Evanston Now has learned that Mayor Daniel Biss has selected Juan Geracaris, a senior system administrator at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, as the new council member for Evanston’s 9th Ward.
It’s believed Geracaris would become the first Hispanic member of the City Council.
The word of his appointment came from two of the other six candidates who had sought the position. The mayor informed those who had not been chosen of his pick late Tuesday afternoon.
Geracaris, who moved to Evanston 14 years ago to attend Northwestern, is vice president of Evanston Latinos and an organizer of Next Steps for Transformation, a non-profit that seeks to build anti-racist schools.
He has two children who are students at Oakton Elementary School and is vice president of the Oakton PTA.
His appointment is subject to confirmation by the full City Council.
Cicely Fleming, who was first elected 9th Ward alderman in 2017, announced in December that she was resigning from the position. Her resignation became effective earlier this month.
Geracaris will serve until next year when an election will be held to fill the remaining two years of Fleming’s term.
Update 12:05 p.m.: In announcing the appointment this noon, Biss said, “Juan has demonstrated his commitment to making Evanston more affordable, accessible, and sustainable through extensive community involvement.”
The mayor’s statement quoted Geracaris as saying, “I will do my best to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard.”
Update 12:45 p.m.: Following the mayor’s announcement, Sebastian Nalls, one of the other residents who sought to have Biss pick them for the 9th Ward job, announced that he plans to run to replace Geracaris in the 2023 special election.
Nalls finished third in the 2021 race for mayor that was won by Biss.