Three themes dominated the news in Evanston in July — the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, protests over police practices and an outburst of gun violence that left three people dead late in the month.
Here’s a rundown of the month’s most-read stories:
- ‘Black Lives Matter’ street art defaced — July 4 — Someone defaced the newly painted Black Lives Matter sign on Dodge Avenue overnight by tossing what appeared to be about a gallon of white paint across a couple of the letters.
- CTA planning for a changed future — July 9 — In addition to buying candy bars and chips, you may soon be able to purchase personal protective equipment, masks, from vending machines at Chicago Transit Authority “L” stations.
- Evanston has third homicide in a week — July 26 — Evanston police say a man was shot in the neck about 3 p.m. today in the 1900 block of Hartrey Avenue.
- City has second homicide in a week — July 25 — After going more than a year without a fatal shooting, Evanston has now had two homicides in less than a week.
- ‘Black Lives Matter’ painted on street at ETHS — July 3 — Members of the Evanston Township High School basketball team spent the day today using yellow road marking paint to add a giant Black Lives Matter sign to the Dodge Avenue pavement in front of the school.
- Shooting victim was Glenview man — July 24 — Evanston police say the man shot to death early Thursday morning near the CTA Red Line station on Howard Street was a 20-year-old resident of Glenview.
- Condo complex sold for $17 million — July 2 — An Evanston condominium complex has been sold to a developer, North Park Ventures, that’s converting the property to rental apartments.
- ETHS teachers question reopening plans — July 14 — Teachers at Evanston Township High School are giving low marks to the ETHS school reopening framework — or giving it an incomplete at best.
- Evanston firms that got top PPP payouts — July 8 — Nearly 1,500 Evanston-based businesses have received funds from the federal government under the Paycheck Protection Program enacted in response to economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Metra seeks injunction against Union Pacific — July 22 — Metra, the regional commuter rail service, is asking a federal agency for an order against Union Pacific, the railroad that runs Metra’s trains through Evanston and many other suburban communities.