Evanston lawmakers this week rejected proposed changes to a controversial panhandling law being considered by the City Council over the objections of a lawyer who says the city can expect to be sued.
“This law will land in court,” said Evanston resident Carol Moschandreas, former executive director of an Evanston homeless shelter. “It’s an equal protection and a 1st Amendment issue.”
The council sent the law back to committee last week and asked Moschandreas and city lawyers to hammer out a new version. But the Human Services Committee voted 3-1 Tuesday to reject the changes offered by Moschandreas.
The proposed ordinance returns to the Evanston City Council on Monday night.
“I felt the changes offered left the city open to more issues of constitutional attack,” said Ald. Arthur Newman (1st).
The ordinance spells out exactly what kind of panhandling is allowed and where. Touching, repeated requests for money or blocking the sidewalk while asking for a handout are defined as “aggressive panhandling” and would be illegal at all times.
Panhandling at bus stops or on buses, near outdoor cafes, on trains or within 10 feet of a person using an automatic teller machine is also prohibited (this sentence as published has been corrected in this text).
Going to a vote: The Kenilworth Elementary District 38 School Board on Tuesday agreed to ask voters on April 3 to approve a 7.7 percent increase in their property tax bill, which could generate close to $1 million to maintain and improve programs in kindergarten through 8th grades at Sears School.
An increase of 62 cents per $100 of assessed valuation means property owners would pay an additional $769 on a $10,000 property tax bill, said Supt. Linda Murphy. The increase would be spread over two years.
With the tax cap on revenues and a limited commercial tax base in Kenilworth, Murphy says, it is crucial that the district pass the referendum proposal to keep offering high-quality programs during a time of increasing enrollment and new state mandates.
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“We’re really trying to make up for seven years of flat revenue in which we’ve continued to make our educational program better,” Murphy said. The district has operated with a slight budget deficit the past four years. A 1997 bond referendum paid only for building improvements, she added.
Online appeals: Parking violators in Evanston may now fight their citations online through a program city officials believe is the first of its kind in Illinois.
The city has just launched a new Web page, at www.cityofevanston.org, that offers a link to the page where those ticketed may plead their case. Click on “Services” and be prepared to complete a form.
The city’s Hearing Division will e-mail vehicle owners, within a week if possible. For information, call 847-448-8163.
Gym benefit planned: Several area gymnastics teams will raise money Friday for popular coach Ed Adler, whose wife died while trying to extinguish a fire in their West Rogers Park home on Jan. 4.
Adler, a gymnastics coach at the Niles Leaning Tower YMCA, was training youngsters at the Buehler YMCA in Palatine the night of the fire. He is now the single parent of two daughters.
“He pretty much lost everything,” said Ken Davis of Palatine, whose daughter, Kenisha, 10, takes gymnastics lessons at Buehler. “He seems to be a really wonderful, dedicated man. Then he comes home to this tragedy. I thought, this is the time to help him.”
A gymnastics meet to benefit the Adler family begins at 6 p.m. in Buehler YMCA, 1400 W. Northwest Highway. It is open to the public.
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