Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
If Mayor Daniel Biss wins his run for Congress, the Council could choose an Acting Mayor. Many expect Jonathan Nieuwsma will TRY to take that seat.
Before any vote happens, every resident should see what’s on the public record and decide if that’s who we want leading our city.
This isn’t gossip. These are meetings, motions, and documents.
Jonathan Nieuwsma gave out wrong information and it matters.
At Monday’s Rules Committee meeting, Nieuwsma told residents that a “motion to reconsider” only applies to ordinances and resolutions.
But the City’s rule says, in plain words:
“Any vote may be reconsidered … at the same meeting at which said vote was taken.”
Plain talk: why does this matter now?
Because changing the Acting Mayor rule from super-majority to simple majority lets a small bloc decide who gets the seat.
Nieuwsma already has a bloc aligned with Mayor Biss. With a simple majority, that bloc + his own vote could be enough to seat him.
Kelly, Suffredin, Davis, and Rodgers have watched his record and are unlikely to support him.
Making “reconsideration” sound limited shrinks your options and reduces pushback while rules get shifted.
Watch the clip: Councilmember Parielle Davis (an attorney) reads the rule herself and challenges him. You’ll also see Nieuwsma raise his hand while she’s speaking. Judge the tone and respect for yourself.
👉 Do we really want more of this if he becomes Acting Mayor?
Northwestern (Ryan Field) & the federal-court motion
During the Ryan Field fight, Mayor Biss authorized the City’s attorney to ask a federal judge to modify a long-standing consent decree between the City, NU, and residents.
Judge Nancy Maldonado denied the motion and said she was uncomfortable with what the City presented.
Councilmember Nieuwsma supported that approach and later described the filing to residents as “for clarification.” The court document itself sought a modification.
Read the filing. Decide for yourself if residents got the full picture.
The 909 Davis move (and an OMA violation)
Daniel Biss pushed moving City offices from land we own into a 15-year lease at 909 Davis without broad public input. Nieuwsma voted for the move and defended it publicly.
Later, the Illinois Attorney General found the City violated the Open Meetings Act tied to that process.
This is why accuracy and transparency are not “details” - they’re everything.
The missing $330,000 question
The Economic Development Committee (where Nieuwsma previously served) was linked to a $330,000 federal grant intended to support affordable housing. Public records show the money came in, but not where it went.
Residents still don’t have a clear, simple accounting. We deserve one.
The firefighter pension moment
When Firefighter Pension President Jack Mortell tried to raise concerns about how the City used pension funds, Nieuwsma cut him off and sided with staff before the issue was examined. Residents saw how quickly a citizen voice can be dismissed.
His own words about public comment
During a recent City Council meeting, you can hear it for yourself at this link (youtu.be/MPDmyDhblDk?si=KFmrjsryvjaxFBfR), Councilmember Jonathan Nieuwsma said that public comment is his least favorite part of meetings.
Think about that. Public comment is the one moment when residents can speak directly to their elected officials - the very people paid by their tax dollars to listen.
And let’s be real here...many residents have said that certain councilmembers, including Nieuwsma, rarely respond to emails or return phone calls. So, for many, public comment is the only time they can be heard.
If an elected official says public comment is their “least favorite part,”
👉 is that the person you want as Acting Mayor?
Because if someone doesn’t even value listening, what happens when they’re the one holding the gavel?
Public voices built this city. They deserve to be heard, not merely endured.
The pattern (plain talk)
When powerful moves come that hurt residents, higher costs, less voice, more deals, Nieuwsma doesn’t push back. He doesn’t question it. He doesn’t protect the people paying the bills.
If he becomes Acting Mayor, that pattern can continue. And once someone sits in that seat, incumbents usually keep it.
So, before the Council votes, ask yourself:
Do we want more of this if he becomes Acting Mayor?
Who stands up for residents when it counts?
Who reads, thinks, and votes for us - not for a bloc?
Leadership matters.
Watch, save, and act.
📺 Watch the 2-minute highlight clip. If you don’t have time now, save it and come back.🖥️ To see everything, watch the full meeting on the City of Evanston YouTube under Rules Committee. Then email your councilmember, Mayor Daniel Biss, and City Manager Luke Stowe. Tell them residents expect transparency, not rule changes that shrink your voice.
#Evanston #WhereThePeopleMeet #TransparencyMatters #ForThePeopleNotTheFew #MeleikaGardner #DanielBiss #JonathanNieuwsma
If Mayor Daniel Biss wins his run for Congress, the Council could choose an Acting Mayor. Many expect Jonathan Nieuwsma will TRY to take that seat.
Before any vote happens, every resident should see what’s on the public record and decide if that’s who we want leading our city.
This isn’t gossip. These are meetings, motions, and documents.
Jonathan Nieuwsma gave out wrong information and it matters.
At Monday’s Rules Committee meeting, Nieuwsma told residents that a “motion to reconsider” only applies to ordinances and resolutions.
But the City’s rule says, in plain words:
“Any vote may be reconsidered … at the same meeting at which said vote was taken.”
Plain talk: why does this matter now?
Because changing the Acting Mayor rule from super-majority to simple majority lets a small bloc decide who gets the seat.
Nieuwsma already has a bloc aligned with Mayor Biss. With a simple majority, that bloc + his own vote could be enough to seat him.
Kelly, Suffredin, Davis, and Rodgers have watched his record and are unlikely to support him.
Making “reconsideration” sound limited shrinks your options and reduces pushback while rules get shifted.
Watch the clip: Councilmember Parielle Davis (an attorney) reads the rule herself and challenges him. You’ll also see Nieuwsma raise his hand while she’s speaking. Judge the tone and respect for yourself.
👉 Do we really want more of this if he becomes Acting Mayor?
Northwestern (Ryan Field) & the federal-court motion
During the Ryan Field fight, Mayor Biss authorized the City’s attorney to ask a federal judge to modify a long-standing consent decree between the City, NU, and residents.
Judge Nancy Maldonado denied the motion and said she was uncomfortable with what the City presented.
Councilmember Nieuwsma supported that approach and later described the filing to residents as “for clarification.” The court document itself sought a modification.
Read the filing. Decide for yourself if residents got the full picture.
The 909 Davis move (and an OMA violation)
Daniel Biss pushed moving City offices from land we own into a 15-year lease at 909 Davis without broad public input. Nieuwsma voted for the move and defended it publicly.
Later, the Illinois Attorney General found the City violated the Open Meetings Act tied to that process.
This is why accuracy and transparency are not “details” - they’re everything.
The missing $330,000 question
The Economic Development Committee (where Nieuwsma previously served) was linked to a $330,000 federal grant intended to support affordable housing. Public records show the money came in, but not where it went.
Residents still don’t have a clear, simple accounting. We deserve one.
The firefighter pension moment
When Firefighter Pension President Jack Mortell tried to raise concerns about how the City used pension funds, Nieuwsma cut him off and sided with staff before the issue was examined. Residents saw how quickly a citizen voice can be dismissed.
His own words about public comment
During a recent City Council meeting, you can hear it for yourself at this link (youtu.be/MPDmyDhblDk?si=KFmrjsryvjaxFBfR), Councilmember Jonathan Nieuwsma said that public comment is his least favorite part of meetings.
Think about that. Public comment is the one moment when residents can speak directly to their elected officials - the very people paid by their tax dollars to listen.
And let’s be real here...many residents have said that certain councilmembers, including Nieuwsma, rarely respond to emails or return phone calls. So, for many, public comment is the only time they can be heard.
If an elected official says public comment is their “least favorite part,”
👉 is that the person you want as Acting Mayor?
Because if someone doesn’t even value listening, what happens when they’re the one holding the gavel?
Public voices built this city. They deserve to be heard, not merely endured.
The pattern (plain talk)
When powerful moves come that hurt residents, higher costs, less voice, more deals, Nieuwsma doesn’t push back. He doesn’t question it. He doesn’t protect the people paying the bills.
If he becomes Acting Mayor, that pattern can continue. And once someone sits in that seat, incumbents usually keep it.
So, before the Council votes, ask yourself:
Do we want more of this if he becomes Acting Mayor?
Who stands up for residents when it counts?
Who reads, thinks, and votes for us - not for a bloc?
Leadership matters.
Watch, save, and act.
📺 Watch the 2-minute highlight clip. If you don’t have time now, save it and come back.🖥️ To see everything, watch the full meeting on the City of Evanston YouTube under Rules Committee. Then email your councilmember, Mayor Daniel Biss, and City Manager Luke Stowe. Tell them residents expect transparency, not rule changes that shrink your voice.
#Evanston #WhereThePeopleMeet #TransparencyMatters #ForThePeopleNotTheFew #MeleikaGardner #DanielBiss #JonathanNieuwsma
