icognito unfortunately) I find it hard to believe you would support conservative/Republican principles on the task force since you have described yourself as a liberal on Alderman Rainey's website.
I also don't understand your promise to stay average. What does that mean? What is average to you? Do you consider fiscal conservatives as average people?
Are you willing to cut city funded social programs?
Mayor Tisdahl, who got the sole support of the Democratic party in the last election, handpicked members of the task force. The task force will be making recommendations on budget cuts.
Tell me honestly Candace, do you really believe the task force will recommend laying off union city employees when you have the PRESIDENT of AFSCME on the task force?
Is anyone aware that Summers was behind the push that got 300 remaining non-union City of Evanston employees to join his union?
Here's a quote from Summers on the AFSCME website:
"The overall motivation of our members was that they thought it was unjustified for the city [Evanston] to try to balance the budget on the backs of half of the workforce."
Why in the world is the union even involved in making proposed recomendations to the city budget? It's like the fox guarding the henhouse.
It is unconsciable that Summers is on the task force. Summers was the proponent of the St. Francis Hospital referendum that tried to take away the hospital's non-profit status using the political muscle of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky in a strong arm tactic to get the hospital to unionize.
As I said before, the connections and interests between the unions and Democrats or those with sympathies to the Democrat party are deeply co-mingled.
Candace, is there ANYONE on the task force that either is a Republican or is truly a fiscal conservative? I really doubt it. Why is there no political diversity on the task force?
There is no doubt in my mind that Democrats are in bed with the unions. Our mayor and everyone on the Council are Democrats.
I'll be watching what the task force does, especially with the issue of city employee cutbacks, but I am not hopeful at all.
I'll bet you my last tax dollar that the task force will make recommendations that will ultimately lead to more borrowing, and thus, push the budget problems to be solved at a later date.
"Also, how tall would that tower have to be to house a 30% increase in population? At 25 units per floor and 2 people per unit, I compute that the building would have to be 450 stories tall to house 22,500 more people. That's 4 times as tall as the Sears Tower. Talk about an eyesore!
You are assuming that there is room for only one tower, and no further development. We could have a few towers downtown. Like I always say, you can never have too many towers.
I do like the idea of a 450-story building in downtown Evanston. Imagine how jealous the Emir of Dubai and the President of Malaysia would be if they saw our giant megatower!
That's why I was asked to join this team. Homeowner, not a Democrat, kids in public schools, my only big spending is my property tax bill, and college tuition this year.
Oh, and I ride a bike, so I get a very close-up look at potholes. I'll try very hard to stay average for you, how about that?
i agree with many of the commenters that the city should first look to cutting costs, and as a last resort to raising taxes. the elephant in the room, as several of you pointed out, is our unionized city employees.
perhaps it is time for the city to, as one of you put it, show some spine and take on the union. as alderman rainey so aptly said, st. francis has been a wonderful neighbor to evanston and her ward especially.
they have foregone the revenue they could be earning on parking fees to lighten the burden of cars in the 8th ward neighborhood around the hospital.
and just an addendum to the writer who commented on afscme's campaign a few years ago: late at night on the usa channel, afscme is running an ad that states that st. francis hospital has a shortage of nurses and is not accredited. both those statements are false.
afscme wants to organize resurrection health care because they have 11 thousand employees. interesting that they have not targeted northshore university health system.
stay tuned for some serious national and local fall-out on this ad campaign. and finally, the argument against charging for parking at the morton civic center is the same as at st. francis: it spares the neighborhood an inundation of cars who want to avoid the fee.
Perhaps the Council will listen to those on the outside if they don't believe the residents.
A questionnaire sent to those businesses that left Evanston and those that decided not to come to Evanston, would be very revealing.
I suspect anyone with common sense can guess, but still it would be interesting.
A few years Sears considered Evanston---I suspect taxes and the Council's perpetual 'decision making' killed that. [Perhaps the Council even was wanting a 'nuclear free zone' in their store like they debated forever with the Research Park.]
We can debate forever questions about the budget, but if we don't get business that employees residents [and yes including manufacturing] back and provide shopping for residents [instead of sending them to Chicago and Skokie] the efforts will probably be short-term at best. Evanston can not hope to be a 'bedroom community' and survive. The city plan has been un-focused [wanting to be a bedroom community, retirement, integrated, college, mixed-income, young professional and a miriad of other things] and apparently not doing any well enough to keep residents happy. Take away NU and Evanston Hospital and what do you have ?
A survey of past residents would also be interesting---but I doubt they would respond.
I was told, years ago, by an Evanston resident who lived here in the 1910's [and did until he died] that Evanston then was the Winnetka of its day but that crime and other things kept pushing that life further north.
Actually the City code is even more limiting
6.18.3 (Ord. 15-0-99) "that in no case shall the total occupancy of the dwelling unit exceed two (2) persons per bedroom."
A question is what about a couple and child in a 1B unit or even 2B units with children, and/or maybe elderly parents.
Let's get this straight.... parking for most who work, shop or play in Evanston comes at a cost and now the committee is looking at charging St. Francis Hospital for parking. One question - Do employees who work at City Hall -from the office employee to our mayor to our very own parking committee- get FREE parking at 2100 Ridge?????
You got elected to make tough choices. It is not a tough choice to think up ways for Evanston residents to cough up more money to the City.
Cut City expenses. That's what you need to do. Your suggestion seems to suggest that you are unwilling to do that.
If you have already decided that you cannot cut City expenses, you do not belong on the City Council. I invite you to resign if this is the best that you can do.
Show some fiscal restraint. Your allegiance to goofy schemes does not help the City or citizens' confidence in you.
Increasing Evanston's population by 15 to 30% is not realistic and would take many years to achieve. And don't forget that an increase in population would be justification for more City hiring. After all, those new citizens would need new policemen, firemen, teachers, building inspectors etc to take care of them (or so the logic goes). Therefore, you would end up increasing both the numerator and the denominator and be back in the same predicament.
Also, how tall would that tower have to be to house a 30% increase in population? At 25 units per floor and 2 people per unit, I compute that the building would have to be 450 stories tall to house 22,500 more people. That's 4 times as tall as the Sears Tower. Talk about an eyesore!
St. Francis Hospital, a non-profit hospital, donates millions of dollars every year in charity. Evanston Hospital doesn't even come close to that number.
And the city has the gall and audacity to suggest that St. Francis executives end their free parking policy, which is part of the charitable spirit the hospital offers the community?
With an $8 million gap in the budget, shouldn't city officials consider that it might be time to permanently lay off city employees? Afterall, that is what most private businesses have been doing in order to survive during this severe Recession.
Yet, how many city employees have lost their jobs in cutbacks?
This suggestion of taxing St. Francis for parking tells me that city officals are still unwilling to make the really hard decisions that many organizations are facing, and that is firing employees, and cutting back on departmental budgets.
Also, I can't help to wonder if this has anything to do with the unions' (AFSCME) successful effort to put on a city ballot a few years back a referendum to strip the non-profit status of St. Francis Hospital. The unions claimed that St. Francis did not give enough in charity and should not have non-profit status.
Yes, this union along with the help of Democrat Congresswoman Jan Schakosky used strong-arm tactics to get the hospital chain to unionize by flexing its political muscle to take away it's non-profit status, and attempting to force the hospital to pay WAY more in taxes.
It didn't work. Voters struck it down and the Resurrection Hospital system is still not unionized.
I wonder if city officals simply don't want to lay off city employees because of the political power the unions wield. I also wonder if our city leaders' primary concern revolves around the interest of unions and not the interest of everyday, hardworking Evanstonians.
I wonder where the breaking point is for Evanstonians.
The mayor's budget task force scheduled to be confirmed Monday by the Evanston City Council includes a strong contingent of advocates for social programs as well as some business owners and people with financial management experience
Not a very progressive group...the unions are represented, and a lot of groups that spend money are represented, and the Central Street NIMBY Association is represented...but nobody seems to be representing the average taxpaying Joe Shortstack .
Maybe the much overused 'only Nixon could go to China' / 'only De Gaulle could pull out of Algeria' / 'only Begin could make peace with Egypt' analogy will play out here, and this group of big-spenders will be forced to make necessary budget cuts....but I doubt it.
This task force is comprised of a who's who in entitlement programs and it tells me one thing - social programs that get city funding will remain intact and not be stripped from the budget.
That means groups like the affordable housing task force, which has been grossly unsuccessful in selling affordable condos all on the taxpayer's dime, will continue on it's reckless and expensive ways. In fact, this group had the audacity to ask the city for MORE MONEY!!!
There is a lot of overlapping between local charity, state and federal grants and city funded programs that help the needy. This would be an ideal time for city leaders to pinpoint those areas and cut back on its funding to some of these programs.
The most distrubing part of this task force is the presence of the president of the local AFSCME union. That certainly will assure no cutbacks in city union employees - just about everybody on the city payroll - and the most expensive item in any city budget.
I hate to say it, but this is what you get when most if not everyone on the City Council are members of the Democratic party - the party I am now convinced is nothing but a taxing machine.
The problems all Americans are facing is serious. To solve it, everybody has to be willing to take a haircut and make some sacrifices.
Unfortunately, those who play the system are the most secure and those in the private sector are most at risk.
With a 10.2 unemployment rate statewide, why is it that few if any city, county and state employees - most unionized - have not lost their jobs? Why is corruption running rampant in our state politics during this crisis?
Why have the property tax rates gone up despite three years of property value decline?
Why is the county sales tax - 10.5 percent - the highest in the nation?
The answer is simple, in my honest opinion - democracy has broken down, and we find ourselves living under a one party system that rules with impunity.
I am not going to pile on Ald Burrus because I don't know what she said, not having been present. I can tell you that St. Francis Hospital is the best institutional neighbor any community could have.
For years, like all other owners of garages, they charged patients, visitors and employees. Neighbors and I went back and forth with the hospital for years over the issue of congestion and 24 hour, 3 shift parking in the neighborhood. The hospital administration was always supportive of the neighbors and the problems posed by the tremendous number of cars not wanting to pay the parking fee. At some point, years ago, after collaborating with neighbors, the hospital announced a free parking policy. All the lots and garage are now free to the public and employees.
Under certain circumstances and with permission, the hospital allows neighbors to park over night in the garage and lots. St Francis employees and doctors contribute the proceeds of the employee picnic to Oakton School. This year it was just over $1500 and will be used for the edible garden. Many do not know but the hospital has a corporate daycare. 20 slots are subsidized and available for neighborhood children. Further, St Frances is one of Evanston's largest property tax payers and employers.
The hospital is not going to charge for parking and we are not going to collect a parking tax from them. I think we should make a greater effort to have Cook County repeal its parking tax. Each month the city collects and remits to the county a garage parking tax. September yielded $9,203.01.
Sherman Avenue $3,777.84
Maple Avenue $2,190.62
Church St $3,234.55
Sept 09 total $9,203.01
What will they think of next? Installing vending machines along residential parkways to raise city revenue? Surrounded by attractive shrubs, of course!
First let me say that I am in favor of the Home Sharing program. Economizing at any time, not just during a recession, is always how people get through when money is tight and times are tough. I am assuming that the program is geared toward low income families and people on a fixed income. This is all good, but my question is....
How is the program allowable with Evanston's occupancy ordinance that does not allow more than 3 unrelated people to live in the same unit or house? Are these families being moved into licensed rooming houses? Or does the occupancy ordinance only apply to students? My sense is that the ordinance was created and has and only been applied when there is a student occupancy issue. I think that the city staff should take a serious look at the constitutionality of this ordinance.
Unless the Council and whatever other groups are formed, seriously consider the South and North Branch library, it will be hard for residents to see them making an honest effort.
While everyone would like libraries [and many things] very near to them, the branches are probably the lowest hanging fruit and easiest to make a decision on.
Both are on a bus route and probably are used most by those within a five block walking distance---others would probably drive there anyway.
If the city was serious about meeting an educational need, they probably would have one in the west or south-west area anywhere where the need would be greater anyway and transportation to the Main library not as good.
What are the budget savings closing these would bring ?
If you are so sure it is a good idea, why don't you go down there yourself and ask the St. Francis Hospital executives to start charging its patients for parking?
I would love to be a fly on the wall when they tell you to buzz off and get lost. It is a private hospital and what I would assume is privately owned land. The city should have no right to even ask them to consider this.
What's next? Is the city going to suggest that St. Francis Hospital start offering abortions so that they can tack on a 10% sales tax to raise revenue?
This statement and thought process by Alderman Burrus should outrage everyone!
Get a life alderman. You want to tax people to death. Perhaps you should be lobbying for Northwestern to pay the city some taxes. Then the dollar shortfall would disappear
Sure, Sloane's promises of zero-based budgeting sound good but consider...
Sloane campaigned on promises to invest in more recreational facilities, including a new ice rink at Robert Crown.
Sloane also campaigned that "health insurance costs for city workers are higher than what he's seen in private industry and deserve to be reexamined."
OK, so now Evanston is $8 million in the hole, and so far, NO UNION CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN LAID OFF in this severe Recession with a state unemployment rate at 10.2 percent. Property tax rates continue to rise as property values continue to plunge.
We have the president of the city union employees on the task force.
And you're telling me that Sloane who seems to be concerned that union city employers are paying too much for health insurance and wants to build a new ice rink with a budget $8 million in the red is going to provide the task force with sound fiscal advice?
Sorry, but the obvious is real clear here, folks. It's time to LAY OFF CITY EMPLOYEES!!!!!! Labor costs is the biggest budget expense by far.
Does anyone really think the task force will recommend laying off some union employees when the president of the union is on the task force, and the guy chairing the task force is really concerned that these union employees are paying too much in their health care coverage?
BTW-THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ENDORSED SLOANE!!!!!
Sure, Sloane will do an excellent job heading these cats. It's an EZ task for him really because the entire task force is cast from the same mold.
I think Mark Sloane's comments are the direction the committte should follow. It seems that a moderate to long term thorough review of the budget and its process will provide the city, its staff and its residents with more of a sense of predictability and stability.
Hopefully, the silver lining of this economic downturn will be that we as a city we can adapt an economically sustainable existance without over burdening our residents and businesses.
I wish all the best to the committee for its sorely needed work.
Congratulations Mayor for the forethought.
Unfortunately, this panel, or commission is ideology driven and not focused on the realities of the situation.
Do you really think these members of this panel really have OUR interests in mind? Or, do they have their entitlement / social engineering, welfare initiatives as the priority? Same has to be stated for the unions.
I refer to Rahm's comment - a crisis is a terrible thing to waste.
I believe that any realistic and sound decision, not only on the city budget, but in every major facit of Evanston government is clouded by this Democrate ideology.
The net result - our taxes will continue to rise.
The net result - continued erosion of exceptionalism and adoption of averageness. Social engineering and class warfare if you want a better definition.
If you do not think this is the case, I submit to you the actions of Congress in D.C.
Does anyone know anything about the 3 coyotes killing a dog Friday evening around 6 p.m. at Greenwood & Sheridan Rd. across from the Dawes house? I heard it happen and saw 2 of the coyotes, but not the 3rd with the dog's body.
His budget expertise will be a huge plus as the city is forced to make tough choices. Reality has finally appeared in the Free Republic, and that's a good thing.
Bike Lady says:
"Oh, and I ride a bike, so I get a very close-up look at potholes. I'll try very hard to stay average for you, how about that?
No no no..that's not what I want. If you read my note, I did not say that I want average people in our government. I said "nobody seems to be representing the average taxpaying Joe Shortstack"
I want board members, and aldermen, to be looking out for the interests of the average taxpaying resident...that doesn't mean that I want a bunch of mediocre people running our government, just like I would like a doctor to take care of average people...but I don't want the doctor to be an average person who doesn't know anything about medicine.
I am the Homesharing Coordinator for Interfaith Housing Center's Homesharing Program. I usually help match a homeowner who has one extra furnished bedroom for rent with one renter who needs an affordable room. For example, this program can assist an older retired homeowner who is living on a fixed income who needs extra monty to pay for home maintenance. The program can also help a low-income working homeowner who needs extra income to pay for house taxes. A renter might be for instance a social worker, a librarian, a graduate student, a contractual worker, a secretary, a waiter, a worker in retail sales, a bus driver - someone who cannot afford a market rate apartment or who needs a month to month rental. The room for rent is usually furnished. The renter shares the kitchen and laundry with the homeowner. Usually a homesharing match is between one homeowner and one renter.
Candace,
I really do appreciate your local work as the bike lady and on the Chute PTA. I am glad you're on the task force.
But as a conservative (we do exist in Evanston - icognito unfortunately) I find it hard to believe you would support conservative/Republican principles on the task force since you have described yourself as a liberal on Alderman Rainey's website.
I also don't understand your promise to stay average. What does that mean? What is average to you? Do you consider fiscal conservatives as average people?
Are you willing to cut city funded social programs?
Mayor Tisdahl, who got the sole support of the Democratic party in the last election, handpicked members of the task force. The task force will be making recommendations on budget cuts.
Tell me honestly Candace, do you really believe the task force will recommend laying off union city employees when you have the PRESIDENT of AFSCME on the task force?
Is anyone aware that Summers was behind the push that got 300 remaining non-union City of Evanston employees to join his union?
Here's a quote from Summers on the AFSCME website:
"The overall motivation of our members was that they thought it was unjustified for the city [Evanston] to try to balance the budget on the backs of half of the workforce."
Why in the world is the union even involved in making proposed recomendations to the city budget? It's like the fox guarding the henhouse.
It is unconsciable that Summers is on the task force. Summers was the proponent of the St. Francis Hospital referendum that tried to take away the hospital's non-profit status using the political muscle of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky in a strong arm tactic to get the hospital to unionize.
As I said before, the connections and interests between the unions and Democrats or those with sympathies to the Democrat party are deeply co-mingled.
Candace, is there ANYONE on the task force that either is a Republican or is truly a fiscal conservative? I really doubt it. Why is there no political diversity on the task force?
There is no doubt in my mind that Democrats are in bed with the unions. Our mayor and everyone on the Council are Democrats.
I'll be watching what the task force does, especially with the issue of city employee cutbacks, but I am not hopeful at all.
I'll bet you my last tax dollar that the task force will make recommendations that will ultimately lead to more borrowing, and thus, push the budget problems to be solved at a later date.
"Also, how tall would that tower have to be to house a 30% increase in population? At 25 units per floor and 2 people per unit, I compute that the building would have to be 450 stories tall to house 22,500 more people. That's 4 times as tall as the Sears Tower. Talk about an eyesore!
You are assuming that there is room for only one tower, and no further development. We could have a few towers downtown. Like I always say, you can never have too many towers.
I do like the idea of a 450-story building in downtown Evanston. Imagine how jealous the Emir of Dubai and the President of Malaysia would be if they saw our giant megatower!
That's why I was asked to join this team. Homeowner, not a Democrat, kids in public schools, my only big spending is my property tax bill, and college tuition this year.
Oh, and I ride a bike, so I get a very close-up look at potholes. I'll try very hard to stay average for you, how about that?
i agree with many of the commenters that the city should first look to cutting costs, and as a last resort to raising taxes. the elephant in the room, as several of you pointed out, is our unionized city employees.
perhaps it is time for the city to, as one of you put it, show some spine and take on the union. as alderman rainey so aptly said, st. francis has been a wonderful neighbor to evanston and her ward especially.
they have foregone the revenue they could be earning on parking fees to lighten the burden of cars in the 8th ward neighborhood around the hospital.
and just an addendum to the writer who commented on afscme's campaign a few years ago: late at night on the usa channel, afscme is running an ad that states that st. francis hospital has a shortage of nurses and is not accredited. both those statements are false.
afscme wants to organize resurrection health care because they have 11 thousand employees. interesting that they have not targeted northshore university health system.
stay tuned for some serious national and local fall-out on this ad campaign. and finally, the argument against charging for parking at the morton civic center is the same as at st. francis: it spares the neighborhood an inundation of cars who want to avoid the fee.
Perhaps the Council will listen to those on the outside if they don't believe the residents.
A questionnaire sent to those businesses that left Evanston and those that decided not to come to Evanston, would be very revealing.
I suspect anyone with common sense can guess, but still it would be interesting.
A few years Sears considered Evanston---I suspect taxes and the Council's perpetual 'decision making' killed that. [Perhaps the Council even was wanting a 'nuclear free zone' in their store like they debated forever with the Research Park.]
We can debate forever questions about the budget, but if we don't get business that employees residents [and yes including manufacturing] back and provide shopping for residents [instead of sending them to Chicago and Skokie] the efforts will probably be short-term at best. Evanston can not hope to be a 'bedroom community' and survive. The city plan has been un-focused [wanting to be a bedroom community, retirement, integrated, college, mixed-income, young professional and a miriad of other things] and apparently not doing any well enough to keep residents happy. Take away NU and Evanston Hospital and what do you have ?
A survey of past residents would also be interesting---but I doubt they would respond.
I was told, years ago, by an Evanston resident who lived here in the 1910's [and did until he died] that Evanston then was the Winnetka of its day but that crime and other things kept pushing that life further north.
Actually the City code is even more limiting
6.18.3 (Ord. 15-0-99) "that in no case shall the total occupancy of the dwelling unit exceed two (2) persons per bedroom."
A question is what about a couple and child in a 1B unit or even 2B units with children, and/or maybe elderly parents.
Let's get this straight.... parking for most who work, shop or play in Evanston comes at a cost and now the committee is looking at charging St. Francis Hospital for parking. One question - Do employees who work at City Hall -from the office employee to our mayor to our very own parking committee- get FREE parking at 2100 Ridge?????
Imagine what a source of income we've missed!
Aldermen (and specifically Alderman Burrus):
You got elected to make tough choices. It is not a tough choice to think up ways for Evanston residents to cough up more money to the City.
Cut City expenses. That's what you need to do. Your suggestion seems to suggest that you are unwilling to do that.
If you have already decided that you cannot cut City expenses, you do not belong on the City Council. I invite you to resign if this is the best that you can do.
Show some fiscal restraint. Your allegiance to goofy schemes does not help the City or citizens' confidence in you.
Increasing Evanston's population by 15 to 30% is not realistic and would take many years to achieve. And don't forget that an increase in population would be justification for more City hiring. After all, those new citizens would need new policemen, firemen, teachers, building inspectors etc to take care of them (or so the logic goes). Therefore, you would end up increasing both the numerator and the denominator and be back in the same predicament.
Also, how tall would that tower have to be to house a 30% increase in population? At 25 units per floor and 2 people per unit, I compute that the building would have to be 450 stories tall to house 22,500 more people. That's 4 times as tall as the Sears Tower. Talk about an eyesore!
St. Francis Hospital, a non-profit hospital, donates millions of dollars every year in charity. Evanston Hospital doesn't even come close to that number.
And the city has the gall and audacity to suggest that St. Francis executives end their free parking policy, which is part of the charitable spirit the hospital offers the community?
With an $8 million gap in the budget, shouldn't city officials consider that it might be time to permanently lay off city employees? Afterall, that is what most private businesses have been doing in order to survive during this severe Recession.
Yet, how many city employees have lost their jobs in cutbacks?
This suggestion of taxing St. Francis for parking tells me that city officals are still unwilling to make the really hard decisions that many organizations are facing, and that is firing employees, and cutting back on departmental budgets.
Also, I can't help to wonder if this has anything to do with the unions' (AFSCME) successful effort to put on a city ballot a few years back a referendum to strip the non-profit status of St. Francis Hospital. The unions claimed that St. Francis did not give enough in charity and should not have non-profit status.
Yes, this union along with the help of Democrat Congresswoman Jan Schakosky used strong-arm tactics to get the hospital chain to unionize by flexing its political muscle to take away it's non-profit status, and attempting to force the hospital to pay WAY more in taxes.
It didn't work. Voters struck it down and the Resurrection Hospital system is still not unionized.
I wonder if city officals simply don't want to lay off city employees because of the political power the unions wield. I also wonder if our city leaders' primary concern revolves around the interest of unions and not the interest of everyday, hardworking Evanstonians.
I wonder where the breaking point is for Evanstonians.
The mayor's budget task force scheduled to be confirmed Monday by the Evanston City Council includes a strong contingent of advocates for social programs as well as some business owners and people with financial management experience
Not a very progressive group...the unions are represented, and a lot of groups that spend money are represented, and the Central Street NIMBY Association is represented...but nobody seems to be representing the average taxpaying Joe Shortstack .
Maybe the much overused 'only Nixon could go to China' / 'only De Gaulle could pull out of Algeria' / 'only Begin could make peace with Egypt' analogy will play out here, and this group of big-spenders will be forced to make necessary budget cuts....but I doubt it.
This task force is comprised of a who's who in entitlement programs and it tells me one thing - social programs that get city funding will remain intact and not be stripped from the budget.
That means groups like the affordable housing task force, which has been grossly unsuccessful in selling affordable condos all on the taxpayer's dime, will continue on it's reckless and expensive ways. In fact, this group had the audacity to ask the city for MORE MONEY!!!
There is a lot of overlapping between local charity, state and federal grants and city funded programs that help the needy. This would be an ideal time for city leaders to pinpoint those areas and cut back on its funding to some of these programs.
The most distrubing part of this task force is the presence of the president of the local AFSCME union. That certainly will assure no cutbacks in city union employees - just about everybody on the city payroll - and the most expensive item in any city budget.
I hate to say it, but this is what you get when most if not everyone on the City Council are members of the Democratic party - the party I am now convinced is nothing but a taxing machine.
The problems all Americans are facing is serious. To solve it, everybody has to be willing to take a haircut and make some sacrifices.
Unfortunately, those who play the system are the most secure and those in the private sector are most at risk.
With a 10.2 unemployment rate statewide, why is it that few if any city, county and state employees - most unionized - have not lost their jobs? Why is corruption running rampant in our state politics during this crisis?
Why have the property tax rates gone up despite three years of property value decline?
Why is the county sales tax - 10.5 percent - the highest in the nation?
The answer is simple, in my honest opinion - democracy has broken down, and we find ourselves living under a one party system that rules with impunity.
I am not going to pile on Ald Burrus because I don't know what she said, not having been present. I can tell you that St. Francis Hospital is the best institutional neighbor any community could have.
For years, like all other owners of garages, they charged patients, visitors and employees. Neighbors and I went back and forth with the hospital for years over the issue of congestion and 24 hour, 3 shift parking in the neighborhood. The hospital administration was always supportive of the neighbors and the problems posed by the tremendous number of cars not wanting to pay the parking fee. At some point, years ago, after collaborating with neighbors, the hospital announced a free parking policy. All the lots and garage are now free to the public and employees.
Under certain circumstances and with permission, the hospital allows neighbors to park over night in the garage and lots. St Francis employees and doctors contribute the proceeds of the employee picnic to Oakton School. This year it was just over $1500 and will be used for the edible garden. Many do not know but the hospital has a corporate daycare. 20 slots are subsidized and available for neighborhood children. Further, St Frances is one of Evanston's largest property tax payers and employers.
The hospital is not going to charge for parking and we are not going to collect a parking tax from them. I think we should make a greater effort to have Cook County repeal its parking tax. Each month the city collects and remits to the county a garage parking tax. September yielded $9,203.01.
Sherman Avenue $3,777.84
Maple Avenue $2,190.62
Church St $3,234.55
Sept 09 total $9,203.01
Ann Rainey
What will they think of next? Installing vending machines along residential parkways to raise city revenue? Surrounded by attractive shrubs, of course!
First let me say that I am in favor of the Home Sharing program. Economizing at any time, not just during a recession, is always how people get through when money is tight and times are tough. I am assuming that the program is geared toward low income families and people on a fixed income. This is all good, but my question is....
How is the program allowable with Evanston's occupancy ordinance that does not allow more than 3 unrelated people to live in the same unit or house? Are these families being moved into licensed rooming houses? Or does the occupancy ordinance only apply to students? My sense is that the ordinance was created and has and only been applied when there is a student occupancy issue. I think that the city staff should take a serious look at the constitutionality of this ordinance.
Unless the Council and whatever other groups are formed, seriously consider the South and North Branch library, it will be hard for residents to see them making an honest effort.
While everyone would like libraries [and many things] very near to them, the branches are probably the lowest hanging fruit and easiest to make a decision on.
Both are on a bus route and probably are used most by those within a five block walking distance---others would probably drive there anyway.
If the city was serious about meeting an educational need, they probably would have one in the west or south-west area anywhere where the need would be greater anyway and transportation to the Main library not as good.
What are the budget savings closing these would bring ?
Dear Ms. Alderman Colleen Burrus...
If you are so sure it is a good idea, why don't you go down there yourself and ask the St. Francis Hospital executives to start charging its patients for parking?
I would love to be a fly on the wall when they tell you to buzz off and get lost. It is a private hospital and what I would assume is privately owned land. The city should have no right to even ask them to consider this.
What's next? Is the city going to suggest that St. Francis Hospital start offering abortions so that they can tack on a 10% sales tax to raise revenue?
This statement and thought process by Alderman Burrus should outrage everyone!
Get a life alderman. You want to tax people to death. Perhaps you should be lobbying for Northwestern to pay the city some taxes. Then the dollar shortfall would disappear