formerly citizens' greener Evanston
Evanston now has 25 years to achieve its carbon neutrality and zero waste goals as outlined in the Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP), and Sustainability and Resilience Manager Cara Pratt has said the city has already accomplished the “low-hanging fruit” in pursuing these targets.
What climate goals and policies would you prioritize in the coming term? How should the city pursue reduction of building emissions?
Do you support phasing out natural gas use in new construction, and requiring existing buildings work toward carbon neutrality over the next 25 years?
Evanston has made progress on climate action, but we need to accelerate efforts to meet our CARP goals in a way that is both ambitious and equitable. My top priorities would be expanding renewable energy access, improving public transit and bike infrastructure, and increasing financial incentives for residents and businesses to make sustainable upgrades.
Building emissions are a major challenge, and the city must support energy efficiency retrofits and electrification while ensuring these upgrades are accessible to all, especially low-income homeowners and renters. We should expand financial assistance programs to help property owners transition to cleaner energy without passing costs onto tenants.
I support phasing out natural gas use in new construction while being mindful of affordability and feasibility. For existing buildings, reaching carbon neutrality over the next 25 years will require a mix of incentives, stronger building codes, and public-private partnerships to make the transition more achievable.
Sustainability efforts should not place financial burdens on those already struggling. Evanston must seek state and federal funding to help cover the costs of greener infrastructure while ensuring our climate policies reflect the needs of all residents — not just those who can afford major upgrades.
Nearly 2/3rds of all households in Evanston own one or no cars, and a majority of residents do not commute via car. Each year, more Evanstonians of all ages are walking, rolling, and using bus or train service for convenience, physical fitness, cost-savings, and environmental benefits.
How do you incorporate walking, biking and public transit into your everyday life?
I rely on biking to get around—from knocking on doors during this campaign to taking our 2-year-old son to preschool in downtown Evanston, biking is part of my everyday life. I often walk or bike to Valli and Food for Less for smaller grocery runs and depend on the bikeability of our ward and Evanston. I understand the value of a well-connected, bike-friendly community, and as a resident and advocate, I am committed to supporting improvements that make it easier and safer for everyone to choose walking, biking, and public transit as everyday transportation options.
Academic research and case studies from cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and New York show that reducing car traffic and building protected bike lanes are necessary to meet climate and mobility goals. Plans such as the Chicago Ave Multimodal Project provide an example of how this can be implemented in Evanston.
Where would you want infrastructure improvements, such as traffic calming, pedestrianization/ street closures, and protected bike lanes, to encourage more walking and cycling?
In the Second Ward, I strongly support adding protected bike lanes on Dodge Avenue. ETHS students rely on safe streets and bike lanes to get to and from school, and ensuring their safety should be a priority. Additionally, Lake Street should be a focus, as it provides a direct route to our downtown area and lakefront, passing by the highly popular Penny Park. Improving bike and pedestrian infrastructure here would create a safer, more accessible corridor for families, students, and all Evanstonians who rely on walking and cycling for daily transportation. Investing in these improvements will not only enhance safety but also contribute to Evanston’s sustainability and mobility goals.
Public transit has seen a major change in ridership trends, with 9-to-5 commuter services falling short of pre-COVID milestones while off-peak and weekend demand climbs despite infrequent and often unreliable schedules. CTA, PACE, and Metra are facing a ‘fiscal cliff’, as federal dollars to keep transit service operating run out by 2026.
While not in the position to solve this problem on its own, what can the City of Evanston do to support existing bus and train service, and how would you want to see public transportation expanded in our city in the future?
Working closely with the experts hired by the City of Evanston is essential to ensuring our transit system meets the needs of our residents. Reaching out to Sarah FioRito for guidance on the best ways to advocate for Evanston’s transit priorities will be a key step. As a council member, I would ensure our community’s input is heard by decision-makers and fight for expanded services that provide more stops and greater access throughout the city. With shifting ridership trends, we must push for more frequent off-peak and weekend service, improved reliability, and strategic expansion to underserved areas. Public transit is a vital resource, and I am committed to advocating for the funding and infrastructure needed to keep Evanston connected.
With parallels to Envision Evanston 2045, Minneapolis has modified its zoning code in the past decade to eliminate minimum parking requirements, encourage transit-oriented development, and allow the construction of more “missing middle” housing city-wide. Together, these reforms lead to a stabilization of rent prices, a drop in homelessness, reduced displacement, and increased racial diversity. Environmental benefits were also realized, as more dense and mixed-use developments encourage lower rates of car ownership and generate less embodied carbon from construction.
What changes to Evanston’s zoning code, such as the ones listed above, would you support in response to the housing and climate crises?
I support expanding mixed housing options in Evanston while ensuring that the voices and concerns of Second Ward residents are heard and addressed. Removing parking minimums is a key step toward advancing our sustainability goals, encouraging public transit use, and making walking and biking more viable transportation options. By prioritizing transit-oriented development and allowing for more ‘missing middle’ housing, we can help stabilize rents, reduce displacement, and create a more inclusive and diverse community. Thoughtful zoning reforms can also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing car dependency and lowering the carbon footprint of new developments. As a council member, I will advocate for policies that balance these goals while keeping community input at the forefront of decision-making.
