Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
If you thought Part 1 was explosiveā¦ wait until you see this.
This 13-minute video compiles the moments they didnāt want you to hear - the voices of truth, reason, and compassion cutting through the politics.
Watch this when you have time or SAVE it now. Youāll want to see every second.
The first clip starts with a young powerhouse Amaad Garrett, a Northwestern University student majoring in legislative policy whoās already worked in state legislation down in Texas.
Amaad joined Councilmember Clare Kelly and me over a year ago to help develop the Evanston Property Tax Circuit Breaker Program, and his research was phenomenal. He broke down the facts, the data, and the purpose with clarity far beyond his years.
Amaad, you showed what leadership looks like - thoughtful, informed, and for the people. šŖš½šš½
Then, we hear from Councilmember Tom Suffredin, a co-sponsor who stood up for whatās right.
Tom said it plain, property taxes are a real problem for people. The City has nothing in place for the expected rise - especially for families whoāve been able to hang on but suddenly need a little help.
Thatās exactly why we built this pilot programā¦to keep those families from losing everything theyāve worked for.
And when misinformation started flying, claiming this program was for millionaires on the lakefront, Councilmember Matt Rodgers stepped in to set the record straight.
If folks had read the packet (which five opposing councilmembers clearly did not), theyād know homes over a certain square footage donāt qualify. This isnāt for lakefront millionaires - itās for everyday Evanstonians being squeezed by rising taxes.
And for renters? Itās right there in black and white - renters will be included after the pilot year.
Tom put it best, āWhy are we focusing on who the program wonāt help, instead of the many it will help?ā
Exactly. Thank you, Tom. šš½
To every resident whoās written, emailed, shared, and stood with us over this past year - thank you. Youāre the reason we fight.
And a huge thank you to all the community members featured in this video who spoke up in support of the Evanston Property Tax Circuit Breaker Program - your voices were powerful, moving, and unforgettable. You reminded everyone in that room what democracy sounds like when itās alive.
The Evanston Property Tax Circuit Breaker Program is simple:
ā”ļø Homeowners living in Evanston 15 years or more.
ā”ļø Total household income under $95K.
ā”ļø Square-footage cap so mansions donāt qualify.
ā”ļø Relief designed to keep people in their homes, not force them out.
Itās a pilot born from urgency because Evanston had no plan to help longtime residents facing tax hikes. We created one.
But hereās the question you have to ask yourself:
Why are five councilmembers, the Mayor, and select city staff trying so hard to stall this program?
Could it be that if homeowners in financial distress get relief, they wonāt sell their property to the developers ringing their phones?
Or is there another planā¦one that funnels the Northwestern Affordable Housing Fund to a third-party āpartnerā for yet another backroom deal?
We donāt know yetā¦ but weāre watching.
Watch this video. Feel it. Share it. Talk about it with your neighbors.
If you missed the confrontation that started it all, go back and watch Part 1 because this fight is far from over.
This isnāt politics. This is about people.
And when the people speak, they cannot be ignored.
š Save this video.
š¢ Share it.
āš½ Stay tuned - the truth always finds the light.
#Evanston #CircuitBreakerProgram #PropertyTaxRelief #ForThePeople #HousingJustice #CommunityOverPolitics #TransparencyMatters #StopDisplacement #EvanstonStrong #Part2 #WatchAndDecide #AmaadGarrett #MeleikaGardner #ClareKelly #TomSuffredin #MattRodgers #DanielBiss
If you thought Part 1 was explosiveā¦ wait until you see this.
This 13-minute video compiles the moments they didnāt want you to hear - the voices of truth, reason, and compassion cutting through the politics.
Watch this when you have time or SAVE it now. Youāll want to see every second.
The first clip starts with a young powerhouse Amaad Garrett, a Northwestern University student majoring in legislative policy whoās already worked in state legislation down in Texas.
Amaad joined Councilmember Clare Kelly and me over a year ago to help develop the Evanston Property Tax Circuit Breaker Program, and his research was phenomenal. He broke down the facts, the data, and the purpose with clarity far beyond his years.
Amaad, you showed what leadership looks like - thoughtful, informed, and for the people. šŖš½šš½
Then, we hear from Councilmember Tom Suffredin, a co-sponsor who stood up for whatās right.
Tom said it plain, property taxes are a real problem for people. The City has nothing in place for the expected rise - especially for families whoāve been able to hang on but suddenly need a little help.
Thatās exactly why we built this pilot programā¦to keep those families from losing everything theyāve worked for.
And when misinformation started flying, claiming this program was for millionaires on the lakefront, Councilmember Matt Rodgers stepped in to set the record straight.
If folks had read the packet (which five opposing councilmembers clearly did not), theyād know homes over a certain square footage donāt qualify. This isnāt for lakefront millionaires - itās for everyday Evanstonians being squeezed by rising taxes.
And for renters? Itās right there in black and white - renters will be included after the pilot year.
Tom put it best, āWhy are we focusing on who the program wonāt help, instead of the many it will help?ā
Exactly. Thank you, Tom. šš½
To every resident whoās written, emailed, shared, and stood with us over this past year - thank you. Youāre the reason we fight.
And a huge thank you to all the community members featured in this video who spoke up in support of the Evanston Property Tax Circuit Breaker Program - your voices were powerful, moving, and unforgettable. You reminded everyone in that room what democracy sounds like when itās alive.
The Evanston Property Tax Circuit Breaker Program is simple:
ā”ļø Homeowners living in Evanston 15 years or more.
ā”ļø Total household income under $95K.
ā”ļø Square-footage cap so mansions donāt qualify.
ā”ļø Relief designed to keep people in their homes, not force them out.
Itās a pilot born from urgency because Evanston had no plan to help longtime residents facing tax hikes. We created one.
But hereās the question you have to ask yourself:
Why are five councilmembers, the Mayor, and select city staff trying so hard to stall this program?
Could it be that if homeowners in financial distress get relief, they wonāt sell their property to the developers ringing their phones?
Or is there another planā¦one that funnels the Northwestern Affordable Housing Fund to a third-party āpartnerā for yet another backroom deal?
We donāt know yetā¦ but weāre watching.
Watch this video. Feel it. Share it. Talk about it with your neighbors.
If you missed the confrontation that started it all, go back and watch Part 1 because this fight is far from over.
This isnāt politics. This is about people.
And when the people speak, they cannot be ignored.
š Save this video.
š¢ Share it.
āš½ Stay tuned - the truth always finds the light.
#Evanston #CircuitBreakerProgram #PropertyTaxRelief #ForThePeople #HousingJustice #CommunityOverPolitics #TransparencyMatters #StopDisplacement #EvanstonStrong #Part2 #WatchAndDecide #AmaadGarrett #MeleikaGardner #ClareKelly #TomSuffredin #MattRodgers #DanielBiss
