Equity and Empowerment Commission Meeting 3-19-2026

The City of Evanston's Equity and Empowerment Commission held a meeting on March 19, 2026, focusing primarily on partnership initiatives and community equity issues. The commission voted to partner with the Environmental Equity Initiative (EEI) to collaboratively address environmental concerns in Evanston, particularly in the second and fifth wards. They discussed narrowing down housing topics to focus on affordable housing, policy comparisons, and regional disparities, with plans to invite city staff to synthesize a comprehensive 132-page housing plan document for better understanding and targeted action. The commission also reviewed outreach efforts for the Equity Scorecard survey, noting an increase in responses and strategizing further community engagement through events and newsletters. Additionally, they discussed the potential equity implications of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds, agreeing to seek more information from city staff to understand the impact and policy considerations. The meeting included planning for a summer retreat focused on goal setting and team building to enhance commission effectiveness.