Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Monday night’s City Council meeting on January 27, 2025, was one for the books. Residents packed the room to voice concerns about the Healthy Building Ordinance, a major clean energy proposal that would require large buildings—like apartment complexes, Northwestern University, Endeavor North Shore, District 65, and District 202—to switch from gas to electricity.
Supporters of climate action agree on the need for a cleaner, healthier Evanston. But the big questions remain:
✔ How much will this really cost?
✔ Will property taxes and rent skyrocket to fund these changes?
✔ Why is this ordinance being pushed so quickly without being thorough?
Alderperson Jonathan Nieuwsma, the lead sponsor, has been aggressively pushing for this to move forward. But when Alderperson Devon Reid asked valid, pressing questions about the financial and environmental impacts, city staff member Cara Pratt was not prepared to answer—and instead, broke down in tears in the middle of the meeting. Not only that—Pratt publicly disrespected Alderperson Reid in the process.
This intense moment raised even bigger questions. Has Evanston’s City Council given some city staff too much power? Have some staff members come to believe they are the true authority over elected officials and residents? Has the respect for city staff turned into unchecked power that now allows them to dismiss and disrespect both council members and the very people they serve?
Most residents want a clean, healthy environment—that’s a given. What they don’t want is for the city to rush through something this major and risk making mistakes that could impact their wallets and their health for generations. They want answers before the ordinance is pushed through!
📺 Watch the 42-minute highlight reel!
📺 Full meeting available on the City of Evanston YouTube Channel
What do you think? Should this ordinance be slowed down for further review, or is it time to move forward?
Be sure to attend our Candidate Forum! Your Voice. Your Vote. Your Future: Evanston Candidate Forum!
Date: Sunday, February 9, 2025
Time: 4 PM - 7 PM
Location: Former Second Church of Christ, 2715 Hurd Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201
This is the must-attend event for engaged Evanston voters who demand answers, accountability, and transparency from the people who want to lead our city.
The forum is broken into ward-specific segments, allowing residents to attend the portion that matters most to them—or stay for the entire event to hear from all the candidates, concluding with the mayoral segment.
#HealthyBuildingOrdinance #DevonReid #AlderpersonDevonReid #CaraPratt #EvanstonCityStaff
Monday night’s City Council meeting on January 27, 2025, was one for the books. Residents packed the room to voice concerns about the Healthy Building Ordinance, a major clean energy proposal that would require large buildings—like apartment complexes, Northwestern University, Endeavor North Shore, District 65, and District 202—to switch from gas to electricity.
Supporters of climate action agree on the need for a cleaner, healthier Evanston. But the big questions remain:
✔ How much will this really cost?
✔ Will property taxes and rent skyrocket to fund these changes?
✔ Why is this ordinance being pushed so quickly without being thorough?
Alderperson Jonathan Nieuwsma, the lead sponsor, has been aggressively pushing for this to move forward. But when Alderperson Devon Reid asked valid, pressing questions about the financial and environmental impacts, city staff member Cara Pratt was not prepared to answer—and instead, broke down in tears in the middle of the meeting. Not only that—Pratt publicly disrespected Alderperson Reid in the process.
This intense moment raised even bigger questions. Has Evanston’s City Council given some city staff too much power? Have some staff members come to believe they are the true authority over elected officials and residents? Has the respect for city staff turned into unchecked power that now allows them to dismiss and disrespect both council members and the very people they serve?
Most residents want a clean, healthy environment—that’s a given. What they don’t want is for the city to rush through something this major and risk making mistakes that could impact their wallets and their health for generations. They want answers before the ordinance is pushed through!
📺 Watch the 42-minute highlight reel!
📺 Full meeting available on the City of Evanston YouTube Channel
What do you think? Should this ordinance be slowed down for further review, or is it time to move forward?
Be sure to attend our Candidate Forum! Your Voice. Your Vote. Your Future: Evanston Candidate Forum!
Date: Sunday, February 9, 2025
Time: 4 PM - 7 PM
Location: Former Second Church of Christ, 2715 Hurd Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201
This is the must-attend event for engaged Evanston voters who demand answers, accountability, and transparency from the people who want to lead our city.
The forum is broken into ward-specific segments, allowing residents to attend the portion that matters most to them—or stay for the entire event to hear from all the candidates, concluding with the mayoral segment.
#HealthyBuildingOrdinance #DevonReid #AlderpersonDevonReid #CaraPratt #EvanstonCityStaff
