HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 32-R-25 Approval of an Honorary Street Name Sign Designation3/31/2025
32-R-25
A RESOLUTION
Designating that portion of McDaniel Avenue between Martha Lane
and Simpson Street with the Honorary Street Name Sign,
“Elizabeth Tisdahl Way”
WHEREAS, when Elizabeth Tisdahl was elected Mayor of Evanston in
2009, she continued the tradition of strong, female mayors in the City, having previously
been elected to serve on the District 202 School Board and on Evanston City Council;
and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Tisdahl raised her family in Evanston, serving as
co-president of the Martin Luther King Laboratory School Parent Teacher Association,
coaching 3rd-4th grade coed softball for twelve years and volunteering for ESCAA for
thirteen years; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Tisdhal served as a member of the District 202
School Board for eight years, during which time she also served as President of ED-
RED, an educational lobbying group; and
WHEREAS, during her time in office, Mayor Tisdahl strengthened the
relationship between the City and Northwestern University and was a driving force
behind the Good Neighbor Program with Northwestern, under which the City received
$1 million a year for five (5) years; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Tisdahl worked with local elected federal officials to
procure federal funding to bring a branch of the Erie Family Health Center to Evanston,
providing high quality, affordable health care to residents; and
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32-R-25
WHEREAS, Mayor Tisdahl successfully lobbied for the City to receive
Neighborhood Stabilization funding after the 2008 recession, which directly resulted in
the rehabilitation and construction of one hundred (100) affordable housing units in the
City; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Tisdahl’s was instrumental in advocating for additional
funding for the City’s police and fire pension funds during her time as Mayor, which
helped improve the City’s bond rating; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Tisdahl prioritized addressing violence in the Evanston
community by advocating for a City outreach program to work with at-risk youth in
Evanston; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Tisdahl was also previously recognized by the U.S.
Conference of Mayors for her environmental work and leadership on sustainability; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Tisdahl resides on Martha Lane.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT:
SECTION 1: The foregoing recitals are hereby found as fact and
incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2: On behalf of the entire citizenry of the City of Evanston, the
City Council hereby expresses appreciation for Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl by designating
that portion of McDaniel Avenue between Martha Lane and Simpson Street with the
Honorary Street Name Sign, “Elizabeth Tisdahl Way.”
SECTION 3: This Resolution 32-R-25 will be in full force and effect from
and after the date of its passage and approval in the manner provided by law.
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32-R-25
_______________________________
Daniel Biss, Mayor
Attest:
______________________________
Stephanie Mendoza, City Clerk
Adopted: __________________, 2025
Approved as to form:
_______________________________
Alexandra B. Ruggie, Corporation Counsel
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City of Evanston
Honorary Street Name Sign Application Form
PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: The Honorary Street Name Sign program was established to allow
citizens the opportunity to honor people who have contributed greatly to the City of Evanston
through cultural, historic, or humanitarian acts. Request for an honorary designation has to
originate with an Alderman and each Alderman may have one honorary designation approved
each year. Honorary street name signs are displayed for a period of ten-years and the portion
of a street so designated is one block long. The program is administered by the Parks and
Recreation Board through the Parks and Recreation Department. Final approval is granted by
the Evanston City Council. The honorary designation expires ten years after its passage by City
Council, at which time the signs will be removed (Resolution 52-R-01).
PLEASE FILL OUT THE APPLICATION BELOW:
NAME OF HONOREE: Elizabeth Tisdahl
(as it would appear on the street sign)
McDaniel AvePROPER STREET NAME:
INTERSECTING STREETS AT EACH END OF THE ONE BLOCK AREA:
Between Martha Lane and Simpson St
PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY, AND GIVE A BRIEF EXPLANATION FOR EACH OF THE
APPLICABLE CRITERIA. A STREET CAN BE NAMED FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, OR
GROUP/DESIGNATION.
___CULTURAL IMPACT TO CITY:
When Elizabeth Tisdahl was elected Mayor of Evanston in 2009, she continued the
tradition of strong female Mayors. She is the only Evanston Mayor to have previously been
elected to serve on both a school board (dist 202) and on the City Council (7th ward). As Mayor,
she strengthened the relationship between the City and Northwestern Univ. When Morton
Shapiro became president of Northwestern, she greeted him with homemade chocolate chip
cookies – shortly after which the City received a new fire truck.
___ HISTORICAL IMPACT TO CITY:
She and Dr. Shapiro implemented the Good Neighbor Program, under which the city
received $1 million/year for five years.
Parks and Recreation Department
2100 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, Illinois 60201
T 847.448.4311
TTY 847.866.5095
www.cityofevanston.org
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___HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS:
As Mayor, Elizabeth Tisdahl worked with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Congresswoman
Jan Schakowsky to procure the federal funding to bring a branch of the Erie Family Health
Center to Evanston. This made high quality, affordable health care accessible to Evanston and
Skokie residents. She lobbied for Evanston to receive Neighborhood Stabilization (NSP2)
funding after the 2008 recession. This resulted in the rehabilitation and construction of 100
units of affordable housing in implementing this $18 Million project, the City exceeded its goal of
awarding 25 percent of contracted work going to local or minority-owned business.
___CLOSE ASSOCIATION WITH EVANSTON:
___ DISTINGUISED CAREER BROUGHT TO THE CITY:
She served as president of ED-RED, a lobbying organization that represents
Northern Illinois public schools in Springfield. She was recognized by the U.S. Conference of
Mayors for her environmental work and leadership on sustainability.
___GEOGRAPHICAL RELATIONSHIP OF STREET TO FOCUS OF INTEREST
Mayor Tisdahl resides on Martha Lane.
____ A LIVING INDIVIDUAL (EXCLUSIVE OF CITY OF EVANSTON STAFF)
Signature of Applicant: Eleanor Revelle Date: 3/6/25
(Councilmember)
erevelle@cityofevanston.orgEmail:
Signature of Applicant: Date:
Email:
Submit completed form to:
City of Evanston
Parks and Recreation Department
2100 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL 60201
Fax: 847-448-8051
pbelcher@cityofevanston.org
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