COVID-19 dominated the news in Evanston, and just about everywhere else last month. But some other stories also drew reader interest.
We’ve altered our usual practice in building our top stories list this month, by including only the highest-ranked daily COVID-19 case count story. If we hadn’t, hardly any other stories would have made the cut. With that qualification, here’s a list of the month’s top stories.
- Big spike in COVID-19 cases in Evanston — April 12 — Evanston reported its largest increase in COVID-19 cases of the pandemic so far today — 18 new cases, bringing the total confirmed infections in the city to 174.
- A look at COVID-19 rates in nearby towns — April 1 — Cook County’s Department of Public Health has started releasing a breakdown of the number of COVID-19 cases by community, which shows that the highest case rate in the north suburbs is in Kenilworth where among just over 2,500 people there are 10 cases.
- Landlords fail to block affordable housing plan — April 14 — Two Evanston landlords failed in efforts Monday to block a plan to build an affordable accessory dwelling unit on a property at 1930 Jackson Ave.
- At least four COVID-19 deaths in Evanston long-term-care facilities — April 19 — Figures released by the Illinois Department of Public Health today indicate at least 19 cases of COVID-19 have been reported at long-term-care facilities in Evanston along with at least four deaths.
- City may explore selling downtown garage — April 26 — City staff, in a memo summarizing a consultant’s report, suggest Evanston should consider selling its Church Street parking garage.
- NU imposes pay freeze in COVID-19 response — April 20 — Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro says the school plans to freeze faculty and staff salaries for the coming school year as part of its response to financial pressures created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Office tower gets final OK — April 28 — Evanston aldermen voted 8-1 Monday to give final approval to plans for a 232-foot-tall office building on Davis Street just west of Chicago Avenue.
- Evanston to require masks while shopping — April 20 — Starting Thursday morning Evanston residents will be required to wear cloth face coverings when they work in or patronize local businesses.
- Aldermen get high-rise office plan — April 13 — Evanston aldermen will begin their review of two major construction projects at a virtual meeting this afternoon of the city’s Planning and Development Committee.
- Woman in car shot on Howard — April 27 — Evanston poilce say a 28-year-old Evanston woman was shot early this afternoon as she was riding in a car in the 500 block of Howard Street.