Significant Decline in Overall Crime in Evanston

While other communities throughout the nation may have seen a rise in crime between 2008 and 2009, the City of Evanston has achieved a significant decline as it pertains to major part-one crime categories. Statistics indicate that murder is down 50%, criminal sexual assault rose from 5 incidents to 7 translating to a 40% increase, robbery was down a significant 29.6%, aggravated battery & assault down 5.7%, burglary down 12.6%, theft down 12.9%, motor vehicle theft down 23% and arson rose from 8 to 11, equaling an increase of 37.5%. This statistical analysis equates to a year to date comparison aggregate for 2008 to 2009 indicating a total overall decline in crime of 13.4%.

For more information, click here.

Ridgeville Park District Announcements

Registration for Ridgeville's Spring Holiday Camp (March 29 to April 1) for kids in grade 1 through 6 is now open. Please find more information via this flyer/registration form or visit the Ridgeville Park District website.

Women Out Walking

What: Women Out Walking (WOW) is a free, 12-week walking & health education campaign to promote health, wellness, community and physical activity for the women of Evanston.

Who:WOW is open to women of all ages & fitness levels.

When: Saturday, March 27, 2010, 9:00 am Orientation (Program ends June 20, 2010)

Where: Evanston Township High School Auditorium 1600 Dodge Avenue, Bacon Cafeteria entrance

Benefits: May prevent depression, lower stress levels, elevate overall mood, improve sleep, lengthen life span, manage weight, reduce the risk of a heart attack and stroke, control blood pressure, reduce the risk of breast cancer and type 2 diabetes, reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Goodies: Each walker will receive a walking journal, a pedometer, a WOW t-shirt, and will be eligible to win fabulous prizes.

Join us! For more information or to register: www.cityofevanston.org/wow or 847-328-2100, ext. 2498

Oakton School Happenings

First of all... great news for Oakton School!  Thanks to our hard working teachers, staff and principal, not to mention our dedicated parents and kids... Oakton School has been recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education as a 2009 Spotlight School!!!

The Spotlight award recognizes a high poverty school where academic performance is closing the achievement gap.

Visit this website for more about Spotlight Schools @ http://www.ilhonorroll.niu.edu

This truly is fantastic news!!!!

Also, I just wanted to thank everyone who came to the Love of Oakton and supported our artist-in-residence and other programs that benefit our kids!!  It was a great success!  It was so nice to see just people from the neighborhood, along with incoming Kindergarten families as well as current Oakton families and teachers and staff!

One of the most exciting things at the event was the "unveiling" of a numbered and signed Oakton poster created by world-renown poster artist, and fellow Evanston resident, Jay Ryan (he's friends with current Kindergarten parents).  Go to  Evanston Now to see the beautiful poster and related story and comments.  We're selling the posters for $20, so let me know if you'd like one... Goods on Main Street is offering a special discount on framing and giving back 10% to Oakton's PTA... another great example of the Evanston community supporting our school!  Thanks to Geri Smith for getting that worked out!

Thanks,

Julie Fleetwood, Oakton PTA President

City Ordinance to Ban Hand-Held Cell Phones While Driving Takes Effect March 15

City Council recently passed an ordinance making it illegal to speak on a hand-held cell phone while driving. Drivers, as of March 15th, 2010, will now be required to use a hands-free device in a public safety effort to curtail distracted driving. The ordinance was put forth by 7th Ward Alderman Jane Grover.

The new City ordinance calls for a $50 fine, with an added $200 penalty if the violation occurs at the time of a traffic accident.

In addition, the ordinance bans texting, web browsing or listening to voice mail while driving. However, the City ordinance exempts work-related calls by government officials from the ban and permits anyone to make a 9-1-1 call while driving. Drivers are permitted talk on the phone while driving if they use a hands-free device. Also, using a cell phone in a parked car is not banned.

Scholarship Opportunity for 7th Graders

The 2010 application for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars scholarship program (JKC) is now available. The JKC program is a national scholarship program for high achieving 7th graders with financial need. The program provides exceptional students with individualized educational guidance and services, including tutors, summer programs, online classes, computers and possible tuition support through high school/college to those who qualify.

The Young Scholars Program is highly competitive and attracts outstanding applicants from across the United States. The specific criteria for consideration are: current 7th grade students with a strong academic record, awards/honors, a teacher recommendation, financial need, motivation, leadership and an appreciation for the arts, music, literature or similar fields.

The application can be downloaded here and has a deadline of April 26. Please direct questions and concerns to Tammie Stewart at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Budget Survey Results

Last week, I sent a survey out on the e-newsletter with questions regarding the City budget and potential cuts. Please find a summary of the survey results here.

Statement on Budget Cuts

I have received numerous calls and e-mails regarding the City’s budget. Many citizens are concerned about cuts in the budget, including the branch libraries and the Evanston Community Media Center (ECMC). I want to be clear that I am keeping an open mind on all pending budget-related decisions. Over the next several weeks, I plan to carefully analyze the data related to the budget before casting my vote.

As many of you may know, I ran for Ninth Ward Alderman on a platform to balance the budget and support decisions that enable the City of Evanston to live within its means. I believe it is extremely important to preserve the City's long term fiscal health, which may require making difficult and potentially unpopular financial decisions.

I appreciate the feedback I have received these past few weeks and encourage you to continue to contact me and other elected officials with fresh ideas and suggestions—it is this civic participation that makes our community strong.

-Coleen Burrus

Message Board

Feel free to post any news, concerns, events, or anything related to the 9th ward or Evanston on our new message board. The board can also be found by clicking "Message Board" on the homepage.

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If you have not done so already, subscribe to the 9th ward newsletter! Newsletters will be sent at least once a month and contain important City annoucements, 9th ward news and events.