This afternoon, Mayor Biss announced the timeline he will follow to fill the seat for 9th ward City Council member as Cicely Fleming prepares to leave Council on February 15.
"I have greatly appreciated Councilmember Fleming’s insight, her tireless advocacy for 9th Ward residents, and her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of all Evanston residents," said Mayor Biss.
Here is the timeline he plans to follow:
Today, Feb. 1, 2022 - Applications open for 9th Ward Councilmember seat (Apply here!)
Monday, February 14 - Applications are due
Tuesday, February 15 - Councilmember Fleming’s resignation is effective
Thursday, February 17 (tentative) - Public meeting where candidates will make presentations (additional details to be announced)
Tuesday, February 22 - Announcement of appointment
Monday, February 28 - Confirmation of mayoral appointment comes before City Council
Under state law, the candidate appointed by the mayor and approved by City Council to fill this vacancy will serve until the municipal election in 2023.
Those interested in representing the 9th ward must complete the application by February 14.
To date, six 9th ward residents have announced their intent to apply for the position.
They are:
Shawn Jones, an attorney who ran against Fleming in 2017;
Kathy Hayes, who was born and raised in Evanston and is a retired case manager, social worker and analyst;
Sebastian Nalls, a Purdue University student who ran for mayor last year;
Dan Coyne, who ran for 9th ward councilmember in 2015. He's a social worker at Lincoln Elementary and Oakton Elementary;
Juan Geracaris, who has lived and worked in Evasnton for 30 years. He’s on the board of Evanston Latinos and Next Steps Evanston, an antiracism group;
Ric Goodwill, who has been involved with the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence and the Alliance for the Great Lakes.
Will others step forward to be considered?
Read more in the Evanston RoundTable about the candidates here.
