Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl today announced that she’s named Eleanor Revelle as the new 7th Ward alderman.
Revelle’s appointment will fill the vacancy created when Jane Grover resigned in December to take a job with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.
Tisdahl said she wanted to thank “all of the terrific people” who offered fill the aldermanic vacancy and residents who attended a ward meeting about the vacancy.
She said Revelle “is committed to improving the social and environmental well-being of our community, and will be a dedicated and enthusiastic alderman for 7th Ward residents.”
The City Council is scheduled to vote on confirming Revelle’s appointment on Monday, Jan. 25. Assuming the appointment is confirmed, Revelle is expected to be sworn in at the council’s Feb. 22 meeting.
Revelle the president of Citizens’ Greener Evanston, said, in a statement that she’s “worked extensively with City staff and elected officials to make Evanston a more sustainable community.”
“We have made good progress in advancing our environmental goals, but a sustainable community is also one whose economy is strong and whose residents are healthy and safe,” she added. “A number of very positive initiatives are underway to promote greater economic prosperity and social well-being in our community. As alderman, I look forward to supporting these initiatives and encouraging still more.”
Revelle is a 42-year resident of Evanston and has lived in the 7th Ward for 12 years. She has served in leadership positions in a broad range of civic organizations, including as president of the Evanston League of Women Voters, president of the Illinois League of Women Voters and board member for eight years of the League of Women Voters of the U.S.
She was also founding steering committee member of Leadership Evanston and board chair of the Evanston Community Foundation.
Internal candidate
Congratulations to our new alderwoman! As Mayor Tisdahl said, there were plenty of fine candidates to choose from and I’m sure Ald. Revelle will fill the position well. As one who also applied, I feel disappointed, but then, I didn’t win the Powerball either.
Ever have a big job interview? Agonized over the wording of your cover letter, wore your best suit, practiced your “elevator speech” in front of a mirror? Then, halfway thru the interview, you realize there’s an internal candidate and nothing you do or say will change the outcome? That was the feeling I was left with after the 7th Ward meeting.
I talked with many people about this appointment and I wish to thank them for their support. I appreciate the elected officials and judges who spoke on my behalf. My thanks go out to my friends in the Democratic Party of Evanston, to the Evanston Homebrew Club, to the Hockey Dads RC league and other Evanstonians in the 7th Ward and all of Evanston for writing letters of support. I wish I could serve you all as alderman, but I am left with the warm feeling of your support. Thank you.