Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this 16-minute video, you’ll see the full story unfold:
🎥 It opens with my public comment, speaking directly to the need for this program—for Evanston seniors and longtime residents who are spending more than 30% of their income on rent or property taxes, but don’t qualify for state programs.
🎥 Then, watch the real-time discussion as committee members move to send the program to other committees—a move that often means it disappears into red tape and never returns.
🎥 Councilmember Clare Kelly steps in, and I speak up again. Together, we did our best to protect this program from being quietly buried.
This program isn’t about stopping new development. It’s about protecting the people who are already here. It’s about those who built Evanston into the place it is today—and making sure they’re not pushed out just as new investment moves in.
And here’s what you won’t see in the clip, but need to know:
— No data or research was included in the staff memo for this item— Residents submitted public comments that were never acknowledged— Virtual commenters were locked out due to late Zoom links and technical issues— And this was the very first Human Services Committee meeting at the new City Hall
Despite the obstacles, this program still has strong support.
Councilmember Clare Kelly and newly elected Councilmember Parielle Davis reportedly passed an ordinance correcting the City’s long-standing illegal practice of delaying the seating of new council members from April to May, according to Councilmember Kelly.
But when it comes to the Circuit Breaker Program, the truth is clear:The work to keep this alive has been done outside the walls of City Hall—with help from Cook County, not the City. Kelly and I have done the heavy lifting with no staff support. And still, we push forward.
📣 Here’s how you can help right now:
✅ Watch the video✅ Contact Mayor Daniel Biss and your Alderperson—tell them to protect this program✅ Share this post with friends, neighbors, and family—especially those who’ve been here for decades
This program is about dignity. About staying power. About people who shouldn’t have to fight this hard to remain in the homes and city they love.
We’re not asking for special treatment. We’re asking for fairness.
Go to the City of Evanston YouTube Channel to watch the Human Services Committee meeting in its entirety.
#EvanstonCircuitBreaker #KeepEvanstonHome #SupportOurSeniors #HousingJustice #AgingInPlace #EvanstonDeservesBetter #HandsOffEvanston #EquityInPolicy #WeAreStillHere #ProtectThePeople #Evanston #ClareKelly #MeleikaGardner #ParielleDavis #CityofEvanston
In this 16-minute video, you’ll see the full story unfold:
🎥 It opens with my public comment, speaking directly to the need for this program—for Evanston seniors and longtime residents who are spending more than 30% of their income on rent or property taxes, but don’t qualify for state programs.
🎥 Then, watch the real-time discussion as committee members move to send the program to other committees—a move that often means it disappears into red tape and never returns.
🎥 Councilmember Clare Kelly steps in, and I speak up again. Together, we did our best to protect this program from being quietly buried.
This program isn’t about stopping new development. It’s about protecting the people who are already here. It’s about those who built Evanston into the place it is today—and making sure they’re not pushed out just as new investment moves in.
And here’s what you won’t see in the clip, but need to know:
— No data or research was included in the staff memo for this item— Residents submitted public comments that were never acknowledged— Virtual commenters were locked out due to late Zoom links and technical issues— And this was the very first Human Services Committee meeting at the new City Hall
Despite the obstacles, this program still has strong support.
Councilmember Clare Kelly and newly elected Councilmember Parielle Davis reportedly passed an ordinance correcting the City’s long-standing illegal practice of delaying the seating of new council members from April to May, according to Councilmember Kelly.
But when it comes to the Circuit Breaker Program, the truth is clear:The work to keep this alive has been done outside the walls of City Hall—with help from Cook County, not the City. Kelly and I have done the heavy lifting with no staff support. And still, we push forward.
📣 Here’s how you can help right now:
✅ Watch the video✅ Contact Mayor Daniel Biss and your Alderperson—tell them to protect this program✅ Share this post with friends, neighbors, and family—especially those who’ve been here for decades
This program is about dignity. About staying power. About people who shouldn’t have to fight this hard to remain in the homes and city they love.
We’re not asking for special treatment. We’re asking for fairness.
Go to the City of Evanston YouTube Channel to watch the Human Services Committee meeting in its entirety.
#EvanstonCircuitBreaker #KeepEvanstonHome #SupportOurSeniors #HousingJustice #AgingInPlace #EvanstonDeservesBetter #HandsOffEvanston #EquityInPolicy #WeAreStillHere #ProtectThePeople #Evanston #ClareKelly #MeleikaGardner #ParielleDavis #CityofEvanston
