Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this 16-minute must-watch segment of Evanston Decides 2025, 1st Ward Council Member Clare Kelly lays out the fights she’s taken on—and the victories she’s won—for the residents of Evanston.
Her opponent, Stephen Hackney, declined to participate in the forum. But Kelly showed up with receipts.
One of the most shocking revelations? Kelly, alongside three residents, had to rush to federal court to stop our own city’s corporate counsel, Nick Cummings, from dismantling a 20-year decree that held Northwestern University accountable to Evanston residents. This decree ensured that NU had to communicate openly and transparently with the community about any major decisions impacting the city.
Judge Nancy L. Maldonado saw right through the move. She stated she felt deeply uncomfortable with what Cummings was presenting and denied his motion.
But here’s the kicker: Kelly revealed that parts of the Evanston City Council were behind this effort—not to protect the residents, but to shield Northwestern University.
This segment isn’t just about one case. It’s about who fights for transparency, who holds power accountable, and who is really working for the residents.
The stakes in this election couldn’t be higher. Watch this video. Pay attention. And vote.
A huge thank you to Clare Kelly for participating, to our panelists Shun Graves (Daily Northwestern), Alex Harrison & Duncan Agnew (Evanston Roundtable), and to Lily Ogburn, Heidi Randhava, Steven Rogers, and most importantly—the residents of Evanston—for staying engaged.
Watch now. The truth matters.
#EvanstonDecides2025 #1stWardForum #ClareKelly #TransparencyMatters #EvanstonResidentsFirst #HoldPowerAccountable #NorthwesternUniversity #WhereThePeopleMeetTV #LeadershipMatters #YourVoiceYourVote #EvanstonVotes #StayEngaged
In this 16-minute must-watch segment of Evanston Decides 2025, 1st Ward Council Member Clare Kelly lays out the fights she’s taken on—and the victories she’s won—for the residents of Evanston.
Her opponent, Stephen Hackney, declined to participate in the forum. But Kelly showed up with receipts.
One of the most shocking revelations? Kelly, alongside three residents, had to rush to federal court to stop our own city’s corporate counsel, Nick Cummings, from dismantling a 20-year decree that held Northwestern University accountable to Evanston residents. This decree ensured that NU had to communicate openly and transparently with the community about any major decisions impacting the city.
Judge Nancy L. Maldonado saw right through the move. She stated she felt deeply uncomfortable with what Cummings was presenting and denied his motion.
But here’s the kicker: Kelly revealed that parts of the Evanston City Council were behind this effort—not to protect the residents, but to shield Northwestern University.
This segment isn’t just about one case. It’s about who fights for transparency, who holds power accountable, and who is really working for the residents.
The stakes in this election couldn’t be higher. Watch this video. Pay attention. And vote.
A huge thank you to Clare Kelly for participating, to our panelists Shun Graves (Daily Northwestern), Alex Harrison & Duncan Agnew (Evanston Roundtable), and to Lily Ogburn, Heidi Randhava, Steven Rogers, and most importantly—the residents of Evanston—for staying engaged.
Watch now. The truth matters.
#EvanstonDecides2025 #1stWardForum #ClareKelly #TransparencyMatters #EvanstonResidentsFirst #HoldPowerAccountable #NorthwesternUniversity #WhereThePeopleMeetTV #LeadershipMatters #YourVoiceYourVote #EvanstonVotes #StayEngaged
