[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6241120,"mediaKeyId","3309910-029a435e3f7b652e281ef2b031cf7478","parentId",3309910,"title","Connections for the Homeless converts Margarita Inn into long‑term shelter with 60+ private rooms, pastor and mayor say","audioSeconds",132,"startMs",224000,"endMs",356000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3309910-029a435e3f7b652e281ef2b031cf7478&start=224&end=356","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3309910-029a435e3f7b652e281ef2b031cf7478/thumbnail_224000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6241120/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Connections-for-the-Homeless-converts-Margarita-Inn-into-longterm-shelter-with-60-private-rooms-pastor-and-mayor-say","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241120-60d7651b2843bef639c69d0047bb86ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448236&Signature=ib9mPUeiGSJ2bCfVusLN3aye2S5qXrNYTqnYpOzixpIDLK4NltbLukdIeIyLehVdzQBQdQ7R7QmkaqttLwqGYNdDSL2q~7U6OnLY2Wy~b~XWVmnPM2rUUwbZ8Jki0SgivrkAsnt6C5RXa7fNAY2rF67uTey~g1pCKRUhoDTtbj-8ry~0O0TB~E6mr5Vm0tznAnzUkkgJWEBilwDDeCvIIppjJ9cczY5cwXqLGEXXYzsr3RbGqaA98D4jOlcbP8004mZQh~4AoL-1a9oC64tn9X-r4Qsr~AW1crIOFUMEitKExYHyFKUHYlsn3nRu5VpPFCDiEbgP78ySi-XUUBT10w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Evanston, IL","date","2025-05-15T03:57:13.167Z","article","Pastor Monte Dillard, chair of the board of Connections for the Homeless, told attendees at the Feb. 2025 State of the City address that Connections closed on the purchase of the Margarita Inn in November 2023 and has converted it into a long‑term shelter with “over 60 private rooms” where program participants now live.

Mott Dillard (sic — referred to in transcript as Monte Dillard) thanked Mayor Daniel D. Biss for support during a contentious acquisition process, saying the purchase required legal work and faced opposition before the city ultimately moved forward with a permanent shelter site.

Mayor Biss praised Connections for the Homeless for its history in Evanston and thanked faith leaders and organizers who created the organization in 1984. Biss said Connections continues to challenge power and serve residents in need.

Connections staff named in the address included Betty Bogg, identified as chief executive officer, and Nia Tavolares, identified as chief development officer; both were mentioned by Pastor Dillard in acknowledging the organization’s staff and leadership.

The transcript did not include a formal council vote or funding breakdown for the Margarita Inn purchase, nor did it state whether the city provided direct funding for the acquisition. Pastor Dillard and the mayor described community support, legal challenges during the acquisition, and the shelter’s current operation as a long‑term resource for people experiencing housing insecurity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Pastor Monte Dillard and Mayor Daniel Biss described the purchase of the Margarita Inn by Connections for the Homeless, completed in November 2023, and said it now serves as a long‑term shelter with more than 60 private rooms for people experiencing housing insecurity.","taxTitle","Evanston, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",2640,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241124,"Evanston’s Healthy Buildings Ordinance aims for zero emissions from large buildings by 2050, mayor says",53,2172000,2225000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3309910-029a435e3f7b652e281ef2b031cf7478&start=2172&end=2225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3309910-029a435e3f7b652e281ef2b031cf7478/thumbnail_2172000.jpg","/articles/6241124/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Evanstons-Healthy-Buildings-Ordinance-aims-for-zero-emissions-from-large-buildings-by-2050-mayor-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241124-528d7ad8fcaaae18d2d654b2f329e6e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448236&Signature=Gfrd92-lzLRrbgqD4~Wh0FoRIo644mYoBCnRfMZ695LbrSiryjBPwYtyYRAEFFKe-eRd33dbJpK1-c4VcaeQ2sfTKlCd26F78lPTgyX4osPXJpN2qYwUml7H5BMdZE2pQCsy~ds1c7dLRJEC9-w27vuIEZ8rgsuYEW6K8QFk5XCPyrnfFKaWSOILeraQ3To3yEOubnQh~zy9TOYHRPFLtcouo2qvQyvF4PYxTMXYqdxhjZoy6G9~4pbRTRulIC6mGW0kGub5IUneLO4M8jiyRM-sOgM-NVHWP4yZWByNWKcIMXUe5IO-4kxUMs48FtwC81Wkt7XZPg5i-68n-xxM1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Daniel D. Biss told the Feb. 2025 State of the City audience that Evanston’s Healthy Buildings Ordinance — a recently passed local law — establishes a path for the city’s largest buildings to reach zero emissions by 2050.

\"Our climate goals already adopted seven years ago commit us to zero emissions in 2050,\" Biss said. He added the city’s largest buildings are the single biggest source of carbon emissions locally and that the ordinance is designed with flexibility so institutions can meet the target in ways that work for them.

Biss said the ordinance is uncommon in Illinois and the Midwest and framed it as a model other municipalities could follow while noting that passing the law is only the first step: “You don't decarbonize by passing a law,” he said, adding that significant implementation work remains.

The mayor did not provide detailed compliance deadlines or enforcement mechanisms in the speech; he described the ordinance as ambitious but “carefully constructed to be achievable.” City staff, council members and developers will need to collaborate on rules, timelines and incentives to meet the ordinance goals.","Mayor Daniel Biss highlighted the recently adopted Healthy Buildings Ordinance, which he said sets a pathway for the city’s largest buildings to reach net‑zero emissions by 2050 and labeled the law as unique in Illinois.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241129,"Mayor Biss urges stay in debate over Envision Evanston 2045 as city raises inclusionary housing requirement to 15%",282,1953000,2235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3309910-029a435e3f7b652e281ef2b031cf7478&start=1953&end=2235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3309910-029a435e3f7b652e281ef2b031cf7478/thumbnail_1953000.jpg","/articles/6241129/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Mayor-Biss-urges-stay-in-debate-over-Envision-Evanston-2045-as-city-raises-inclusionary-housing-requirement-to-15","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241129-83a5d058707b0d805d5c02bec879e75a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448236&Signature=h8rdy4u0EsQYH6lTNtfD4BzeyLqVAuw0Ng582VseYuadiECoP~kvQiRmMpbKhqSuYeNtgvoocRY1CpuNHLCDi3iw3VFSxfLFmkBK7-mZTrsD8b0PSMYGd99wlpY4gZK986h7ipOjxFiV3opLlklMZdWoHcoNGVGqY3ViTApqA0xJyi4P6TWs4K7Lc83kNB6MkbkIZIVreVTGum79VSostkyhyA6V-ciD7BpWNgk3co-mucJcP9GkySMFfu3R1EqYLL62YMSsYC61KmTnezEGf4~gpwNmFVA36juQdyM0N64aA1qrl6tABR~OBdFJZwXfmHfYtcvchkUtWBtzQZIEzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Daniel D. Biss used the Feb. 2025 State of the City address to urge residents to remain engaged with Envision Evanston 2045, the city’s long‑range planning effort that he said is intended to preserve neighborhood diversity and expand housing options for teachers, first responders, nurses, seniors and young families.

\"I want this community to be a place where our District 65 School teachers can afford to live, where our police officers and our firefighters can afford to live,\" Biss said. He said Envision Evanston 2045 will also guide the city’s work on climate resilience and downtown economic recovery.

Biss said the city had “strengthened our inclusionary housing ordinance,” raising the requirement for affordable units in new development to 15%. \"That's important. It's going to be a game changer as new potential development occurs in Evanston,\" he said, while adding the requirement will be monitored and adjusted as needed.

The mayor framed Envision Evanston 2045 as a contested but necessary conversation, urging that “every voice” be heard and that residents and stakeholders stay engaged rather than abandon the process because it is difficult.

Decisions still to be made include the balance between housing affordability targets and development economics; Biss said the city will keep monitoring outcomes and may revisit the inclusionary percentage in future reviews. No formal vote or council action was reported in the speech transcript itself; the mayor described measures taken by his administration and the council to strengthen the ordinance.","Mayor Daniel Biss said Envision Evanston 2045 aims to expand housing affordability and neighborhood diversity and noted the city strengthened its inclusionary housing ordinance to require roughly 15% affordable units in new developments.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241134,"Evanston mayor credits non‑police care team with reducing violent crime, cites 1,500+ responses",328,1308000,1636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3309910-029a435e3f7b652e281ef2b031cf7478&start=1308&end=1636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3309910-029a435e3f7b652e281ef2b031cf7478/thumbnail_1308000.jpg","/articles/6241134/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Evanston-mayor-credits-nonpolice-care-team-with-reducing-violent-crime-cites-1500-responses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241134-d5542bd83c923c384e248c72b539e634/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448236&Signature=lLLLYRaNZh23wdCZw96jDS5LgFGrZCi5an3IVjM8NHFxVJfxidadEiVK8bpWsat2BIvmtXBrfD6-fNtYBKuGXxWO4pmVf4dOF~SBTXq9moHOthX~n8RIlAp3flUc7qX8j3Te-WzmoN52NMoQfnwv8OoO9YJDLVXSUjdI5BBwaK1xCFATyZJNzGO2HImM6jd2e5e8mgDiVwpFA19xg8ofMqpcadg1A2f5z1i4GIMkBKoyA9eT4o8Nala4dr7oJs5ha8ppNkcOchdYTUpRW20r4ep2Nfp0bXZN~QJPxGNhrJBe25IrCAT-iar1kErMHkzUOQlH25vfnijMuX2uErhHjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Daniel D. Biss said at the Feb. 2025 State of the City address that Evanston’s care team — a non‑police crisis response group operating in the Parks and Recreation Department — has responded to “over 1,500 calls” since it began and has helped build trust with people experiencing repeated crises.

The care team, which Biss described as “not a police officer, but someone who may be skilled at de‑escalation,” was created after the mayor and City Council convened a Reimagining Public Safety Committee. Biss said the committee’s work led to policies that redirect some 911 calls away from armed officers to trained civilian responders who can connect individuals to housing, case management and other services.

“Eventually on that fortieth, fiftieth conversation, trust is established,” Biss said. “The person … has learned wait a second this person is to be trusted, this care team member is trying to help me, and if I listen and cooperate I may find a way to a roof over my head, the care that I need, eventually stable employment.”

Biss also said the city changed traffic‑stop priorities after the committee reviewed racial disparities in stop data. He said the city de‑emphasized equipment‑related stops so officers can focus on moving violations that pose greater public‑safety threats; he said about 83% of traffic enforcement is now related to moving violations.

The mayor credited local leadership — naming Parks and Recreation Director Audrey Thompson and Police Chief Stewart — with implementing the approach. Biss noted Chief Stewart was named Police Chief of the Year by the Illinois Association of Police Chiefs and said violent crime “has plummeted” in Evanston; he added the city has gone “more than two years” without a homicide, which he framed as progress rather than a final victory.

Discussion and direction in the address emphasized maintaining the care team, continuing interdepartmental collaboration between Parks and Recreation and the Police Department, and monitoring racial‑equity outcomes from changes to traffic enforcement. No formal motions or council votes were taken during the address.

Supporters and city leaders said the program’s repeated engagements with individuals who have complex needs are the mechanism behind the team’s results; Biss urged continued investment and patience as relationships take time to develop.","Mayor Daniel Biss told the 2025 State of the City address that Evanston’s care team — a non‑police crisis response unit housed in Parks and Recreation — has answered more than 1,500 calls since launching and that the city has seen a sharp drop in violent crime, including more than two years without a homicide.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Connections for the Homeless converts Margarita Inn into long‑term shelter with 60+ private rooms, pastor and mayor say

Evanston’s Healthy Buildings Ordinance aims for zero emissions from large buildings by 2050, mayor says

Mayor Biss urges stay in debate over Envision Evanston 2045 as city raises inclusionary housing requirement to 15%

Evanston mayor credits non‑police care team with reducing violent crime, cites 1,500+ responses