917.731 L47t LEAGUE OF WOMEN 1955 VOTERS OF EVANSTON THIS IS EVANSTON LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN IN MEMORY OF STEWART S. HOWE JOURNALISM CLASS OF 1928 STEWART S. HOWE FOUNDATION ^ p / /rl HO' ' _-soyTO^-BR2«*eft- I;, V*.. 1^ ^b^ President CONTENTS Chapter P'^g^ I People, Homes, and Churches I II Evanston's Economic Life 5 III Local Government 10 IV Local Government Finances 19 V Protection of Lives and Property 32 VI Administration of Justice 38 VII Public Works 44 VIII Public Utilities and Transportation 48 IX Health in Evanston 52 X Education, Press, and Radio 58 XI Recreation in Evanston 70 XII Social Welfare 74 XIII The Business of Elections 78 Appendix 86 MAPS Evanston Schools 62 School Voting Precinct Boundaries 64 Ward Map of the City of Evanston 80 I. PEOPLE, HOMES, AND CHURCHES Evanston's origin, as well as its location, resulted from an event of August 1853« John Evans, Orrington Lunt, and Grant Goodrich were searching the countryside about Chicago for a place to establish a Christian university in what had once been the Northwest Territory. According to Orrington Lunt's memoirs, wiiile they were exploring a swampy area some miles north of the city they came upon a high and dry grove of oak trees on the shore of the lake, and of one accord agreed, "This is the place!" They purchased as much of the surrounding land as they could, and the village of Evanston was laid out and platted in the winter of 1853"54. Three years later thtre were on the site diree new institutions, all dedicated to the pursuit of higher learning: Northwestern University, Garrett Biblical Institute, and Northwestern Female College. The new town was incorporated in 1863, its name honoring one of the founders, John Evans. By 1900, 19,259 people lived in the village, but it was to show some of its greatest growth between 1920 and 1930 when the popula- tion increased 70% - from 37,234 to 6 3,338. By 1920, large apartment houses were springing up on the vacant land in south Evanston, and the uncontrolled building led the city council to pass Evanston's first zoning ordinance in 1921. Revised in 1927 and again in 1940, the ordinance aims to prevent overcrowding of the land, to arrest encroach- ment of business and industry into residential areas and of multiple-family units into areas of single-family dwellings, and to conserve property values. With the depression years, population growth slackened and the 1940 census counted 6 5,389 people. The 1950 census showed 73,641 residents. In April 1955 a special census showed a gain in five years of just 1.8%, bunging Evanston's total population to 74,959. While its population growth has slackened off, Evanston has developed in another direction -as a service and shopping center. In 1950 it was estimated to be serving 250,000 people. PEOPLES, HOMES, AND CHURCHES MAKE-UP OF THE POPULATION According to the latest U. S. Census figures (1950), native-born numbered 47,395 of Evanston's total of 53,444 persons of 21 years old and over; 6,049 were foreign-bom, and of this number 4,900 had been naturalized; 631 were classified as alien; and for 518 citizenship was not reported. Of the foreign-born white population, the largest number, 1,234, came from Sweden, with Germany, Canada, Poland, England and Wales and Scodand represented in that order. At least 25 other countries were also included among the places of origin. A special Evanston census in 1955 showed the breakdown in population as 40,578 female and 34,381 male, or 8.4% more women than men. The white population was 67,127 (36,396 female, 30,731 male); the non-white was 7,832 (4,182 female, 3,650 male), or 10.4%. The gain in the non-white population was 698 or 9-7% and accounted for 53% of the gain over 1950 figures. AGE OF THE POPULATION The median age of Evanstonians was 35.8 yearSj according to the city's 1955 census, with 10.5% of the population 65 years old and over. Children under the age of 20 numbered 27% of die population, and those under five years of age, 8.4%. HOUSING THE POPULATION The number of persons living in 21,901 dwelling units in 1955 (excluding institutions, rooming houses, and hotels) was 66,5 5 1> or 3.04 per unit. An economic survey by the Evanston Chamber of Commerce in April 1955 showed average sales price of "a typical Evanston residence of 6-8 rooms" at $27,500, with average rent for a 3-4 room apartment at $100 to $125. Evanston is more tenant-occupied than owner-occupied. Of the 20,947 housing units reported in the 1950 census, 58% were occupied by renters. PLANNING THE CITY'S DEVELOPMENT Of the 19,025 dwelling units on which the "year built" was reported in the last census, over 8,000 were constructed in 1919 or earlier, with almost another 8,000 built between 1920 and 1929. The maintenance and preservation of these older homes, many of them 15- and 20-room mansions, has become a problem of importance in a continued fight against blight in the city. Maintenance of a well-balanced residential community is the goal of the city's Planning Coordinator. His office is concerned with the over-all plan for land use, the relationships of major thoroughfares to residential and com- THIS IS EVANSTON mercial areas, and the planning and development of parking lots, parks, play- grounds, and beaches. The Plan Commission aids in this effort. The Land Clearance Commission may also be a factor. Zoning is the tool used to develop the community in the manner suggested by the Plan Commission. ZONING Evanston's zoning ordinance divides the city into ten different use districts. It regulates and restricts the locations of trades and industries, regulates the height and bulk of buildings, limits the intensity of the use of lot areas, and determines the area of yards, courts, and other open spaces. The Zoning Commission recommends the amendment or revision of the ordinance. ZONING APPEALS A seven-member Zoning Board of Appeals, appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council, hears petitions for variations from the zoning ordinance. The board's decisions are referred to the City Council for approval. The Director of Building is the zoning enforcement officer. He also serves as secretary of the Board of Appeals. Any citizen may appeal to the board. All hearings are open to the public, with announcement of hearings published at least 15 days in advance. A filing fee of $25 is charged. Penalty for violation of the ordinance is a fine of from $25 to $200. BUILDING CODE A building code, up-to-date and workable, is essential to proper control of building. Evanston drafted its first code in 1915 and revised it in 1927. The city is considering adoption of the recently promulgated basic building code of the Building Officials Conference of America. EVANSTON'S CHURCHES Evanston, from its founding a "City of Churches", is known around the world wherever there are Christian churches because of the meeting of the Second Assembly of the World Council of Churches which was held here in August 1954 with Northwestern University as the official host. There are 54 houses of worship in Evanston, including two Jewish congre- gations, four Roman Catholic parishes, and 48 Protestant churches. Jewish Congregations Evanston's Reform Congregation meets at Beth Emet Free Synagogue. The Conservative Congregation holds services at the Dawes School. The Hillel Foundation serves the spiritual needs of the Jewish students at Northwestern University. PEOPLES, HOMES, AND CHURCHES Roman Cathode Parishes St. Athanasius, Evanston's northernmost parish, is bounded on the north and the west by the city limits; by the lake on the east; and on the south by Simpson Street east of the North Western Railway tracksj and by Emerson Street west of the railroad. St. Mary's parish is bounded on the north by Simpson Street east of the rail- road and by Emerson Street west of the railroad; on the south by Calvary Cemetery east of the railroad and by Greenleaf Street west of the railroad; on the east by the lake; and on the west by McCormick Road. St. Nicholas parish is bounded on the north by the south side of Greenleaf Street; on the south by the north side of Howard Street; on the east by the railroad; and on the west by the North Shore Channel. Ascensionof Our Lord Church is a national (Polish) parish without boundaries. Protestant Churches Twenty-two denominations are represented among Evanston's 48 Protestant churches. A majority of the Protestant churches unite in several cooperative programs through the Evanston Council of Churches. These programs include the United Canvas, in which 28 churches joined, in I954i for ihe raising of their individual budgets; special Thanksgiving and Lenten services open to the general public; a Youth Conference, conducted jointly by the High School and the Council of Churches; and the North Shore Cooperative School of Religion, for laymen and church school leaders. A Sunday School for Retarded Children is sponsored by the Council. It is open to children of every denomination, race, and faith. DIRECTORY OF CHURCHES A complete listing of Evanston churches, giving their locations and the hours of services, is carried each week in the Evanston Review. 1.1,1. i,i,'T:T, i , i ,i II. EVANSTON'S ECONOMIC LIFE Evanston is both suburb and city. Although a large percentage of Evan- stonians commute to Chicago to earn their living, Evanston itself draws workers from roundabout for its own expanding business and industry. EVANSTON'S WORKERS According to the most recent figures^ the U. S. Census of 1950, 73% of the 27,798 men in Evanston over 14 years of age were employed — in Evanston or elsewhere. Of the 33,099 women over 14 years of age, 33% were employed outside the home. 1950 Population Numbers Percent Males: Total 14 years and over 27,798 100 Employed 20,370 73 Unemployed 432 1.5 Others* 6-,930 25 Females: Total 14 years and over 33,099 100 Employed 10,963 33 Unemployed 220 .6 Keeping house 14,990 38 ♦Others 6,924 21 * "Others" are those unable to work or not reported. 1940 Numbers Percent 24,332 100 18,495 76 1,134 4.6 4,703 19 30,184 100 9,734 32 380 1.2 (Not reported in '40) (Not reported in '40) EVANSTON'S ECONOMIC LIFE THE WORK THEY DO The largest single classification of occupation for Evanstonians is in the professional field according to the 1950 U. S. Census figures. Over 19% are engaged in the professions or related fields. Manufacturings with 5,747 people^ is die next largest classification, and retailing^ with 4,724, is the third largest group. MAJOR OCCUPATION GROUPS - 1950 Total Total employed Extractive Constructive Manufacturing Transportation, communication, and other public utilities Wholesale trade Retail trade Finance, insurance, and real estate Business and personal services excluding private households Professional and related services Not reported* * Includes employed persons classified in private households, entertainment^ and recreation, public administration, and industry not reported. Of the employed male group, 16,228 are private wage and salary workers, 1,451 are government workers, and 2,636 are self-employed. Among the women, 9,479 are private wage and salary workers, 940 government workers, and 520 ■ self-employed. Since these figures are for all Evanstonians, many of whom are employed outside the city, they do not indicate the relationship of these businesses and occupations within Evanston. EVANSTON'S BUSINESS Retail trade establishments and professional services form the bulk of Evanston's business life. The main flow of business is around Fountain Square and Davis Street, with South Evanston having its neighborhood shopping center around Main Street and North Evanston on Central Street. The Evanston Telephone Directory furnishes a record of the diversity of businesses and Numbers Percent 31,333 100 192 .7 1,429 4.6 5,747 18.4 2,026 6.4 1,510 4.8 4,724 15.1 2,663 8.4 2,865 9.2 6,149 19.6 4,028 12.8 THIS IS EVANSTON services in the city. The 230 Yellow Pages of the directory's classified sec- tion list some thousand different classifications, ranging from abdominal supporters to zippers . Of the retail establishments, food stores are the most numerous^ with apparel stores running second in number. Food stores lead also in total volume of sales, with general merchandise establishments a close second. Illinois Department of Revenue occupation tax figures for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1954 show the following totals for business done by 904 Evanston establishments. Establishments Total Sales Food $25,779,021.00 General merchandise 25,531,747.50 "^ Automotive 19,077,410.00 Apparel 14,131,525.00 Drinking and eating places 6,708,394.50 Furniture and radio 4,148,158.00 Filling station 3,464,849.00 Lumber, building, hardware 2,968,485.00 Wholesale manufacturers 5,142,130.50 All others 8,655,850.50 INCOME OF EVANSTONIANS Evanston income amounted to $230,000,000 before taxes for the year 1954, according to a recent report on the Evanston economy prepared for the Evan- ston Chamber of Commercco On a spending unit basis, this yields an average income of $9,500 A "spending unit" is a family unit. The figures are derived by combining the incomes of all members of the household. For the United States as a whole, the average family (similar to spending unit) income before taxes amounted to $5,330. This high comparative income figure goes a long way in pointing up the characteristics of the Evanston economy. Of the total income of 230 million dollars, approximatelv $130 million was earned by residents working in Chicago. This does not mean that this amount represents wages, salaries, etc. originating in Chicago. For example, a spending unit whose head works in Chicago may have an income of $20,000 8 EVANSTON'S ECONOMIC LIFE of which $5,000 comes from dividends and only $15,000 comes from a Chicago salary. Subject to the same qualification the income of the spending units working in Evanston was $55 million, while those working elsewhere or retired constituted about $45 million. The following table gives the distribution of income for Evanston spending units. The average income for die group "over $10,000" is estimated to be $16,800. Income Distribution by Brackets Income Bracket Percent of Total Spending Units Under $1,000 1% $1,000 -$1,999 4% $2,000 - $2,999 6% $3,000 - $3,999 4% $4,000 - $4,999 8% $5,000 - $7,499 22% $7,500 - $9,999 10% Over $10,000 31% Not ascertained 13% INDUSTRY IN EVANSTON In 1940 Evanston had six industrial firms that employed 25 or more persons. Early in World War II, there was some expansion of industry in Evanston and the adjacent area, but it was not until immediately following the war and the lifting of building restrictions that Evanston began to be considered a desir- able site for the many industries seeking the advantages of a North Shore location. In 1955 Evanston had 64 industrial firms, employing approximately 4,000 persons and producing goods valued at 42 million dollars annually. The advantages of land values lower than in Chicago's congested areas, the possibilities for future expansion, and the improved working and living conditions for employees were factors in bringing these industries to Evan- ston. This growth has contributed to the strain put upon Evanston' s housing, public transportation, and city services, but at the same time has meant modem building on hitherto vacant property and consequently an increased amount of money collected by the city in taxes. It has provided more oppui- tunities for employment for local residents and more markets for the goods and services of retail establishments. Many Evanstonians are also employed in the expanding Skokie-McCormick industrial district on Evanston's south- western boundary. THIS IS EVANSTON At the present time there are about 400 acres of land zoned for industrial use in Evanston. Most of the area is now occupied, leaving little property available for additional industrial development. The present ratio of industrial property to other classifications of property, according to the Chamber of Commerce, is expected to remain about the same. Products manufactured here include: pharmaceuticals and hospital equip- ment, automotive parts and accessories, industrial compounds, foods, display equipment, chemicals, well supplies, scientific glassware, television sets, radios, decorated glassware, books and bindings, scales, paints, toys, fabri- cated coatings, hydraulic valves, laundry and cleaning equipment, photo- graphic supplies, vending machines, and tools. WAGES IN EVANSTON A survey conducted amoig a number of Evanston firms by the personnel managers group of the industrial division of the Evanston Chamber of Com- merce was released in 1954. It showed that Evanston firms were p>aying salaries commensurate with those paid by other firms in the Chicago area, and likewise were providing fringe benefits in keeping with sound personnel practices. An economic survey by the Chamber of Commerce, dated April 1955, indicated that unskilled help in Evanston earned hourly wages of 75^ to $1.20, with skilled workers earning from $1.25 to $4.25. Clerical help was paid $45 to $50 weekly for inexperienced beginners, experienced help earning $50 to $75. Executive level salaries began with junior executives at about $325 per month, senior executives from $500 up. NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS IN EVANSTON A number of national and international organizations have located their headquarters in Evanston. The close proximity to Chicago and the cultural and social advantages of the area make this location attractive. Among tlie groups with Evanston headquarters are the American Academy of Pediatrics, Film Council of America, General Finance Corporation, National Audio-Visual Association, National Merit Scholarship Corporation, National Small Busi- ness Men's Association, Rotary International, and Woman's Christian Temper- ance Union. III. LOCAL GOVERNMENT Evanston's City Hall is located at 1501 Oak Avenue. From 1892 to 1952, Evanston was an incorporated city with a mayor-council form of government. In 1952 the council-manager form of government was adopted. THE MAYOR The official head of Evanston city government is the mayor, who is elected for a four-year term. Under the managerial form of municipal government, the mayor is a part-time official who "shall be recognized as the official head of the municipality by the courts for the purpose of serving civil process and by the Governor for all legal purposes." (Chapter 24, Article 20, Illinois Re- vised Statutes, 1951.) His salary is fixed by the council and may not be changed during the in- cumbent's term in office. The present salary is SI, 800 a year. Members of the various city commissions and boards are appointed by him with the con- sent of the council. The mayor presides over meetings of the council and may vote only in case of a tie. He attends committee meetings of the council. He has the power to veto legislation. A two-thirds vote of the council is required to pass an ordinance over his veto. The council rarely refuses to approve an execu- tive appointment. THE CITY MANAGER The city council appoints the city manager who is the administrative head of the municipal government and who is responsible for the efficient adminis- tration of all departments. He is appointed without regard to his political be- liefs and need not be a resident of the municipality when appointed. The manager is appointed for an indefinite term. The council may designate a qualified administrative officer of the municipality to perform the duties of 10 LOCAL GOVERNNdENT 11 the manager during his absence or disability. The manager may at any time be removed from office by a majority vote of the members of the counciL The powers and duties of the manager are: 1. To enforce the laws and ordinances within the municipality. 2. To appoint and remove all directors of departments. No appointment shall be made upon any basis other than that of merit and fitness. 3. To exercise control of all departments and divisions created by the managerial law or that may be created by the City Council. 4. To attend all meetings of the council with the right to take part in the discussions, but with no right to vote. 5. To recommend to the council for adoption such measures as he may deem necessary or expedient. 6. To prepare a proposed annual budget for consideration of the city council. 7. To perform such other duties as are required by the managerial law or may be required of him by ordinance or resolution of the council. The man- ager receives a salary fixed by the council at $15,000 per year. In addition, the manager may perform certain other functions of a public relations nature. "The Inner Circle," the city manager's newsletter, comes under this classification. THE CITY COUNCIL The city council is the city's legislature. Within the limits set for it by the state, the council adopts the ordinances under which the city functions. Powers conferred on the city council by state statute must be exercised by the city council itself if discretion is involved- Authority to act may not be delegated by the council to another agency or officer. Within limits set by the state, the council has power to levy taxes for corporate functions and to bor- row money. Through its control of appropriations, it exercises control over the administrative departments. It also approves appointments made by the mayor. In city government, too, the American governmental principle of checks and balances is operating. The council consists of 18 aldermen, two from each of the nine wards. State statute provides that there shall be 14 aldermen for the first 30,000 people and two additional legislators for each additional 20,000 population. Thus, while Evanston's population remains between 70,000 and 90,000, the council will have 18 aldermen, so long as the present form of government is retained. The managerial law states that the powers of the council shall be purely legislative. The council appoints the city manager, and creates departments by ordinance. LlbKMKY UNIVERSITY OF ILLIINOi.- AT URBANA- CHAMPAIGN 12 THIS IS EVANS TON How Aldermen Are Elected Any citizen may circulate petitions for nomination to the city council. Al- dermen are elected for four-year terms by the voters in their wards, one every two years. Council members receive $15.00 for each council meeting they attend. Council Meetings The council convenes in regular session at 9^00 p.m. every Monday night except when Monday holidays delay the meeting until Tuesday. Meetings of the Committee of the Aldermen are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The city manager prepares an agenda which is mailed to aldermen and the press each Friday before council meetings. Mimeographed copies of council minute, are sent each week by the city clerk to officials and interested citizens. Council meetings are open to the public who may come as audience but not as participants. Much of the council work is done in the committee meetings. Committee of tfte Aldermen The Committee of the Aldermen, or committee of the whole, carries on much of the real business of the council. Differences are aired and settled here. It is now meeting regularly and can be called at other meeting times by a majority vote of council members. It has no official powers, but offers an opportunity for discussion by all the council membership. Only if a citizen is granted permission to appear may he attend meetings of this committee. ORDINANCES Only an alderman may propose legislation for passage by the council. A council committee or the city manager may recommend to the alderman the passage of a bill. Occasionally some citizen group may sponsor an ordi- nance which is submitted by an interested alderman. After its formal presentation, the proposed legislation is referred to the corporation counsel with authority to prepare an appropriate proposed ordinance. Vtlien the bill has been drafted in its proper legal form, it is introduced on the floor of the council and marked in the council records for passage the fol- lowing week. All ordinances are published in full in the Evanston Review. Information about legislation is to be found in the records of the city clerk. Most ordinances become effective ten days after publication. A majority of all aldermen (ten) must be present when a bill comes for vote. The state statute requires more than a majority for certain types of legislation or coun- cil action; for example: passage of an ordinance over the mayor's veto, or passage of a zoning variation which is in opposition to the recommendations of the Zoning Board of Appeals. LOCAL GOVERNMENT 13 THE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE Department heads, appointed by the city manager, administer the various departments. Where boards exist, they tend to be advisory and are not con- cerned with administrative detail. The Civil Service Commission, the Library Board, and the Playground and Recreation Board are the principal exceptions as provided by law. Two administrative officials, the city treasurer and the city clerk, are elected and therefore not subject to the direction of the mayor or city manager. The city clerk is the city's secretary. Elected every four years at the same time as the mayor, he serves as secretary at meetings of the city coun- cil, and as keeper of the city seal and city records. He also acts as town- ship clerk and as a deputy for the county clerk and is the local official in charge of registrations and elections. The city clerk receives $6,000 a year. Also chosen at the mayoralty election are township officers. The city council in Evanston is the township governing board as provided for the townships which are coterminous with municipal boundaries. Other township officers include the township supervisor (of public relief)— paid from town levy, the township assessor who serves as deputy to the county assessor— with a salary paid from the town levy, five justices of the peace (See chapter on Justice)-a fee office, five constables (See chapter on Justice)-also a fee office and the township treasurer, whose function is limited to acting as treasurer of the school districts and is appointed by the township trustees. The treasurer's salary and the expenses of his office are paid by the school districts. The township collector handles local tax collections and makes allocations to the several local taxing agencies. At present, the incumbent is also city treasurer. THE CITY'S POWERS All municipal powers are derived from the state. Since the Illinois con- stitution says very little about the scope and authority of cities and villages, the General Assembly prescribes, through legislative enactment, these pow- ers for the control of municipal services, finances, and regulations. In the absence of limitations expressly stated in a state constitution, according to a general principle of American constitutional law, the authority goes to the state legislature. Evanston and other municipalities then have only the pow- ers which the legislature grants to them. These may be increased or dimin- ished with each session of the General Assembly. Few functions have been specifically prohibited to cities and villages; courts, however, have held they have only those powers specifically granted. State statutes make specific provisions as to how cities may obtain local funds for governmental services. Sources of tax funds are rigidly prescribed. 14 THIS IS EVANSTON Most local funds must come from taxes on real estate. Limits are set on the amount of tax that may be levied for various city services. Maximum debt is limited to 5% of the city's assessed valuation. Limits are set on rates which may be levied for a specific service. Among the powers delegated to municipalities by the state are these: 1. ELECTIONS -Conduct of municipal elections. 2. ADMINISTRATION -Supervision over employees and control of munici- pal property. 3. FINANCES — Appropriating money for municipal purposes; levying taxes; borrowing money; and servicing the municipal debt (all under strict limits). 4. POLICE AND FIRE PROTECTION -Protection of persons and proper- ty; detection of crime; definition and abatement of nuisances; recovery of property; maintenance of police and fire department; prevention of vagrancy; maintenance of city jail. 5. TRANSPORTATION —Maintenance and regulation of streets and al- leys; bridges, wharves, harbors and canals; lighting and clearing of streets and alleys; and inaintenance of airports. 6. PUBLIC HEALTH —Promotion of public health and prevention of di- sease; provision for a board of health; inspection of food; sewage disposal; £Uid maintenance of a municipal hospital. 7. PUBLIC WELFARE —Maintenance of public parks, bathing beaches and recreational centers; zoning and location of trades and industries; and city plauining. 8. REGULATION OF BUSINESS -License of peddlers, pawnbrokers, the- aters, and restaurants; regulation of markets and inspection of weights and measures. 9. PUBLIC UTILITIES — Purchase, construction and maintenance of water works and street railways. FINANCE DEPARTMENT The city manager is ex-officio finance director for the city of Evanston. The city treasuier's functions are limited by statute. However, as deputy comptroller, the city treasurer has a wide range of duties. He also serves as township collector. He is elected every four years at the same time as the mayor. In the finance department, but appointed by the city manager and directly responsible to him, is the city collector and superintendent of special as- sessments. A full-time appointee, he collects water bills and all city li- censes, such as business licenses, city vehicle licenses, dog licenses, beach tokens, etc. The city comptroller has been a nominal position with the work done by LOCAL GOVERNMENT 15 his deputy, the city treasurer. The appointment of a full-time comptroller is being considered. Auditing is done by an outside firm of certified public accountants respon- sible to the council. The city manager prepares a proposed annual budget with the aid of his department heads. The city council must approve all pay- ments and payrolls. LAW DEPARTMENT The legal department is headed by the corporation counsel. He is ap- pointed by the city manager. He has full charge of all the city's law busi- ness. He drafts all ordinances for the city council, furnishes day to day guidance to administrative officials, and is legal advisor to the city council. Assisting the corporation counsel is the city prosecutor who serves the city on a part-time basis. He handles all prosecutions for ordinance viola- tions and such matters as suits for collection of license fees. The attorney for the Board of Local Improvements is legal- advisor to that board which institutes and levies special assessments, such as street and alley improvements. He receives no fixed salary but is given a fee out of any special assessments which may be approved. PLANNING DEPARTMENT Newest addition to the administrative structure of the city is a Planning Department headed by a planning coordinator. This post was created by the council in 1955 to provide direction for an over-all city planning program. The planning coordinator is appointed by the city manager. He also serves as executive secretary to the Evanston Plan Commission and provides staff services for the commission's program. PLAN COMMISSION Eviinston has established a Plan Commission of 12 members to study and make recommendations to the mayor and council on courses of action which will consider plans for land use, recreation, methods for strengthening the business life of the city, possible solutions for the parking problem, the con- servation of residential areas, and control and encouragement of desirable industry. It considers specific projects, both private and public, and evalu- ates them for the development of recommendations in relation to the general plan for the city of Evanston. The planning coordinator provides staff work for the commission. SERVICE DEPARTMENTS Five department heads appointed by the city manager administer the major city departments of police, fire, building, health, and public works. (Each of these is discussed in other chapters.) They devote their entire time to 16 THIS IS EVANSTON municipal service. They are responsible for essential services for the city and the protection and enhancement of millions of dollars of property. All other city services fall under the director of public works: engineering, water and sewers, parks, streets and refuse, traffic, and maintenance. The director of public works also acts as executive assistant to the city manager and as the ».ity purchasing agent. CIVIL DEFENSE Civil defense appears to be a fixed function of municipal government. It depends to a large extent on the strength and effectiveness of regular city departments. Although there is disagreement as to the desirable nature and scope of this function, Evanston has been a leader under the direction of an able part-time unpaid director. COMMISSIONS Numerous commissions help to plan, administer, or provide advisory func- tions for city services. With few exceptions their members are appointed by the mayor with the consent of the council and serve without compensation. These commissions include: 1. Art Commission — passes on all works of art to be placed in or upon any city building, public park or school, and the design of a civic building. 2. Civil Service Commission — administers the city merit system as pro- vided by law. 3. Land Clearance Commission — State authority to clear blighted neigh- borhoods. 4. Library Board — administers the public library through the librarian. 5. Board of Local Improvements — has supervision over special assess- ments such as those for paving alleys. 6. Board of Health — guides health department policy. 7. Firemen's Pension Board — administers fund. 8. Plan Commission — assists in establishing Evanston's long range objectives. 9. Police Pension Fund Board — administers fund. 10. Playground and Recreation Board — has responsibility for administra- tion of municipal recreation. 11. Zoning Board of Appeals — hears requests for variances from zoning and submits recommendations to the council. 12. Zoning Commission — recommends amendment or revision of zoning ordinance. 13- Board of Examining Engineer* — holds certain examinations for candi- dates for licenses. 14. Electrical Commission — advises city council in regard to ordinances pertaining to electrical matters. LOCAL GOVERNMENT 17 CITY EMPLOYEES The history of personnel administration in Evanston goes back to July 1895, when Evanston elected by referendum to be under civil service, follow- ing passage by the Illinois General Assembly that same year of "An Act to Regulate the Civil Service in Cities." A Civil Service Commission of three men was appointed by the mayor at that time, but it was not until 1939 that a full time secretary and chief ex- aminer was appointed to carry out new plans for a merit system. A three-man Civil Service Commission is appointed by the mayor, with the consent of the city council, for staggered three year terms. They receive $350 each per year. These men, who must by state law not all be of the same political party, direct certain aspects of personnel administration as prescribed by state statutes. Rules for operation of the commission were written and revised in 1942 and govern certification of employees, examina- tions, etc. A secretary and chief examiner, a secretary, and an administra- tive assistant are employed for the work of the commission as well as for a full range of personnel activities. CLASSIFICATION AND PAY PLANS In May 1954, the city council adopted a comprehensive position classifi- cation plan and related pay plan proposed by the Public Administration Ser- vice, a management engineering firm. The plans include position titles and pay ranges for each class of municipal employee and were adopted by ordinance. Specifically, the plans reclassify by description all city jobs except for elected officials and for the city manager and corporation counsel. There are 108 job titles covering the city's 487 employees. The plan also estab- lishes 50 salary ranges, each going from minimum to maximum in six steps. A salary range is assigned to each job classification. Under the plan each employee was given a job title. Salary increases at the time of the adoption of the plan were determined by the employee's sal- ary as it fitted into the range for the title given each employee or employee group. An average increase of QA per cent was given at that time. Future increases will be granted within the framework of the plan, with employees moving up one pay step at a time within their class on merit. Length of ser- vice is not considered a factor in future increases except for police patrol- men and firemen, who receive automatic increases after one, two, and three years* service, and thereafter only on merit. Prior to the 1954 pay boost, increases had been granted to city employees chiefly as flat-sum pay increases for all employees or uniform percentage in- creases for all employees. In setting up the 1954 plans, each city employee filled out a question- naire which was used as the basis for classifying the job by title. Salaries 18 THIS IS EVANSTON of Evanston city employees were compared with those of 17 other public bodies in the area and with private industry in setting up the new pay plans. City employees were given a chance to appeal both job classification and salary range at that time and in the future. The plans aim at providing ecjual pay for equal work within the city at salaries comparable to those paid by other public bodies and by private in- dustry. They enable the employee to see how far he can go salary-wise with- in his job and what the qualifications are for the next highest job to which he may aspire. The plans are expected to be valuable in recruiting future employees and helping morale of present employees. Two new positions included in the city job classification and pay plans were omitted by the city council in the ordinance covering adoption and ad- ministration of the plans. These two were finance director and personnel director. APPOINTMENT AND TENURE RULES Until some form of revised personnel rules are adopted, city employment will continue under the Civil Service Commission rules for appointment and tenure. Candidates for city employment must be American citizens of good character and within qualifying age limits. An application for appointment must be filed with the Civil Service Commission. After passing certain ex- aminations, the applicant's name goes on an eligibility list. Appointments are made in the order of the names on this list. Promotions, on a merit basis, may be made after city employment of one year. Removal procedure requires that charges be placed before the Civil Service Commission before or after dismissal. The employee may ask for hearing, which must be granted within 60 days. PENSION, OTHER BENEFITS Police and firemen participate in their own pension plans. Other city em- ployees may participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Plan which was authorized by public referendum in I94I. The police and firemen plans provide for fixed sums at retirement. The general plan is an actuarial system in which benefits are based on amounts credited to individual employees. Hospital insurance protection is provided to city employees without cost by the city of Evanston. Medical and surgical coverage may be added through payroll deductions. Regular sick leave and vacation plans are offered all employees. IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES PAYING FOR OUR GOVERNMENT SERVICES The average taxpayer finds it difficult to consider his taxes for what they are— payment for real and tangible services, essential to living today. Evans- ton's civic standard of living has risen along with other standards. It cost about $10,500,000 to provide Evanston with local government ser- vices including schools in 1953, or about $144 per Evanstonian. The various governing boards have state-imposed limits on their taxing powers. For ex- ample, the state has set a maximum tax rate for specific services performed by a city government: for the general corporate fund (which includes police, fire, health, public works, etc ); for refuse collection; for the public library, public playgrounds, small parks, and the various pension funds. Each school district is limited as to the amount it may raise for educational purposes and for its building fund. Taxing bodies are limited not only in amount, but also as to the kind of taxes they may levy. The quality and quantity of govern- ment services, including education, must be determined within these limits. TAXING BODIES IN EVANSTON Evanston has nine overlapping units of government performing services for its citizens and with power to levy taxes: the county, the forest preserve district, the suburban tuberculosis sanitarium district, the sanitary district, the mosquito abatement district, the city of Evanston, the township of Evans- ton, Evanston Township High School (District 202), and the consolidated elementary school district (District 65). Residents of certain areas are also subject to tax levies from local park districts, the First Park District (southeast Evanston), the North East Park District, and Ridgeville Park District (southwest Evanston). 19 20 THIS IS EVANSTON WHAT THE PROPERTY TAX DOLLAR PAYS FOR A little more than half (52.7%) of the property tax dollar goes to educate Evanston children, 32.4% for elementary schools, 20.3% for Evanston Town- ship High School. Other divisions of the tax dollar are shown in the illus- tration on page 23. WHAT THE CITY'S DOLLARS PAY FOR The budget for municipal services in 1955 was about $4,000,000. The city's total revenue is spent on these services: Street and refuse services 18% Police service 15% Water and sewer 14% General government 12% Fire protection 10% Vehicle parking facilities 6% Public improvements 6% Public library 4% Playground and recreation 4% Park and tree maintenance 4% Employee retirement 4% Public health 3% More than half of this budget goes to pay the 500 people who provide these technical, utility, public safety, and other-type municipal services. WHERE THE SCHOOLS' DOLLARS GO The budget for the Evanston elementary schools for 1954-55 was $3,856,074; for the high school $2,124,594. More than half of this expendi- ture was for instruction, with building operation the second largest item. Cost per child in average daily attendance Year Elementary School High School 1943-44 $136.43 $225.51 1944-45 147.96 245.23 1945-46 158.17 278.54 1946-47 194.53 291.05 1947-48 261.08 338.13 1948-49 298.00 407.31 1949-50 285.00 405.48 1950-51 321.00 504.20 1951-52 399.00 546.73 1952-53 407.00 663-53 1953-54 418.00 621.78 1954-55 453.00 626.67 (These figures are based on costs of instruction plus building operation, and do not include bond and interest charges and capital outlay.) LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES 21 WHERE EVANSTON GETS ITS REVENUE (1954) 41% PROPERTY TAXES MlSCELLANEO«JS 20Vo SALE OF WATER 23% LICENSES PERMITS FINES WHERE OTHER TAX DOLLARS GO Taxpayers in each park district pay the costs of dieir special district. Interest and amortization of debts incurred in purchase of land for parks, plus labor costs make up most of their budgets, which totalled $113,216 in 1955-56, North East Park spending $64,6l6; Ridgeville, $37,300; First Park District, $11,300. Every Evanstonian is also a citizen of Cook County which renders ser- vices for him— law courts, some law enforcement, maintenance of county high- ways, machinery for assessment and collection of taxes, election machinery. 22 THIS IS EVANSTON and inscituuons for public aid such as Oak Forest for the aged and chronic- ally ill, the Bureau of Public Welfare, Children's Service, Juvenile Court and Detention Home, Public Defender, and County Hospital. The county, of course, has other sources of revenue in addition to real estate taxes; only 8.4% of thfe property tax bill goes to the county. SOURCES OF REVENUE FOR CITY GOVERNMENT The general property tax (three- fourths on real estate and one-fourth on personal property) provided the city government of Evanston with 47% of the money needed to pay for services of government in 1955. School districts in Evanston get 85% to 90% of their funds from this source. Receipts from licenses, permits, and fines provided about 23% of the city government's revenue in 1955. The city's vehicle tax contributes toward maintenance of streets and bridges. Building permits and inspection fees cover the entire cost of the Building Department and enforcement of the zon- ing ordinance except in times of depressed building construction. Court fees almost cover the expenses of the Municipal Court. Vlany license fees and fines help the Police Department and the Police Pension fund. Beach token collections go for the maintenance and supervision of the beaches. Receipts from parking meters are used to finance the acquisition and maintenance of 24 off-street parking lots. The city's share of the state motor fuel tax is used to maintain and rebuild arterial streets as approved by the state. The stnte provides limited funds for the maintenance of the tvanston Health Department. The sale of water to consumers in Evanston and in Skokie (a suburb ad- joining Evanston on the west) accounted for 20% of the city's funds in 19*55. Miscellaneous sources brought in about 10% of the city's revenue. Evanston citizens are relatively free from separate taxes such as sewer, garbage, and rubbish taxes. SOURCES OF SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDS District 65 (elementary schools) received 85% of its revenue $2,780,410.04 in 1954-55 from general property taxes. District 202 (high school) received $1,764,389 or 85% of its revenue in 1954-55 from this tax. Schools have far fewer secondary sources of funds than the city. The state is the largest contributor (outside of the property tax) for the elemen- tary schools, granting (in 1954-55) from the state distributive fund, $133,645.60, or $22 per pupil. Schools also received $112,848.50 to help educate Evanston's handicapped children, and $996.00 toward education of orphans. The high school received only 2% of its funds from the state. Every high school which meets minimum requirements in Illinois receives $7 per pupil in LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES 23 WHAT THE TAX DOLLARS PAID FOR (1954) 52.T% TO EDUCATE evanston's children TOWNSHIP ^^ RELIEF MOSaUITO ^^ ABATEMENT FOR POLICE, FIRE PROTECTION, HEALTH, TRAFFIC SAFETY, PARKS, GARBAGE AND REFUSE DISPOSAL, LIGHTING, ETC. .c-'?; 18.3' T8% ^'?«: i2£^w !•*>? f^^/ FOR \ FOR COUNTyX SEWAGE COURTS, \ DISPOSAL ELECTIONS^ WELFARE SERVICES. COLLCC 'S^r, Purpose School District #65 High School District Total for Schools CITY OF EVANSTON Cook County Sanitary District TB Sanitarium Forest Preserve Township City of Evanston Mosquito Abatement Total Tax Levy $2,837,860 1,775,980 $4,613,840 2,388,068 723,376 681,643 180,844 97,378 32,459 32,459 $8,750,067 % of Total To 32.4% 20.3 52.7% 27.3 8.3 7.8 2.0 1.1 0.4 0.4 100.0% 24 THIS IS EVANSTON average daily attendance. In addition, the high school received $28,378.10 for education of exceptional children. Federal aid was very small. Tuition and fees, the rental of school property, and miscellaneous sources account for remaining school revenues. ASSESSMENT OF REAL PROPERTY The County Assessor, elected every four years, with the Township Assessor (also elected) and deputy assessors and field men appointed by the county assessor, determine the value of each piece of property in Evanston for tax purposes. The assessed value for tax purposes is always lower than the probable resale value. At the present time in Cook County the assessed value of a building is about 40% of its actual value. As building permits are reported to the County Assessor's office, visual appraisal of all buildings and improvements is made by field men from that office. Tables of deprecia- tion are applied at the rate of about 2% per year, so every four years a build- ing is appraised at 8% less than the previous appraisal, but never more than 20% below the original appraisal. A general reassessment is made every four years - 1955, 1959, 1963, and so forth. ASSESSMENT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY Personal property is taxed annually and at the same rate as real estate. Each of approximately 11,000 Evanstonians receiving a blank from the as- sessor's office files a record of his personal property with the County As- sessor. In 1954 individuals failing to return the schedules, forcing the as- sessor to make an estimate, received a 50% penalty. The assessor cannot make a visual appraisal of personal property. The list is published in the Evanston Review. Taxpayers may file a complaint 10 days after the public listing. The 10% to 12% turnover in residents complicates collections. A new state law taking effect with the issuance of 1955 license plates will help, since a form attached to the state license application will be sent back to the local assessor by the state. Collection of personal property taxes has improved in recent years. The County Assessor determines the personal property tax bill of individuals and of corporations and businesses. Because of existing procedure and policy, the total assessed value placed upon personal property is nominal in amount. Accordingly, it does not reflect the true ratio between actual real property and personal property owned by citizens. ASSESSMENT OF RAILROADS The state is responsible for fixing the assessed valuation of railroads and for assigning the proportion of the total evaluation which is within Evanston. LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES 25 WHERE SCHOOL DISTRICT 65 GETS ITS FUNDS 1954-55 TOTAL RECEIPTS $3,246,595.10 TOTAL ASSESSED VALUATION The total value, as assessed for tax puq^oses, of all property in Kvanston is referred to as the assessed valuation. What the city can pay for services 26 THIS IS EVANSTON and schools depends first of all on this assessed value of all property. Evanston's total assessed valuation in 1954 was $231,851,283- Class of Property 1954 Real Estate $205,908,204 Personal Property 24,508,391 Railroads 1,434,688 Total $231,851,283 The two school districts, which include a small section of Skokie, Illinois, had a total assessed valuation (1954) of $246,991,241, HOW THE TAX RATE IS DETERMINED Each year, various units of government serving within the city decide how much they need to spend to render their services for the year, keeping in mind the limits on the tax rate set by the state. From the budgeted total they subtract the sum they will receive from sources other than the property tax. The difference is the amount of the tax levy. Each unit sends its budget to the county clerk who divides the amount of the tax levy (the amount needed by that unit) by the total assessed valuation of all taxable property within the taxing unit (Evanston's real and personal property). The result is the tax rate. The tax rate is applied to the assessed value of each taxpayer's property and the result is the figure he gets on his tax bill. If the assessor has set the value of a home for tax purposes at $10,000, and the total tax rate for all local services is 3-624 for every $100.00 of assessed valuation, the tax bill will be $362.40. PAYING TAX BILLS In Cook County, real estate taxes are payable in two installments, usu- ally before May 1 and before September 1. Personal property taxes are usu- ally due May 1. It is the taxpayer's responsibility to see that he receives his tax bill; if it has not been received by April 1 , the taxpayer should find out why. Tax bills may be paid either to the Township Collector in Evanston or to the County Collector in Chicago. If the taxpayer pays his taxes in Evanston five days before the penalty date, the city receives a 2% collection fee. In recent years this has amounted to over $100,000 annually. A high local col- lection also allows for early retirement of tax anticipation warrants. In 1953, record collections by the Township Collector enabled an early retirement of $840,000 in tax anticipation warrants of the City of Evanston. Tax bills are for services edready rendered. Illinois local governments are always a year behind in raising money to pay their bills. The 1954 tax bills are paid in 1955, and the receipts are used to meet 1955 operating expenses. Taxing bodies therefore often have to borrow against future funds to pay current bills, issuing tax anticipation war- LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES 27 WHERE SCHOOL DISTRICT 65 DOLLARS GO 1954-55 TOTAL EXPENDITURES $3,237,551.13 INSTRUCTION ? 2,006,243.60 1 MAINTENANCE ^^ ^ U 211,561*62^^^^ 7 V \ ^..x-^^BT / / N. Y^^^ SERVICE / / N. \ /Capital /. O n y f'' w »" w z u \ OPERATION \ /outlay J L^ Soj^ l\ , 'Z56A39.39 / < Of ro 1? j«\\ \f 276,014.29 uiO 2d o. lA- OTHER f 1,599. 98 'i.lr FIXED 1 ^ CHARGES 445,106.68 28 THIS IS EVANSTON rants for this purpose. Interest must be paid on these warrants, an additional cost to taxpayers. PROTESTING TAXES Real Estate Valuation Protest: The taxpayer may protest the valuation of his real estate if he diinks it too high by filing his protest with the elected County Board of Tax Appeals. In Cook County, this board may revise assessments only on the protest of a taxpayer. The taxpayer must file his complaint with the board of appeals within a period of 15 days after the assessor announces the official valua- tions for the township. Illegal Rate Protest: The taxpayer may also protest against the tax rates as set up by local taxing bodies by having his attorney file a protest letter at the time of pay- ment of the bill. While the tax is under protest, the money is held in escrow and may not be turned over to the taxing body. In 1954, $535,000 was tied up in escrow of funds due to the city government alone. A great increase in pro- tests could mean that a taxing body would have to borrow money to meet cur^ rent expenses until the money was released. Personal Property Protest: If a taxpayer believes a personal property assessment is out of line, he must file a complaint with the Board of Tax Appeals immediately after the official tax list is published. The Board has the legal authority to revise valuations as established by the assessor. TAX DELINQUENCY People who do not pay their taxes help increase the tax bills of those who do by about 10%. In Evanston 90% of tax bills are paid on time. The city, when making up its tax levy ordinance each year, usually adds 6% to make up for taxes not paid. A special program set up to collect these back taxes and the building boom have returned many vacant lots to the tax rolls, so that most of this problem has been eliminated. Delinquent taxes bear interest at the rate of 1% per month until paid, forfeited, or foreclosed. TAX-EXEMPT PROPERTY The state has exempted from taxation the properties of many institutions which perform a public service, including churches, orphanages, cemeteries, free public libraries, homes for old people, institutions of public charity, property used for educational purposes, and most public property. Tax as- sessors do not include their value when making up the total value of property within a town for tax purposes. LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES 29 WHERE THE HIGH SCHOOL S REVENUE COMES FROM 1954-55 TOTAL RECEIPTS $2,076,296.94 In 1953 this property amounted to 832.97 acres, about one-sixth of Evans- ton. Four- fifths of this belongs to schools, hospitals, churches and tax- exempt institutions. One-fifth, 178 acres, belongs to Northwestern, 147 acres devoted to education and 31 acres to non-educational property. The latter amounts to one-half of 1% of the city's total area. 30 THIS IS EVANSTON WHERE THE HIGH SCHOOL DOLLARS GO 1954-55 TOTAL EXPENDITURES $1,890,115.33 INSTRUCTION ^971,912.36 GENERAL CONTROL Ar^ OTHER SERVICE 206,556.75 AUXILIARY \ ^ ACTIVITIES (CAFETERIA, SCHOOL STORE, BOYS'ATHLETICS, ETC.) \s 214,990,83 As property is left to Northwestern as legacies, it is sold and returned to tax rolls. Tax exemption does not extend to improvements and special as- sessments; these are paid by the University. Owners of improvements on Northwestem's land annually pay taxes on these improvements of about $175,000. LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES 31 BONDED INDEBTEDNESS Evanston's units of government must borrow when major improvements, such as a new school building, additions to water works, etc., are needed. Accumulation of large surpluses for future use is not permitted by state law, which tends to prevent pay-as-you-go financing. During the depression years and World War II, almost all building was postponed, but in recent years the city has been adding to and replacing outmoded facilities to fill long-pending needs. The city's bonding power is over $11,500,000 and the present total of General Obligation Bonds amounts to less than $3,500,000. Total Bonded Indebtedness of Local Taxing Units, July 1, 195^ School Districts District 65 $2,721,000 District 202 3,310,000 City of Evanston Payable from Revenue: Parking System Revenue Bonds 820,000 Water Revenue Bonds 3,910,000* General Obligation Bonds: Police and Fire Station 965,000 Fire Apparatus 110,000 Refuse Equipment 170,000 Garage Improvement 280,000 Foster Field Community House 425,000** New Incinerator 790,000** Park Districts First Park District none North East Park District 10,000 Ridgeville Park District 50,000 *0f total amount shown $1,450,000 in bonds not actually issued as of July 1,1955. **Bonds not actually issued as of July 1, 1955. NEW SOURCES OF REVENUE On October 1, 1955 a Vz cent municipal sales tax became effective in Evanston. It is estimated that $600,000 could be realized annually from this tax. This new major resource will enable city government to embark on a program of pay-as-you-go capital improvements. V. PROTECTION OF LIVES AND PROPERTY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT The prime functions of Evanston's Police Department are, as in other cities, preservation of the public peace and order, prevention and detection of crime, apprehension of offenders, and protection of persons and property. Evanston police have jurisdiction within the boundaries of the city only, except when in immediate pursuit of a criminal. County police have jurisdic- tion over the entire county and serve as deputy sheriffs. The work of the Police Department falls into the following divisions, each under the direction of one or more lieutenants; Patrol Division The Patrol Division is comprised of three 8-hour shifts, each under the command of a lieutenant. Each shift comprises a lieutenant, a sergeant, ap- proximately 15 patrolmen, and one radio and switchboard operator. Certain of the patrolmen are assigned to squad cars. Traffic Division The Traffic Division is concerned with street traffic control and accident prevention. Motorcycle patrolmen are under the traffic division. This division is in charge of school crossings, automobile testing lanes, accident records, parking supervision, and the accident prevention program. Criminal Investigation Division The Criminal Investigation Division has charge of the investigation of fel- onies, major misdemeanors, sudden deaths, including traffic fatalities, and the apprehension and prosecution of persons responsible for crimes committed within the city of Evanston. This division operates and maintains the poly- graph or lie detector. 32 PROTECTION OF LIVES AND PROPERTY 33 Juvenile Probation Division The Juvenile Probation Division handles offenses committed by male chil- dren under the age of 17 and by female children under 18, also all offenses committed against juveniles regardless of the age of the offender. This divi- sion is primarily concerned with corrective rather than punitive measures. It maintains a Crime Prevention Bureau which investigates conditions contri- butory to crime and makes corrective recommendations. It is responsible for censoring all moving pictures shown in Evanston. The lieutenant in charge is a member of the Evanston Welfare Council, a commissioned officer of the Family Court of Cook County, and probation of- ficer of the Municipal Court of Evanston. Thus he can be in close touch with all corrective facilities. Bureau of Records and Identification and Crime Laboratory The Bureau of Records and Identification and Crime Laboratory keeps a com- plete file of records, reports, statistics, and information relative to all police functions. This division operates the photographic and finger-printing equip- ment of the department and has facilities for any chemical or physical analyses needed. The Bureau publishes a daily bulletin. Personnel The general management and control of the Police Department is vested in the Chief of Police, who is responsible for the government, efficiency, and general good conduct of the department. The police captain is second in com- mand. The rest of the department consists of six lieutenants, eight sergeants, 76 patrolmen, two policewomen, nine clerks, one administrative assistant, one identification inspector, three police operators, one dog warden, one radio re- pairman (part-time), school crossing guards, and vehicle inspectors at the testing lane. Recruits for the police force are on a probationary period of one year. They must study first-aid methods, become licensed operators of department radio equipment, become proficient in the operation of firearms, and have a complete knowledge of the rules and regulations of the police department. Cost of Operation Total appropriation in 1954 for the Police Department was $605,419.00, of which $48,119 went for department maintenance, and the rest for salaries. $421,895.90 was raised by taxation; the rest came from licenses, dog taxes, and court fines. Pension Fund The Police Pension Fund, set by state law 45 years ago, provides security for policemen and their families. Money for the fund comes from a 5% deduc- 54 THS B E\^A?CTrON :~ 7 : r-rriations from Evcaj mam am die iocoe is e : e^f i.r {tfSOtfhehaskKl^: -r af Ai^ aad Ins : : i. : . . : - - ^ ? r-s. If aHl office : dK pension after be reaches e — :rf. Tf z.- rfffcer isinjtired ■ r 5 r : ■ - : e . re : e : e i v e ? a di s- . s 1 e ^ ^z -.z e line of dnty. :_.-e :»n dbe force. Member- f-er's baD are paid into AH pc: _ii :^-5 e tfa^y ed with rwo-way radio, a i:^ i:_:i- 11 solo ■OttKcycles, and six :n radio tcceiwiag sets. ;::e-ad courses of instructions in the use : : -Tses in general pcriiice procedure, first :t : --::i rire r? rime. fie Awanl ^I, viiicb is in use today, 'aas evolved Vhidi resolced in eight to ten traffic :^tes availaUe paindnien to places •--1 i - .:- !y spoc aap of accidents. :ie '■i:::r.al Safety Council's Traf- : -:: - 1 32, 1933, 1935, and 1945- 1949, 1951, and 1952, among cities in 5, foe its outstanding traffic en- -nxs dme to time, dbe original Evan- •ja 1929 is still in use. In 1952 ^:erv in all cities in die United ''ViflO to 100,000 population -_.- '-. to March 28, 1953, Evan- -: a fatalit>, uhicb set an all-time at ion group and larger. Evans ton Jnited States." ' Yards, so the Evanston Munic PROTECTION OF LIVES AND PROPERTY 35 ipal Testing Station was moved to Noyes and Green Bay Road, where it is housed in a steel, fireproof building and is used for the testing of automo- biles, trucks, and bicycles. This lane was opened to the public in January 1947. During 1954, 58,273 cars were inspected, of which number 42,249 were passed and 16,024 rejected. All passenger vehicles must be tested every six months. Early in 1948, 1,196 parking meters were installed and placed in opera-, tion. Since that time, this has been increased to about 2,100 parking meters. In the last five years the income from these meters has been used to acquire, improve, and maintain, in various parts of the city, the 24 off-street parking lots. The Traffic Division, the Bureau of Accident Prevention, and the Evanston Safety Council cooperate in conducting the elementary and high school safety_, programs, dealing with traffic and home safety problems. The School Safety Patrol (junior police), numberingabout 600 boys and girls, is organized by the various schools in cooperation with the Traffic Division and supervised by a sergeant of traffic. Adult crossing guards, paid by the city and under civil service, are placed at dangerous intersections. The Public Safety Educational Program carried on by the Bureau of Accident Prevention is financed by the Evanston Safety Council, a group of citizens who devote their time and efforts to helping produce Evanston's fine safety record. The Evanston Police Department pioneered in the use of chemical tests for alcohol. These tests determine the degree of intoxication for use in prose- cution of "Driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquors" cases. The use of chemical tests was started in 1938, and the drunkometer, which is the apparatus used, has helped the safety program immeasurably. Northwestern University Traffic Institute The Northwestern University Traffic Institute was established in 1935. It offers, in addition to short courses for various traffic officials, a nine month training program in traffic police administration. Enrollment is by competitive examination for 30 scholarships offered by the Kemper Insurance Company. Police officers from any part of the country may compete for these scholarships. They must be employed by a state or city which must give them leave of ab- sence and pay their salaries during the period of study. After finishing the course each policeman is required to return to the locality from which he came and work there for a year. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT The fire defenses of cities are graded by standards established by the Na- tional Board of Fire Underwriters on the basis of seven major factors: water supply (1,700 points or 34%), fire department (1,500 points or 30%), fire alarm (550 points or 11%), police (50 points or 1%), building laws (200 points or 4%), 36 THIS IS EVANSTON fire prevention (300 points or 6%), and structural conditions (700 points or 14%). From the above, cities and towns are graded in insurance classification from Class 1, the very best, to Class 10, the weakest protection. The city of Evanston has a Class 3 rating. No city in Illinois is in Class 2, but two other cities in our state are in Class 3. The Evanston Fire Department won first place in 1954 in the Cook County Fire Prevention Contest, sponsored by the Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry, and won the grand award for over-all excellence in fire preven- tion and public education in the same program in 1953. Jurisdiction and Duties The Evanston Fire Department has jurisdiction over the City of Evanston. There are now five stations: No. 1 - 909 Lake Street No. 2 - 702 Madison Street No. 3 - 1105 Central Street No. 4 - 1817 Washington Street No. 5 - 2830 Central Street The Fire Prevention Bureau, now made up of an Assistant Fire Marshal and two inspectors, conducts a continuous program of inspections throughout the city. The bureau is charged with the enforcement of local and state fire laws and the Evanston Bureau of Fire Prevention ordinance. The bureau also conducts training programs in fire prevention, first aid, fire extinguishment, and evacuation for the personnel of our hospitals, hotels, industrial plants, and department stores. In 1952 an almost continuous program of fire engine company inspection was started, covering all mercantile buildings and indus- trial plants. Fire drills are conducted in all schools. According to the code, 15 drills per year are required in elementary and intermediate schools and 6 drills per year in high schools. The Junior Fire Marshal program is operating in all grade schools, with almost 400 boys and girls participating. The Evanston Junior Fire Department (a fifth-grade fire prevention educa- tional program) was inaugurated in 1952 in two schools, with 90 children par- ticipating. The program grew rapidly; all of the grade schools were included in the 1955-56 school year, with some 1,100 pupils participating. In 1955 the total personnel of the department was 100. Included were 1 Chief Fire Marshal, 3 Assistant Fire Marshals, 6 Senior Captains, 8 Junior Captains, and 82 Privates. An Assistant Chief is in charge of the Bureau of Fire Prevention. The Fire Marshal is appointed by the City Manager, with the approval of the city coun- cil. All members, excluding the Fire Marshal, are under civil service. Promo- tions in the service are through civil service examinations. PROTECTION OF LIVES AND PROPERTY 37 The department has seven pumping engines, three aerial ladder trucks, one emergency squad, one high pressure squad, three cars, and 19,900 feet of fire hose. Firemen may retire at fifty years of age, after twenty years of service. Re- tirement funds are derived from taxes on fire insurance policies, returns on invested capital, deductions from firemen's salaries, a portion of license collections, and appropriations from the city's budget. CIVIL DEFENSE Newest addition to the facilities and organizations in Evanston for the pro- tection of lives and property is the Civil Defense Corps. Within the framework of suggestions by the Federal and State civil defense organizations, the or- ganization was revived in 1953. Forty locations, mostly in public buildings,-^ have been designated as air raid shelters. Five air-raid warning sirens have been installed, with one more planned to complete coverage of the city. An emergency landing strip, Eadie Field, was constructed on the west bank of the Sanitary District Canal on the border of Skokie, in conjunction v/itli the Civil Defense Corps of Skokie. Evanston's three hospitals are preparing work- ing plans for action in event of large-scale disaster. A Ground Observer Corps with volunteer skywatchers reports to the filter center in Chicago from an ob- servation post on the roof of Evanston Hospital. A rescue truck, complete with tools and a two-way radio, was purchased by the Civil Defense Corps and is maintained at Fire Station No. 1. The Civil Defense Corps, with an office in the Municipal Building, is pre- paring a disaster plan to be used in any catastrophe and hopes to enroll all citizens in some division of the program. / \ / \ \ VI. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN THE STATE The constitution of Illinois vests the judicial powers of the state in one Supreme Court, in Appellate, Circuit, County, Probate, Justice of the Peace and Police Magistrate Courts, and in such other courts as may be created by law in and for cities and incorporated towns. IN THE COUNTY There is in each county a County Court, which is a court of record and which has jurisdiction in the following matters: probate and appointment of guardians and conservators where there is no special Probate Court; insolvent debtors* proceedings and assignments for the benefit of ci'editors; care of the insane; aiid tax matters. The county judge also acts as Family Court judge in all counties except Cook. The County Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court in adoptions, appeals from justices of the peace, eminent domain, election contests for certain offices, drainage matters, civil cases where the amount involved does not exceed S2,000, non-indictable criminal cases where the punishment is not imprisonment in the penitentiary or death. IN THH CITY Any city or village of 15,000 or more may establish a Municipal Court on petition and referendum. (Evanston and Oak Park have done so.) These courts have a wide civil and criminal jurisdiction which includes action on contracts, actions for damages for injury to personal property or persons, all classes of common-law cases for the recovery of money, and certain quasi-criminal ac- tions and non-indictable criminal offenses in which punishment is by fine or imprisonment other than in the penitentiary. 38 ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE 39 Hence, there are a number of courts in which an Evanston resident might find himself bringing or defending an action. Courts differ widely in the kind of cases they have authority to hear and are scattered over a wide geographic area. Two types of courts are located within Evanston— the Municipal Court and the five Justice of the Peace Courts. An Evanston citizen elects judges and court personnel for seven different districts and ten different courts. See the Election Time Table on page 83. The Circuit and Supreme Courts, physically located within Chicago, are courts of equal jurisdiction and most matters may come before these courts. Because of the size of the Cook County circuit and for special historic rea- sons, there is a separate Criminal Court which handles most of the criminal cases arising in the county. Judges of this court are selected from among the elected Circuit and Superior Court judges. Similarly, most matters dealing with delinquent, dependent, and neglected children are handled by a special court, the Family Court, presided over by a judge selected from among the elected Circuit Court judges. Evanston children, if their cases reach the courts, are taken to the Family Court of Cook County. A branch of the Circuit Court and the first juvenile court in this country, it has original jurisdiction over dependent, delinquent, and neglected boys un- der 17 and girls under 18, with continuing responsibility until the age of 21. It has jurisdiction over children who have passed their tenth birthdays. The age of criminal responsibility in Illinois is 10 years, and at the decision of the state's attorney the child may be tried in the Criminal Court. In general, the County Court has special jurisdiction in matters pertaining to the insane, election contests, and tax matters. The County Court has con- current jurisdiction with the Circuit Court in some instances and may hear civil cases where the amount involved does not exceed $2,000. The Probate Court of Cook County handles matters relating to wills, es- tates, guardianship, and conservators. Evanston' s Municipal Court, now housed in the same building with the fire and police departments (1454 Elmwood Avenue), dates back to January 1933* It was established after a popular referendum pursuant to enabling legislation passed by the General Assembly in 1929. Until 1953, when Oak Park voted to have such a court, Evanston was the only Illinois city taking advantage of this permissive legislation. (Chicago s Municipal Court was created in 1906 after passage of the so-called Home Rule Amendment of 1904.) The jurisdic- tion of the Court extends to many kinds of civil matters, but not to matters relating to status, such as divorce, adoptions, etc. or matters covered by the Juvenile Court Act. Its criminal jurisdiction is limited to matters not requiring indictment by the grand jury and where the punishment is not imprisonment in the penitentiary or death, since these cases are handled bv the Criminal Court. Traffic cases account for a large share of the court's work. A breakdown of 40 THIS IS EVANSTON cases for 1953 shows 9,88" criminal and quasi-criminal cases, of which 5,328 were violations of city ordinances and 4,559 involved violation of state sta- tutes. The civil cases totaled 266. The two elected judges of the Municipal Court, who must now by law be trained lawyers, serve on a part-time basis and maintain private law practices or are called to sit in other courts of the county on a per diem basis. One of the judges is designated as Chief Justice and is charged with preparing the the court's budget to be submitted to the Cit\' Council. The salaries of the judges and of the clerk are determined also by the City Council. The court has a Chief Bailiff and two Deputy Bailiffs appointed by the Sheriff and paid by the countv. In practice^ however^ the Deputy Bailiffs are appointed by the individual judges, since by statute they have the power to remove them, although not to remove the Chief Bailiff. The Appropriations Ordinances for 1953 and 1954 included the following budgets for the Municipal Court: 1953 1954 2 judges S r.ooo 2 judges S 17,000 1 clerk -,000 1 clerk 7,000 3 deputy clerks 12,024 3 deputy clerks, 1 clerk-steno. 15,400 printing 1,000 printing 1,000 1 clerk-steno. 3,024 postage 100 postage 100 office supplies 300 office supplies 300 office equipment 200 office equipment 200 books 200 books 200 bailiff expenses including jurors 600 bailiff expenses 600 probation officer 800 including jurors expenses probation officer ( expenses 500 extra help 150 S 41,948 S 42,750 Although the Municipal Court's jurisdiction over subject matter is fairly broad, it is limited in its geographic jurisdiction; service of a summons must be on an Evanston resident or a person who is found here. The office of Police Magistrate as such does not exist in Evanston be- cause this officer has been replaced by the Municipal Court. (In most Illinois cities traffic violations and other violations of city ordinances are handled by this officer who receives his salary in the form of fees paid by the defen- dants before him.) ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE 4 1 The Justice of the Peace is a township official, provided for in the Illinois constitution of 1870. This office was not directly affected by the creation of a Municipal Court. The Justice of the Peace is known as a fee officer and is entirely compensated by fees charged in each individual case. He still has the authority to try traffic cases and other misdemeanors where the fine to be imposed is under $500, but in practice the arresting officers in Evanston use the Municipal Court almost exclusively. The five Justices of the Peace han- dle about 600 cases a year among them, exclusive of personal property tax de- linquencies. The latter average about 1,000 and are usually handled by one justice, being referred by the State's Attorney's office. A considerable portion of the business of some justices is performing marriage ceremonies. The Justice of the Peace need not be a lawyer, but in 1954 all five of the justices had such training. They may hear civil cases where the amount in- volved is under $500. The service of process of this court is county-wide and this fact, plus the fact that no formal written pleadings are necessary as is the case in the Municipal Court, may explain why so many more civil cases are brought before Justices of the Peace than before the Municipal Court. These judicial officers receive no salary but are compensated by fees assessed a- gainst the losing side in a case. These courts are not "courts of record," and when cases before them are appealed to a higher court in effect there is a new trial. Appeals from the Justice of the Peace court may be taken to the Municipal Court, the County Court, or the Circuit and Superior Courts. Ap- peals from the Municipal Court may be taken either to the Appellate Court or in some cases directly^^to the Illinois Supreme Court. In criminal cases no costs can be collected by a Justice of the Peace un- less a fine is imposed against the defendant. The fine goes into the public treasury, but costs go to the justice. In the Municipal Court both fine and costs go to the public treasury. No financial interest, therefore, attaches to a finding of guilty. JURISDICTION OF COURTS Illinois Supreme Court Territorial jurisdiction: state wide Original jurisdiction in cases relating to a. revenue b. mandamus c. habeus corpus Appellate jurisdiction in all other cases Appellate Court (Court of appeals) No original jurisdiction These four courts review cases appealed to them from lower courts 42 THIS IS EVANSTON In some cases decision is final. In others, appeal may be made to the Supreme Court. Circuit Court of Cook County (18 in number) Territorial jurisdiction of each court limited to its own district Courts of general jurisdiction and have authority to try all cases, both civil and criminal and to hear appeals from lower courts. The Family Court is a branch of the Circuit Court. Family Court Original jurisdiction over dependent, delinquent and neglected boys under seventeen and girls under eighteen with continuing responsibility until the age of twenty-one. Children over ten years may, however, be tried in the Criminal Court. Superior Court of Cook County (28 judges) Same jurisdiction as the Circuit Courts. Criminal Court of Cook County Jurisdiction over all criminal cases. County Court Jurisdiction over: 1. Insolvent debtor's proceedings 2. Care of the insane 3. Tax matters 4. Concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court in: a. adoptions b. appeals from Justices of the Peace c. eminent domain d. election contests for certain offices e. drainage matters f. civil cases where amount involved not more than $2,000 g. non-indictable criminal cases where the punishment is not imprisonment in the penitentiary or death. Probate Court Jurisdiction over probate matters, appointment of guardians and conservators. Municipal Court Jurisdiction, confined to geographical limits of Evanston, over: 1. Action contracts up to $2,000. 2. Action for conversion of or injury to personal property. 3. Action and proceedings of which the Justices of Peace have jurisdiction. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE 43 4. Non-indictable criminal offenses where punishment is not imrpisonment or death. Acts as examining court in case of felonies, holding defendant to grand jury. ( If indicted, trial is held in Criminal Court of Cook County.) No jurisdiction over dependent, neglected, or delinquent children. ( These go to Family Court, a branch of the Circuit.) Justices of the Peace Courts (5 in Evanston) Jurisdiction over: 1. Civil cases up to $500. 2. Criminal cases where fine does not exceed $500. 3. Preliminary examinations and committing accused persons to await action of grand jury Appeals may go to Municipal or County Court as the appealing party may desire, except in criminal cases. The latter go to the Criminal Court of Cook County. VII. PUBLIC WORKS Basic housekeeping services for the city are the responsibility of the De- partment of Public Works, located in the Municipal Building, Lake Street and Oak Avenue. Under its supervision are water supply, sewers, streets, street lighting, alleys, sidewalks, traffic engineering, and planning of public con- struction. The Director of Public Works heads the department. He is appointed by the City Manager. He also serves as city purchasing agent. The Park De- partment is a part of the Department of Public Works, but is discussed in the chapter on "Recreation in Evanston." STREETS AND ALLEYS Evanston covers an area of 8.2 square miles (5,250 acres) of which 26% is streets, laid out in grid-type pattern. Evanston has 135 miles of streets, 116 miles of which are paved, and 64 miles of alleys, of which about 16 miles are paved. Widening of existing paved streets is undertaken by the city; local im- provements, however, such as paving streets or alleys, sidewalks, installing sewers, or lighting must be initiated by and paid for by the property owners, with approval to the Board of Local Improvements and the County Court. Maintenance of streets and alleys is the responsibility of the department's street division. This includes: Collecting and disposing of garbage and rubbish Repairing and maintaining improved and unimproved streets and alleys Sweeping all improved streets and alleys Plowing snow from streets and from some sidewalks. Loading and hauling snow from business district Skid-proofing icy intersections with salt and cinders Maintaining and repairing bridges over Sanitary District canal within city limits Maintaining, repairing, and garaging all city-owned motor equipment except that of the Fire Department 44 PUBLIC WORKS 45 To perform these duties the department operates rubbish trucks, enclosed garbage trucks, dump trucks, mechanical sweepers, motor graders, front end loaders, several tractors, a snow loader, and other miscellaneous equipment. Street maintenance is financed by funds from the city vehicle tax, from a part of the city's share of the State Motor Fuel Tax, and from a portion of the 25% of the real estate and personal property taxes which the city receives. Part of the State Motor Fuel Tax funds alloted to the city may be used for maintenance^ but only on arterial streets approved by the state. To speed snow and dirt removal, an ordinance was approved in 1952 restric- ing nighttime parking. Between 2 and 6 A.M., cars may be parked on only one side of the streets, except where meters are installed or where other restric- tions are in effect. Parking is permitted on alternate sides on alternate nights; on die even-numbered side of the street on nights with even dates (counting from before midnight); on the odd-numbered side on nights with odd dates. Residential streets are swept 12 to 15 times a year, business districts six times a week with mechanical sweepers, with several hand sweepers also used in the business districts. Garbage is collected twice weekly in enclosed trucks. Rubbish is collected once in 10 days from alleys and once a week from parkways. Garbage and com- bustible rubbish collected is burned in the city incinerator. Rubbish is used as dry fill for the pit at Dodge Avenue and Oakton Street which is being converted into a playfield. (A portion of this area has been turned over to the School Board for Dawes School.) SIDEWALKS AND PARKWAYS Installations of new sidewalks is the responsibility of the property owner. On request, the city does patching of damaged walks and > when old walks must be replaced, the city will cooperate with the owner, paying half the cost. Grass on unkept parkways is mowed twice a year by the Parks Division, and weeds are controlled by spraying and mowing during the growing season. Re- moval of dangerous branches and dead trees on parkways is also the divi- sion's responsibility. STREET LIGHTS Evanston has a street lighting system of 5,018 units. Outages can be report- ed to Police or Public Works Department. Three are 200 power distribution cen- ters where lights are turned on 20 minutes after sunset and turned off 20 minutes before sunrise by astronomical clocks. Another power distribution center was added in 1952 with an electric eye for turning lights off and on. The street lightning system was installed in 1932 by special assessment at a cost of $1,100,000, and is now maintained under private contract. A survey^ of street lighting in 1953 showed Evanston's system operating efficiently at 46 THIS IS EVANSTON a very low cost per lamp and per 1,000 lumens. The cost in 1952 for mainte- nance and energy was $62,000. Seventy thousand dollars was recently expend- ed, over a four year period, for rehabilitating the lighting system. TRAFFIC Traffic volume in Evanston increased 60% between 1949 and 1954, causing some congestion on major through streets, increased use of residential streets for through traffic, and other problems. A full-time Traffic Engineer has charge of all the signs, signals, parking me- ters, and other physical aspects of traffic. He has seven full-time assistants to do sign work, paint lines in the streets, work on traffic signals, parking meters, etc. All requests, complaints, and references involving traffic engineer- ing are referred to hira> and his recommendations are considered by the City Council for action. An accident spot map and police accident record are used in all investigations. Traffic lights may be placed at intersections only with the consent of the State Highway Department, which makes its decisions on the basis of a 24- hour traffic count. Heavily travelled intersections may appear to need traffic lights at certain hours, but fail to qualify on the 24-hour basis. As a step toward easing the traffic flow into the main business district, the first change to one-way traffic on major streets was introduced in 1954, with Church and Davis streets being made one-way, eastbound and westbound re- spectively, between Asbury Avenue and Sheridan Road. PARKING Surveys show Evanston' s shopping trade area extends as far south as North Avenue in Chicago, as far west as Oak Park and Elgin, and as far north as Waukegan, with most of the shoppers coming by auto. Between 9 A.M. and 5 P.M. on average weekdays, over 12,000 cars park in the approximately 3,000 parking spaces in the Fountain Square area. Little over 1,200 cars are in private parking lots or garages. Over 60% of the downtown parking is done by non-Evanston residents. The City Council, Chamber of Commerce, and the Plan Commission collabo- rated in a study which resulted in the installation, in May 1948, of over 1,200 curb parking meters. The city also began an off-street parking program at that time, with 11 lots acquired prior to December 1951. In July 1952, the city is- sued $900,000 in revenue bonds; this money was used to purchase and improve property for three lots near the Fountain Square area. Revenue from parking meters and lots is expected to approximate $150,000 per year. This will retire the bonds as well as furnish funds for operating and maintaining the lots and meters and adding to the parking facilities. The Central Street and Main Street shopping areas also have off-street park-^ PUBLIC WORKS 47 ing facilities and metered street parking, providing 1,093 spaces. Northwestern University has lots for parking 1,260 cars. WATER SUPPLY The water department is divided into four divisions: pumping station, filtra- t ion plant, meter division, and water mains division. All are under the Superin- tendent of Water and Sewers, who in turn reports to the Director of Public Works. Each division has its own foreman, with approximately 40 persons em- ployed by the department. Evanston has an advantage in being located on Lake Michigan where only a minimum of treatment, pumping, and distribution is necessary to provide plenty of safe, clear water. The water works is located on Lincoln Street, between Sheridan Road and the Lake, and consists of a pumping station and filteration plant. It is owned and operated by the city, with funds obtained from metered sale of water. Skokie has a water contract with Evanston that runs to 1974. Capacity of the new waterworks completed in 1950 is 74 million gallons a day, sufficient to serve 150,000 people. Since Skokie almost doubled its population in two years, the works are already serving over 10,000. SEWER SYSTEM Sewage is carried to the sewage disposal plant at Howard Street and Mc- Cormick Boulevard. City sewers formerly discharged into Lake Michigan, but now only overflows of storm water flow into the lake. Eight employees handle the cleaning and repairing of sewers. Construction of local sewers is done by the city, with assessment against the improved properties. Some sewer exten- sions have been made by private contract on permit from the city and paid for by real estate developers. The Sanitary District of Chicago has constructed an intercepting sewer a- long Green Bay Road from Grant Street at the canal to Isabella Street and north through Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, and Glencoe. This sewer has provided some relief from storm sewer problems. WATER FRONT High lake levels have caused severe damage along Lake Michigan's shore- line, including Evanston' s lake front area. Retaining piers, walls, riprap, and sandfill are needed, according to the Public Works Department, to prevent further erosion of the shoreline. The maintenance of the city-owned water front area is the responsibility of the Public Works Department as far as funds are available for this purpose. The city recently employed the services of a con- sulting engineer to develop a beach improvement program for presentation to the voters. VIII. PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION Services to the general public owned and maintained by private corporations are known as Public Utilities. These include telephone service, gas and electricity, and transportation as provided by the elevated line, railroads, and bus companies. The Illinois Commerce Commission (a five-man board appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate) has complete jurisdiction over the rates and operations of all utilities within the state. The city council grants franchises for the public utilities to install, operate, and maintain their equip- ment within the city limits. The real estate and personal property taxes of such utilities as the Public Service Company, the Northern Illinois Gas Company, and the Illinois Bell Telephone Company make them among Evan- ston's largest taxpayers. ELECTRIC SERVICE Evanston's electric service is provided by the Public Service Company, a division of the Commonwealth Edison Company. The franchise granted by the city council gives the company exclusive rights to operate an electric light and power system in Evanston until 1963. All construction by the company in streets and alleys is installed under supervision of, and on permits granted by, the Director of Public Works, and the company pays a fee for each permit. Electricity for the municipal building, police and fire stations, and certain other public-works buildings is furnished by the company without charge to the city. Company offices at 911 Church Street are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 24-hour service to handle telephone requests for emergency service is main- tained. Services provided by the company include an appliance repair shop, a lamp exchange service, advisory service by lighting and power engineers, and 48 PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION 49 demonstrations in its auditorium for local organizations such as P.T.A. and and church groups, and special classes where boy and girl scouts may earn merit badges. GAS SERVICE Gas service in Evanston is provided by the Northern Illinois Gas Company. The company's Evanston district office is at 1743 Sherman Avenue. Natural gas, of slightly over 1,000 B.T.U. per cubic foot, is distributed to the customers of the company. The supply is received principally from Texas through three pipelines. In the last decade the gas service territory of which Evanston is a part has seen a record number of new homes go up. As a result, restrictions on the furnishing of gas for space heating, authorized by the Illinois Commerce Commission, were put into effect in July 1946. Under the restrictions, which are still in effect, connection of space-heating customers is authorized as additional supplies of natural gas are made available. During 1955, there were thousands of requests still on the waiting list. Further development of the new underground gas storage facilities at Herscher, Illinois, is expected to eventually solve this gas shortage and enable the company to serve two or three times the present number of customers. TELEPHONE SERVICE Subscribers to telephone service in Evanston are served by the Illinois Bell Telephone Company which operates under the terms of a franchise passed on February 5, 1924. Free telephone service for administrative needs of the city is furnished by the company as a franchise consideration. Within the city of Evanston are more than 26,730 main telephones. To these may be added the many extension telephones; over 41% of the residence customers have more than one phone. Subscribers with one- or two-party service can dial 1,832,400 telephones in Chicago and 35 suburban communities. Approximately 160,700 calls are handled daily by the Evanston telephone exchange, with 253 operators avail- able to handle long distance and emergency calls. Evanston has had telephone service since 1883, dial service since 1930, when the present building at 1520 Chicago Avenue was constructed. TAXICABS Evanston has l60 licensed taxicabs, with over 110 of them now equipped with two-way radio. All public passenger vehicles must be inspected each month by the municipal testing station and must operate with taximeters. Rates are established by the city council: 35 cents for the first half mile or THK IS EVANS Tr)N live cents ioc cack mddutoatm\ ouc- foui ifa aile or fraction ior cadi mmnt'^mA'imtt-hmii ot vaicing cube or fractioD for each additsottal passei^ier, ami a ububob charge of onlcrs. cake fares r> Oiicago bnc are ooc allowed to pick up cabs axe aoc petvit^xl to pick up riders in Evan- livetj cabs pa;* a licease ice of $60 a year to d>e city« THE ELENATED USE :e IS f-* a i i iilc«l fay die Chicago Transit y. The CTA is sepaaate aad apart £ron all federal, state, and local sdbfect oaly id tr e rrovisions of the Metropolitan Tcassit A a ihwiiy Act ■wler which if was rented in 1943. It is required by to be ffJatTinliy self-sastaiaug. Ii has no power to levy taxes. It serrice at actsal cost. The t miut m y of ihe Chicago Tcassic Aaiiiaricy octeads duov^iout the Chica^ "^ ""!*«»'■**■ area. ImmmLm serrice may be faniished by die Autbor- icj ma ho M ofataiaii^ feaachises bom the aawir ipalitie s vithin which it aperaces. k is capowcred a» fix all rates, fares, aad chaiges, said is speci- fically eiiay* bom amv service or rate regalatioo by the Iliixtois Commerce The eleraaed liae has srarinas ia Eranston at South Boulevard, Main, Ik apim, Davis, Foster, Noyes, Ceairal, aad ls2J>ella streets, and terminates To cat Bcawel liae, the CTA operates an express skip-scop service, from Evaarrna to the Loop, l i oa day Aroagh Satarday dariag die daylight hours. At o«her tiaes all local stops are Bade. This service is readily available to all Eiriaitnaiaai fay iriMiriirf k» aad bom ihe Evaastoa shattle at Howard served by die CTA Skolue bus line. iatrrsectioa ot Bcoox Avenue and Grove Howard Saeet rapid naastt teminal, where pass- liae. CliJC\GO AM) NORTH IBSTERS IL\1L¥AY AppRnLaaately 3,000 pertoar travel each business day bom the four North ia Evaastoa at Ceatral, Davis, Deapster, aad Main streets. 60 North Vestera iidwaliin aad diroa^ trains lo and froa Evaascoa daily, all ihmajh traias scoppiajg at ihe Davis Street station. The Baia liae is p»i»aiily oescrved ior passeager service. The railroad aiaiatiiar a separate liae for frei|^ »*■ ""g*' dK western liaits of Evanston. The U-sile trip b e t wcc a Chica^ aad Evaastoo takes bom 16 auoutes for PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION 51 express runs to 30 minutes for local trains having as many as 9 intermediate stops. Frequent runs for commuters are scheduled weekdays between 7 and 9 A.M. and 4:15 and 6 P.M., with other trains averaging about one hour apart. By 1954, about 50% of the railroad's entire suburban service had been dieselized. BUS TRANSPORTATION Evans ton Bus Company The Evanston Bus Company maintains 62 buses to provide local trans- portation on seven routes, carrying about 10,000,000 passengers a year. Bus companies operate under Certificates of Convenience and Necessity issued by the Illinois Commerce Commission. All buses operating in Evan- ston pay a $75 license fee per bus per year to the city. The Illinois Commerce Commission approves rates, routes, and condition of equipment. A group of residents, or city officials , may request consideration of new routes and extensions. If a survey by the bus company indicates this change is war- ranted, the company may petition the Illinois Commerce Commission for a permit on a trial basis. Special buses are routed through residential areas to the high school during the school year. Maps of routes in Evanston are available from the Evanston Bus Company. Rates presently are 15 cents per adult, with three tokens for 40 cents. High school students pay 10 cents; grade school students pay five cents. Children under five ride free if with an adult. Buses to Nearby Communities Buses connecting Evanston with nearby communities depart from Benson Avenue and Davis Street, near the Davis Street "L" station. American Coach Company provides connecting service to Lincolnwood, Skokie, Morton Grove, Golf, and Glenview, as well as transportation from Evanston to the Loop in Chicago. Glenview Bus Company provides bus service to U.S. Naval Air Station, Glenview, Wilmette, Glenview Countryside, and Northbrook. United Motor Coach Company provides service to Elgin, West Dundee, Bar- rington, Inverness, Deer Grove, Palatine, Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Cumberland, Des Plaines, Morton Grove, and Skokie. Buses to Airport Limousine service to Chicago Midway Airport is provided by Continental Air Transport Company from the Orrington Hotel, 1649 Orrington Avenue, and from the consolidated airlines ticket office at Orrington Avenue and Church Street. Buses leave the hotel every hour from 6:25 A.M. to 10:25 P.M. UNrVCRSnYOF ILLINOIS LIBRARY ar IIRBANA-CHAMPAIGN X. HEALTH IN EVANSTON The Departroem of Health, housed at 1806 Maple Avenue, adrninisters the official public health program of Evanston. It works closely with the private health agencies, coordinating their services with those of the Health Department. Evanston has a Board of Health composed of three persons: the city man- ager, the director of health, and a private physician - the latter two being appointed by the city manager and confirmed by the city council. A sur\-ev bv the American Public Health Association in 1946 reported Evan- ston's public health services to be better than average; the United States Public Health Service survey, made the same year, stated "The Evanston Health Department stands out among the official agencies for its excellent health program." The health Department's services include: Division of Health Education and Nutrition This division was established in 1945 for the purpose of coordinating and amplifying the health education objectives and activities of the Health Depart- and to cooperate with all other health agencies in promoting better health and extending health information services to the people of the coraraunity.lt plans and arranges health meetings and conferences, distributes great number of health pamphlets, and conducts regular health talks over radio stations. The nutritionist serves as a consultant in the field of nutrition to all tax support- ed and voluntary health agencies in Evanston, and works with teachers in the public and parochial schools in developing nutrition education programs for school children. Division of Public Health Nursing The major objectives of the nursing program are prevention and control of communicable disease. This is accomplished through visits to the homes, 52 HEALTH IN EVANSTON 53 school visits, office visits, and assistance in clinics. The nurses spend part of the day supervising the parochial health program, for which the Health De- partment staff is responsible. The Health Department's services include the supervision of nursing homes, and visits are made to the homes for this purpose by the nurses, the sanitar- ians, and the nutrition consultant. Communicable Disease Control Communicable disease control is the most important function of every health department. The Evanston Department of Health maintains immuniza- tion clinics and cooperates with the Infant Welfare Society and private physi- cians in immunization programs so that such diseases as diphtheria, whoop- ing cough, tetanus and smallpox are no longer threats in this community. Field visits of public health nurses to the homes of reported cases of com- municable disease provide community and individual education. Venereal Disease Control The role of the Health Department in venereal disease control is case-find- ing, and cooperation with hospital clinics in supplying necessary drugs and checking contacts of known cases. Tuberculosis Control Program The public health nurses on the Health Department staff take part in the tuberculosis control program in Evanston by making home visits, working at clinics and integrating the activities of the Suburban Cook County Tubercu- losis Sanitarium District, the public, the clinics, private physicians, and the State Health Department. All these agencies cooperate in a continuous case- finding program. Chest X-ray facilities are available without charge at the Health Department on the first Monday of each month. Upon application at the Health Department chest X-rays also can be arranged at any of Evanston 's hospitals without charge. Poisoning Control Program Each year, a number of infants and small children are taken to the hospi- tals in Evanston after having swallowed a poisonous substance. In coopera- tion with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Health Department has de- veloped a program in which the three hospitals in the community, provide med- ical care for all cases of accidental poisoning. A special report is prepared in the hospital emergency rooms and sent to the Health Department, listing the age, sex, and race of the poisoned child, the type of poison swallowed, and the treatment given. A Health Department nurse then makes a home visit 54 THIS IS EVANSTON to discuss the matter with the parents, makes survey of the home— particularly the medical cabinet in the bathroom— and tells parents how to keep dangerous drugs and other substances out of the reach of small children. Division of Laboratories The services of mis division can be divided roughly into two categories: laboratory tests for the diagnosis and control of communicable diseases, and laboratory examinations of dairy products, water samples, and utensils used in Evanston eating and drinking establishments. This division also serves as a distribution center for biological products furnished by the Illinois State Department of Health without cost of the patient or the physician. Another function of the laboratory is the keeping and processing of all dog— bite re- cords in Evanston as an aid to enforcement of the rabies control laws. Division of Foods and Dairies The staff of this division makes regular inspections of all food establish- ments that serve, manufacture, or sell foods in Evanston. This includes all restaurants, drug stores, schools, colleges, fraternities, sororities, hospitals, nursing homes, business concerns where food is served, hot dog stands, ice cream and food manufacturing plants, bakeries, groceries, aftd meat markets. Division of Housing and Sanitation This division carries out routine inspections of institutions for the care of children, the aged, and persons requiring nursing care. Hospitals are inspected in the company of a sanitary engineer from the State Health Department. The duties of inspection of swimming pools and bathing beaches have been trans- ferred to this division. Complaints concerning improper garbage disposal, noxious odors, unsanitary conditions, excessive dust, and rodent infestations are regularly investigated and corrected. Evanston Dental Caries Study The Evanston Health Department is continuing the dental caries study which was started in 1945 with the collaboration of the Zoller Memorial Den- tal Clinic of the University of Chicago, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the public and parochial schools of Evanston and Skokie. The purpose of the study is to determine under carefully supervised conditions the effects of artificial fluoridation of a municipal water supply on dental de- cay in children. Evanston began its program of adding fluorine to city water -in February, 1947. Thus far, after eight years, it seems apparent that artifi- cial fluoridation of public water supply results in a steady decrease in dental .caries in the permanent teeth of growing children. HEALTH IN EVANSTON 55 Cancer Control Program Tumor diagnostic clinics are held once each week at both Evanston and St. Francis hospitals under the auspices of the Evanston City Health Department and the State Health Department. Patients are referred to the clinics for spe- cial study and diagnosis by the medical staff appointed by the hospitals. Division of Vital Statistics This division records birth and death statistics. In 1954, Evanston's birth rate was 20.2 per 1,000 persons (U.S. rate, 25.2). The death rate was 8.8 per 1,000 in Evanston in 1954 (U.S. 9.2). School Health Services The two public school districts, 65 and 202, as well as the five parochial schools of Evanston, have an interrelated school health program, although separately administered. The parochial school program is directed entirely by the Evanston Department of Health. All schools are in daily contact with the Evanston Health Department for the purpose of epidemic control and general health administration. School health personnel hold regular meetings with the Health Department staff. Health services common to most of the schools include: medical and dental examination, vision and hearing testing, first aid, weighing, attendance checks for health reasons, conferences with teachers on individual problems, and occasional home visits. VOLUNTARY HEALTH SERVICES The Visiting Nurse Association This group is concerned with giving general bedside nursing care. Care is available to all the sick in their homes on a part-time visit basis, but must be under the direction of a physician or clinic. There is a charge for service on the basis of cost per visit, adjusted to the patient's ability to pay. Activities include maternity and orthopedic service, nursing in communica- ble and non-communicable disease cases, and care of the aged. The Visiting Nurse activities also include health supervision of infants up to three weeks of age, nursery school inspections and first aid, classes for expectant mothers and fathers, and clinics at the Evanston Hospital out-patient department. A loan and gift service for patients is maintained by the Visiting Nurse Association supplying everything from wheel chairs to dressings, most of which are contributed by volunteers from churches, clubs, and other agencies. 56 THIS IS EVANSTON Infant Welfare Society of Evanston, Inc. For 34 years Evanston has had the services of an infant and pre-school child health program. For 20 of these years this has been provided by the Infant Welfare Society of Evanston, Inc. Families whose income does not allow for the services of a private physician for health supervision of the children in in this age group are accepted for medical and nursing care. During 1954 health conferences were conducted at four welfare stations located in the Nichols, Washington, Foster, and Noyes schools. Physical examinations were given by pediatricians, who observed each child's growth and development, interpreted findings to the parent, made recommendations on conditions found, prescribed feedings, and assisted parents in developing a better understand- ing of the child's needs. The orginal purpose — to reduce infant mortality — has been one of the most outstanding achievements of medical science and public health. Infant Welfare nurses make weekly visits to the nursery schools in Evanston, inspect the children, make recommendations to parents for the children's health needs, and assist the directors in maintaining a good health program. North Shore Association for the Crippled Primarily this organization is a clearing house to coordinate the benefits given to the crippled child and adult by the Crippled Children's Room at Ha- ven School, by the Evanston Hospital, and by the Visiting Nurse Association. It cooperates with the school boards in supporting the physical therapy work in the orthopedic room at Haven School. It also supports a handwork instructor who visits shut-ins. Part of the agency's budget is speint for lunches and special transportation for children unable to afford these, and to supply braces and equipment to those unable to buy them. Two carriers are paid to take home-bound cripples to a social hour once a week. HOSPITALS Evanston has three private hospitals: Evanston Hospital at 2650 Ridge Avenue, St. Francis Hospital at 355 Ridge Avenue, and Community Hospital at 2040 Brown Avenue. Evanston Hospital This is a general hospital with medical, surgical, obstetrical, and pediatric departments, a contagious ward, a ward for nervous and mental disorders, and a school of nursing. It is affiliated with Northwestern University, and has a present capacity of 325 beds and 50 bassinets. The out-patient department offers clinic services to non-paying and part- HEALTH IN EVANSTON 5 7 paying patients in 32 clinics, tmphasis is on preventive medicine as well as curative measures. The hospital maintains a tumor diagnostic clinic which is supported by the state. Evanston Hospital cares for more polio patients than any other voluntary hospital in the Chicago metropolitan area. The social service department endeavors to help the patient and his family solve some of the social and emotional problems which interfere with his recovery or his adjustment to his illness. One of Evanston Hospital's newest clinics, established to round out the hospital's program for juvenile care, is the child guidance clinic. Recognizing that illnesses of the personality may be just as serious as illnesses of the body and that the two often appear together, the clinic has been set up to dis- cover the causes behind personality difficulties and, whenever possible, to correct them. St. Francis Hospital This is a Catholi-c hospital under the administration of the Sisters of St. Francis. It is a private hospital with 383 beds and 60 bassinets, with medi- cal, surgical, obstetrical, pediatric, and orthopedic departments. It also has a school of nursing, which has a course affiliation with Loyola University. St. Francis has an out-patient department, and it maintains a tumor diagnos- tic department, which is operated jointly with the city Health Department. This hospital also provides space and medical supervision for a clinic for crippled children held every second month under the auspices of the State Division of Services for Crippled Children and the Evanston Department of Health. Community Hospital This is an interracial, general hospital. Founded in 1930, its new hospital building was completed in 1952. It has an attending medical staff of 10 mem- bers, a consulting staff of 19, and a courtesy staff of 55. As of January 1955, it had 54 beds — 38 medical and surgical, 10 maternity, and 6 pediatric, and a nursery with 12 bassinets. k^^ X. EDUCATION, PRESS, AND RADIO NURSERY SCHOOLS There are 25 schools in Evanston exclusively for the pre- kindergarten age child. Two of the 25 are supported by the United Fund; they are the Child Care Center, 1524 Simpson Street, and the Evanston Day Nursery, L835 Grant Street. Only children of working mothers are cared for in these two nurseries. EVANSTON 'S TV/0 SCHOOL DISTRICTS The elementary schools in Evanston make up Community Consolidated Dis- trict 65. The high school is designated as District 202. A part of Skokie known as the College Hill neighborhood is also included in these two school districts. See the map of public school attendance boundaries on page 62. SELECTING SCHOOL BOARDS School boards are elected by the voters at special elections held the second Saturday in April. Size of the board is specified by state law; the elementary and high school boards each have seven members. State law says little about the procedure for nominating candidates for school boards. The Evanston school caucus grew out of the need for a respon- sible method for selecting candidates. The caucus has no legal status. It simply endorses candidates for election. Organizations or persons dissatisfied with die caucus selections may place their candidate's name on the ballot by getting at least 50 signatures to a petition and presenting it to the secretary of the school board 21 days before the April election. Voters may also write in the names of other candidates at the time of the election. Candidates endorsed by the caucus usually have wide public support since they have been carefully selected by a group of citizens interested in maintaining good schools. See the map of school voting precinct boundaries on page 6A. 58 FDUCATION, PRESS, AND RADIO 59 E^.EMENTARY SCHOOLS As of October 1955, there were 15 elementary school buildings in Evan- ston with a total enrollment of 7,246. The enrollments were: Central School College Hin School Dawes School Dewey School Foster School *Haven School Upper 737 Haven School Lower 319 Lincoln School Lincolnwood School Miller School *Nichols School Noyes School Oakton School Orrington School Washington School Willard School * Junior high school 225 634 398 389 649 416 532 325 754 282 578 287 311 391 Kindergarten through Grade 6 M >l " 6 it t> " 6 1* >» " 6 >> it " 6 Grades 7 and 8 Kindergarten through Grade 6 >> i> " 6 >> t» " 6 »* t* " 6 Grades 7 and 8 Kindergarten through Grade 6 it »> " 5 »i »» " 6 »> »* " 6 »» »» " 6 Money has been voted for the construction of two new school buildings: a junior high school on McDaniel Avenue between Lake and Greenwood streets and a grade school in the College Hill area. SPECIAL SERVICES FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL CHILD Specialized classes for handicapped children are located at several of the public schools. Included are classes for children with visual difficulties, the deaf, the hard-of-hearing, physically and mentally handicapped children, and those requiring speech correction and counseling services. In 1954, 109 children were enrolled. PARK SCHOOL Included in the school program of District 65 is a new unit, the Park School, designed to serve retarded trainable children. This is a program partly financed by the State of Illinois and partly by the local school district. The unit serves approximately 20 children from Evanston and communities surrounding the city, and is staffed by specially trained teachers. 60 THIS IS EVANSTON SHORE SCHOOL The Shore School, sponsored and financed by the North Shore Association for Retarded Children, has a five-days-a-week program of classes for trainable mentally handicapped children. THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM Classroom sizes range about 25 to 26 children each, exclusive of special classes. Emphasis is placed on the child and on his over-all development. Social studies play an important part in the child's school life and he is made well aware of \*diat is happening in the world about him. The curriculum is varied and adaptable. Revisions and modifications are taking place con- stantly. Group and creative activities play a large role -art, music, creative dramatics, and shop being offered. Five periods per week of physical educa- tion is required by state law. A summer school program provides children opportunities for work in language arts, dramatics, music, crafts, and fine arts. Coaching classes in academic subjects are also offered. Teacher Requirements In accordance with the School Code for Illinois, Article 21, all teachers must hold an Illinois Teacher's Certificate. The teachers' salary program matches that of comparable communities throughout the country. This program calls for advanced training at regular intervals depending upon the individual's background of training. The Boards of Education of District 65 and District 202 (Evanston Town- ship High School) meet in joint sessions to discuss their mutual problems and the development of a common educational philosophy for the junior high program. These two school districts also plan to continue cooperation in such matters as reports to parents, curriculum evaluation, and other subjetts affecting the general welfare of pupils and teachers. Parent- Teacher Relationships Each school has an active parent-teacher association that works to bring home and school closer together. All the elementary school P.T.A.'s together with the High School unit make up the Parent-Teacher Council of Evanston, which serves to consolidate the efforts of the individual associations on projects affecting the whole community. It also keeps its P.T.A.'s informed about the current programs of the state and national Congress of Parents and Teachers. EDUCATION, PRESS, AND RADIO 61 INCREASE IN PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT The building of many additional homes in Evanston, and the rise in the birth rate (from 16.6 in 1944 to 20.8 in 1954), resulted in the following enroll- ment gains in the elementary schools: 1949 5,779 pupils 1951 6,048 pupils 1953 6,539 pupils 1950 5,804 " 1952 6,260 " 1954 6,995 " Projecting these figures, the elementary schools anticipate the following future enrollments: 1955 7,447 pupils 1957 7,910 pupils 1959 8,619 pupils 1956 7,679 " 1958 8,265 " PAROCHIAL AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS Evanston has five parochial elementary schools -- one Lutheran, Bethlehem Lutheran School; and four Catholic, Ascension School, St. Athanasius School, St. Mary's School^ and St. Nicholas School. There are two Catholic high schools — St. George High School for boys, and Marywood High School for girls. The Children's School of National College of Education starts with a nursery school and goes through the eighth grade. Roycemore School is a private school for girls. It starts with a nursery school and includes high school. Boys are enrolled in nursery school, kinder- garten, and first grade. EVANSTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL Evanston Township High School holds a top ranking position among sec- ondary schools because of the excellence of its educational program and services, the high quality of its professional staff> the adequacy of its physical facilities, and the achievement and success of its student body. The student body numbers more than 2,500 and is divided into home rooms, each room having its own student organization and programs. More than 75% of some 19,000 graduates have entered at least 300 different colleges. Evan- ston High School graduates are on a "preferred list" for college entrance; as candidates for the College Board examinations they have made a notable record; and many more than the usual number of scholarships are available to them. The faculty of the high school numbers 137 full-time and 7 part-time in- structors aiKl 4 librarians. Faculty members represent more than a hundred different colleges and universities, and all but a few have advanced pro- fessional degrees. The maximum salary for teachers with 15 years of suc- cessful classroom teaching is $6,500. Additional increments are available 62 THIS IS EVANSTON NATIONAL COUEOE I OF EDUCATION 3 i QBBDDQD OCDuDDC ^ ,|)rtib(le ClyLii^fls COLLCGE HILL GARRETT BIBLICAL INSTITUTE EVAK5TOK SCHOOLS BoutiiCaries of puBIic school attenxiotice distt^icts i^ PAvate Sc^ois Colleges D EDUCATION, PRESS, AND RADIO 63 to teachers on the basis of the sixth year of professional training and recogni- tion as a superior classroom teacher. High School Parent-Teacher Association Active in many fields, the P.T.A. continues to contribute effectively to the high school program. It supports such projects as spring vacation tours, conferences on jobs and careers, student participation programs such as the Christmas and spring music festivals, and in recent years has brought a lecture series introducing famous speakers to the total student body. High School Lay Advisory Council This is a group formed in 1951 to effect greater participation of parents in the educational program. Aided by three faculty members and administrative officials, its 33 carefully chosen parent representatives seek to prevent and help to solve problems concerning adolescent youth. Issues discussed at the council's monthly meetings have been the counseling system at the high school, marking standards, finance and budgeting problems, and selec- tion of textbooks. Through many special publications, the council has shared its findings with other parents and with the community. Educational Planning Committee The Educational Planning Committee is composed of lay people, faculty members, and representatives of District 65 and of the ad ministration. It surveys the tbtal school program in the light of present and future needs of the high school and makes long-range, thoughtful recommendations to the administration. The committee itself works on long-range policies; 5 to 10 sub-committees, composed largely of volunteer faculty members, function under it for the purpose of studying in detail more specific problems. The Educational Planning Committee is unusual in school history in that it is a body where classroom teachers and lay members of the comjnunity share with the administration the duty and privilege of over-all planning for the education of youth. Citizenship Education Committee The Citizenship Education Committee is a sub-committee of the Educa- tional Planning Committee and is made up of representatives of civic organi- zations and of faculty members. Among its accomplishments are the institu- tion of experience trips to local businesses, industries, and government agencies by civics students; the planning of school elections modeled on state and national elections; and the improvement of some other aspects of student government. For its carrying out of this program, the high school won a major award of the Freedoms Foundation. 64 THIS IS EVANSTON SCHOOL V0TIN6 PRECINCT BOUNDARIES Schools ttsed cLS polliuvi places EDUCATION, PRESS, AND RADIO 65 Adult Education The Evening School, a steadily expanding program of adult education, makes its home at the high school. Since 1943, annual attendance by citizens of Evanston and neighboring areas has zoomed from 185 to over 1,600. In a curriculum dictated by the demands of the community, close to 100 sections meet yearly. A staff of 55 teaches subjects ranging from conversational French, German, and Spanish through speed reading, typewriting, interior decorating, copper enameling, and psychology for daily living. The school is run on a fee basis with fall, winter, and spring terms. NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY AND EVANSTON Northwestern University has set a pattern for the city of Evanston by establishing its religious, cultural, and educational atmosphere. It makes available to Evanstonians lectures, music, theater, and recreation. Northwestern University was founded on January 28, 1851, when an Act of Incorporation was passed, organizing "The Trustees of the North Western University." The first university building was erected in 1855, and the first classes were held in the fall of that year. When the university first opened its doors, it had but one department, the College of Liberal Arts. As educational demands increased year by year, more departments and schools were added. In historical order the schools (in Evanston, unless otherwise indicated) which were added are the Medical School, 1859; the School of Law, 1859 (both on the Chicago campus); the School of Speech, 1878; the Dental School, 1891 (Chicago); the School of Music, 1895; the School of Commerce, 1908; the Graduate School, 1910; the School of Journalism, 1921; the School of Education, 1926; and the Techno- logical Institute, 1939. Since 1920, Northwestern's enrollment has increased from 4,700 full-time and 2,800 part-time students to more than 8,300 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, including 194 students from 41 foreign countries. The faculty has increased from 370 to 1,647 members. Its library has grown from 198,000 to more than a million volumes. Its educational plant, valued at $2,500,000 in 1920, today is worth more than $37,000,000; total assets have increased from $11,000,000 to $120,000,000. In Evanston alone, the University employs a staff of 410 office workers and 255 maintenance workers. A turning point in the University's history was the establishment in 1920 of its Chicago campus. This campus, located only half a mile from Chicago's Loop, provides facilities for evening classes and for professional study in law, medicine, and dentistry. Northwestern, then, is composed of two cam- puses - the traditional one in Evanston, and the " sky-scraper university" 66 THIS IS EVANSTON with buildings 20 stories high overlooking Lake Shore Drive and downtown Chicago. Traditionally an undergraduate school, Northwestern in the past 30 years has experienced rapid growth in graduate study and research. For example, the number of doctorate degrees has increased from two in 1921 to 147 in 1955. GARRETT BIBLICAL INSTITUTE Although located on the campus of Northwestern University, Garrett Biblical Institute is an independent institution with its own buildings, endowment, faculty, and trustees. It is a graduate school, and is one of the ten Methodist seminaries in the United States. The faculty, counted by the school to be its greatest asset, numbers 23 regular teachers and three visiting professors. Its education property is valued at $1,750,000. This includes the administration building, the new chapel-library addition, Howes Memorial Chapel (with its chapel garden), and five dormitories. The library, with over 180,000 volumes, ranks among the ten best of its kind. Garrett's endowment property totals $3,500,000. The relationship between Garrett and Northwestern has been close through- out the years. Garrett gives the Bachelor of Divinity degree and, in coopera- ation with Northwestern University, it awards the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of ,\rts degrees. The graduates of Garrett serve largely as parish ministers in city and rural areas, but also as teachers, directors of Christian education, and mission- aries. Over 2,400 of them are active wherever the Protestant church is work- ing in the world today. SEABURY-WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Seabury-Western Theological Seminary at 600 Haven Street is a graduate school preparing men for the ministry of the Episcopal Church. Its purpose has been to "represent the whole Episcopal Church." Its trustees are drawn from widely divergent sections of the country, but particu- larly from bishops, clergy, and laity of the Middle West and Northwest. Its curriculum furnishes a balanced and well-rounded preparation for the ministry. It is a pioneer in training men for the rural field. The resident faculty num- bers ten. The student body, approximately 90 at the present time, comes from all over the United States. There are also foreign guest-students. Its Tudor Gothic stone buildings won the Architectural Prize in 1930; the chapel windows executed by The Connick Associates of Boston are among the most famous in the country; and the Laurence Armour Memorial Carillon of 35 bells is a pleasant feature of the university area. EDUCATION, PRESS, AND RADIO 67 KENDALL COLLEGE Kendall College at 2408 Orrington Avenue is a Methodist-related liberal arts junior college organized on a study-work basis and a pay-as-you-go plan to make available to deserving students a college education irrespective of financial limitations. The student body numbered 148 in 1955. Tlie faculty comprised 10 full-time staff members and 13 part-time teachers. The college was founded in 1934 as the result of the united efforts of the Swedish and the Norwegian-Danish Methodist Theological seminaries. Its curriculum comprises the first two years of the standard four-year liberal arts college. From 60% to 80% of Kendall College graduates continue their educa- tion in senior colleges and universities. In addition^ the college offers a special curriculum leading to the certificate of Church Assistant which qualifies a student for semi-professional full-time work on church staffs. Approximately 90% of the students earn all or part of their expenses. This is possible because all classes are scheduled in the morning, leaving the afternoons and week ends free for employment. A well-organized employment service is maintained by the college to assist in this area. NATIONAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Located at 2840 Sheridan Road is the National College of Education. This co-educational college, granting the degrees of Bachelor of Education and Master of Education, was founded in Chicago in 1886 and has been on the present site since 1926. The college attracts students from all parts of the world. Through liberal arts and professional courses the college gives distinctive preparation for teachers of pre-school and elementary grades. The student body numbers 550 with a faculty and administrative staff of 70. The school is accredited by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The college operates a Children's School for 250 tuition pupils. This school is taught by master teachers of the college staff and offers demonstration and training for the students of the college. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY The Evanston Public Library, organized in 1873 with 933 volumes, now offers the community modern library service from a complete collection of about 180,000 volumes. The library's services are available through the main building at Church Street and Orrington Avenue, and a north branch at 2026 Central Street, a south branch at 949 Chicago Avenue, and a traveling branch. A library card is available free to all Evani>ton residents and to those who are employed in Evanston. Non-residents may secure cards for a nominal annual fee. 68 THIS IS EVANSTON In addition to its books, there are 1,200 albums of phonograph records, LP and 78's, available for free loan to card-holders. The library also has over 200 l6mm sound films available for loan at a very small charge, and will help locate and secure, with sufficient notice, films on any subject desired by local individuals and groups. The main library is open Monday through Friday from 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. and Saturday, 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. The south branch is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 1:30 to 9 P.M. and on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 1:30 to 6 P.M. The north branch is open Monday from I to 9 P.M.; Tuesday, 1 to 6 P.M.; Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.; and Friday, 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. EVANSTON ART CENTER The Evanston Art Center at 800 Greenwood Street is a civic, non-profit organization, operated largely by volunteer service and financed by member- ship dues, contributions, and memorial funds. Its purpose is to further cultural and creative interests in the field of art. It is open, free, to the public Tues- day through Saturday from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. and on Sunday for special events. It offers continuous exhibitions, lectxires, and demonstrations. Classes in painting, clay modeling, weaving, design, and lithography are available to be- ginners and advanced students. Membership is open to all who are interested. THE EVANSTON REVIEW The first number of The Evanston Review was issued June 4, 1925. Then, as now, it was a weekly newsmagazine, and its format has remained virtually the same through the 30 years of its existence. The distinguishing features include the cover, picturing an Evanston event, scene, or institution; the editorial page, with a geust editorial, on the first type page; and immediately following that, three full pages of news. The remainder of the magazine is given over to advertising and news. TTie average size is about 100 pages. The Review was founded by Edward R. Ladd and Walter S. Lovelace, who continue as publisher and editor. The purpose from the beginning has been to give Evanston a news and advertising medium which will reach practically every home. Initially The Review began a policy of free distribution. In August 1943, however, the present carrier subscription system was instituted, and 150 carrier boys are now employed. The Review endeavors to record every Evanston birth, wedding, and death and to record the important activities of all organizations. Because it is a home publication, it refrains from printing scandalous news, and plays down accounts of crime and violence except when the public interest makes it advisable to give them emphasis. It carries no liquor, cigarette, or patent medicine advertisements. It tries, through its editorial and news columns, EDUCATION, PRESS, AND RADIO 69 to support every movement or undertaking which it believes will improve Evanston. The Review has won 20 awards in national n ewspaper contests for general excellence, excellence in typography and make-up, feature stories, and best use of photographs and illustrative material. For its coverage of religious news, particularly the Second Assembly of the World Council of Churches, which was held in Evanston in 1954, it received the Distinguished Service Award of the Church Federation of Greater Chicago and the Award of Merit of the National Religious Publicity Council. RADIO STATIONS WNMP, 1,000 watt daytime AM radio station has its own studio and trans- mitter located at 2201 Oakton Street. Owned and managed by Angus Pfaff, it is a regional station at 1590 kilocycles. Local news items from persons and organization are reported. (WNMP has been assigned a construction permit by the Federal Communications Commission to build a television station using channel 32.) WEAW operates both an AM. station WEAW-AM, 500 watt daytime, and FM station WEAW-FM, 36,000 watts full time. The studio and transmitter , in- cluding three towers, are located at 2425 Main Street. President and manager is Edward A. Wheeler. WEAW-AM covers northern Illinois and operates at 1330 kilocycles. WEAW-FM is one of the most powerful FM stations in the Midwest and is at 105 on the FM band. WEAW is the Chicago area outlet for Good Music Broadcasters, a group of stations with similar programming from coast to coast. Sustaining time is made available by WEAW for programs and announcements by North Shore educational institutions and social and charita- ble agencies. WNUR, the Northwestern University radio station, operates at 89.3 on the FM dial and is on the air on an irregular schedule during the school year. Many of its broadcasts are related to university activities. I^^M XI. RECREATION IN EVANSTON / I I RecFta.iiOD IS tbe res^xmsibilm- of toe cirys Playground and Recreation ai Ate pabiic schools, bodi elementary ^rkr\ secoodary, and of six ■?s; ibe Boy Scoots, Girl Sc^-r?. ~r Y - . C-A. the Y.^.C.A., CoBHafoiuty _._;5. 2^:. izc Camp Fire Girls s of these crgaaizaxioBS, boch Tomnteer and professional, V :<- 1. ^ : j^ aogedKr as tmIici i of ihe Gtoap i ork and Recreation Commic- c Evaascoa «.^a.. far its ->. er also asi . acTjTities talce tJac?' od Paffks aci- Coc e, will be 1 a. a city-wide year-round rrs are ai Eiden Field- s, including a soperin- and over 1 00 part- > all city-owned parks districts, and in ^^bools. Indoor . _. -^r- Leahy and i s. *. • ■ cTeatioo cen- ■.■---■ .::c. 9'3 tnp% to muscumm amd mmjor -eagvie and Poajr Leapae base- 70 RECREATION IN EVANSTON 71 ballj children's Halloween and Christmas programS) a Sunshine Club for shut- ins, a drop-in center for Evanston's Senior Citizens, tennis, golf, badminton, and an eight-week summer day camp program held in a nearby forest preserve make up in part the department's program. The department supervises Evans- ton beaches during the eleven -or twelve - week "season" each summer, main- tains the life guards, and teaches beginning swimming to children 8-12 years of age. In spite of sand erosion and Lake Michigan's high water, all five of Evanston's beaches have had increasing attendance the past three years. The Evanston elementary schools (School District 65) conduct after-school recreation programs, consisting mainly of athletic programs under the super- vision of the physical education instructors, with arts, crafts and social danc- ing also included. Evanston Township High School (School District 202) maintains a broad physical education program including boys' and girls' athletics and informal recreational activities. Each educational department — languages, music, science, etc. — has clubs open to interested students. There are, in addition, large social clubs open to all students, two for girls and one for boys. In the fall of 1954 the citizens of Evanston voted an appropriation for a high school swimming pool, construction of which is scheduled for the immediate future. The national youth-serving agencies, the Boy and Girl Scouts, the Young Men's and Young Women's Christian associations, are active in Evanston. The North Shore district of the Chicago Area Council of Camp Fire Girls has main- tained a program in Evanston since 1947, and the Evanston -Northwestern Community Clubs, a local organization for school - age boys and girls, has been in existence over 16 years. The Evanston Council, Boy Scouts of America, has 22 cub packs, 22 scout troops, and six explorer units with a total membership of 2,120 boys and 797 adults. Most units are sponsored by churches or P.T.A. groups. Two camps are operated by the Council: Camp Wabaningo, near Whitehall, Michigan, a 350-acre summer camp which accommodates 224 scouts at one time, and Camp Evan-Bo-Sco, a year-'--»und troop camp for week-end camping near Barrington, Illinois. The Evanston Girl Scouts serve 1,732 girls in 55 brownie, 55 intermediate, and four senior troops. Camp Windego at Wild Rose, Wisconsin, the Evanston Council's established camp, has been filled to capacity each of its seven years of existence. Almost 600 girls enjoyed an overnight or week-end camp- ing trip to the troop camp, Hawthorne Hill, near Cary, Illinois, in 1954. Day camp is held in Glenview Memorial Woods. The Y.M.C.A. of Evanston operates in two buildings: the Central branch at 1000 Grove Street, and the Emerson Street branch for Negroes at 1014 Emer- son Street. Total membership exceeds 5,000. Both buildings maintain residence rooms for young men and have facilities 72 Trl^ ^ E\ A?BTOil aad food serrice. s of dbe ET»BS!rrr; Y-M-C-A. is dtsirre- r:^ of eipay ■e=r>er ^odlT - r.;. _:.: - aad gids. This pnag^aa if Iwir t : ' : j^ z i - : iziamn dahwoi: - ■d 1 1— ii Iw^ The iMngjiBM for be 5 ^1 > r r > .< -^ 1 club -Gca-Y, Hi-Y, Tci-tii-*. Tfcere 2_r -^15 -.rs frr . .:.■_. ; . . C-A. has :. ^ -- - -: - ;- -Dcd ia Ae:: - t 7 < . s e s 5 . : '. 5 i-r : rem- ove anx, < ' ■ ^ aes, rwiinw ::i:-. a«d c. :-- s - .:."-- .-.ti: ._;::-: ; of dbe CaHf» f l.: t . s Assoaadoa is km Chicaga. ETaBscc- ^ :■ CoaHHHitjr Oabs, for fbe past 11 years, have ^r-anal SckDol aad at ▼arioas dflKS hare asedflK ^xi^ici^sayaad dbe First Bspast d—chi s , rlav^r'^vrvls (dbools, aad Lariaer PaHr. Ei^t kaadred dbiUrea Lcf cca dbe a^s of : - =r ^ *, aad (3> u> Kpetieaces aad iatsiractioa io dbe stadeats bom JNortfa- tkruersitj alK> serve as co— jcIqij. TW CoaHMMttf Cbibs are iacea- located ia a part of Evaastoa vludb was Anaa hj a citjr sorrey to be rly I Mf pli e d witb play space, amd ia wkidb odber ageacies for cfaild- RECREATION IN EVANSTON 73 ren enrolled very few members. In 1954, three-fourths of the children attracted to the Clubs were members of no other group. The children's Theatre, sponsored by the Board of Education of District 65, by the P.T.A.'s, and by Northwestern University's School of Speech, produces two series of plays each year for children of Evanston and the surrounding areas. One series, for the three- to seven-year-olds is put on at Nichols School. The other, for children eight to fourteen, is put on at Haven School. Both present three plays a year with the aim of attaining a high standard of enter- tainment, rather than providing opportunity for children to act. The Evanston Civic Orchestra was organized in 1946 and has a membership of around 100 from the Evanston area. It presents three concerts annually. The North Evanston Fourth of July Association since 1922 has been a part of the Evanston recreation picture. Organized to promote a "safe and sane" Fourth, :he Association sets up such activities as playground competition, tennis tournaments, outdoor dancing, and a parade in which individuals, organ- ization, business houses and neighborhood groups participate. The day ends with a daylight show and after-dark fireworks display at Dyche Stadium. Evanstonians have many lectures, concerts, and plays offered them by Northwestern University, as well as special series sponsored by local organi- zations, service clubs, churches, and by the Commuqity Concert Association. There are four motion picture theaters, two bowling alleys, and one public, daily-fee golf course in Evanston. J^wn^ SOCIAL WELFARE E^anstim has -ar. agencies, botii private and public, dealing with social welfare problems. Most local welfare efforts are coordinated by the Evanston Welfare Council. EVANSTON TELFAKE COL-NCIL The council - formerly called the Council of SodaJ Agencies - has 53 mem- ber agencies. Each member agency may appoint two delegates and two alter- nates to the council. Delegates-at-large may be electeti to the \^elfare Council Board of Directors from among outstanding citizens interested in welfare work. The purpo:»e of the council is to provide an avenue for understanding be- tween public and private agencies whose fields of work touch, to stimulate co- operation, and to reduce duplication. The council seeks to discover and then fill new or unmet needs of the city and to inform the public of the work of the social agencies. The council has a Board of Directors numbering 25 consisting of: fa) the five officers of the council; (b) the chairman of the three planning committees (health, group work and recreation, and family-child welfare;; (c) 14 directors- at-large, including three individuals respectively associated with one agency from each of the three fields of sers-ice: and (d) three others, the chairman of the United Fund, of the United Fund Extension and Evaluation Committee, and of the \'olunteer Services Committee. The Volunteer Services Committee helps recruit, train, and place volunteers for agency projects and special activities. Anyone desiring to devote time or special talents to welfare projects may volunteer through the "i^elfare Council at 614 Davis Street, GReenleaf 5-2400. The "Welfare Council is a source of information concerning community social problems, and it collects statistics and data on volume and type of welfare services. It is financed through the Evanston United Fund, annual membership dues, and donations. The council publishes a Directory of Community Services, 74 SOCIAL WELFARE 75 available to the public as a guide to health, welfare, and recreation services of Evanston. The council acts as a clearing house for Christmas giving. UNITED FUND In 1954 the 22-year-old Evanston Community Chest changed its name to the Evanston United Fund, planning to consolidate into a once-a-year solicitation many of the fund appeals carried on in the city of Evanston. Member agencies participating in the United Fund include these local agencies. American Red Cross Evanston Day Nursery Arden Shore Association Evanston Welfare Council Evanston Boy Scouts Council Evanston Visiting Nurse Association Evanston Child Care Center Illinois Children's Home and Evanston Girl Scouts Council Aid Society Evanston-Northwestern Family Service Of Evanston Community Clubs Young Men's Christian Association Evanston Community Hospital Young Women's Christian Association In addition to the above-listed local agencies, the United Fund includes organizations serving on a state and national level. A number of national agen- cies continued in 1955 to conduct their own campaigns for funds, independent of the United Fund drive. The United Fund plans, through one annual campaign, to provide its member organizations with that portion of their budgets which cannot be met through fees for service, endowment, or other income. The United Fund is administered by a Board of Directors of 45 citizens, elected at an annual meeting of the corporate members. Citizens contributing $12 or more annually are members of the association and entitled to vote. The United Fund employs a professional executive director. Eligibility of Agencies for Membership Local charitable and welfare agencies whose activities are conducted only within, or in the vicinity of, Evanston, Illinois, are eligible for membership and participation in funds. The agency agrees to make no unauthorized public so- licitation of funds. National agencies make a similar agreement, and agree also to submit sucn reports as may be requested by the Board of Directors and to conform to the provisions of the by-laws of the United Fund. PUBLIC AID Township The Evanston Township Relief Administration is located at 1802 Maple Avenue. This office, supported by local taxation, supervises the administra- 76 THIS IS EVANSTON tion of public relief. The service for those eligible includes family case work, relief, provision for medical care, and placemejM in private employment. Service is arranged through personal application or by referral from other agencies. The Township Relief Administration has an elected supervisor and a super- intendent in charge of the professional work. County The Cook County Department of Welfare administers relief as a Illinois Public Aid Commission. Aid is divided into four categories calrelief for Evanstonians during the month of July 1955 is summari Old Age Assistance Aid to Dependent Children Blind Assistance Disability Assistance Number of cases 266 50 12 12 340 Number of persons 266 199 12 12 489 Average July award $60.04 134.22 66.22 65.30 unit of the . Categori - zed below: Total .ssistance $15,970 6,711 795 784 $24,260 Estimate for suburban cases Evanston residents applying for any of the above services must make appli- cation at the Northern District Office of the Cook County Department of Wel- fare at 4238 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago. Federal The Old Age and Survivors Insurance program of the Social Security Admin- istration is under the United States Department of health. Education, and Wel- fare. The fund for the Old Age and Survivors Insurance is built up from payroll deductions, employers' contributions, and payments made by self-employed persons. The scope of the program is being broadened constantly to allow more persons to share its benefits. The district office of the O. A.S.I, is at 924 Chicago Avenue. The office is- sues Social Security numbers, approves payment of claims for death benefits to survivors, and pays retirement benefits for those included in the O.A.S.I. programs. It also supplies general information in pamphlet form about the Social Security Act. PRIVATE AGENCIES Family Service of Evanston Family Service, located at 1114 Church Street, is a United Fund agency. It is governed by a board of 22 men and women. It offers counseling service and help with family problems such as marriage difficulties, behavior difficulties SOCIAL WELFARE 77 of children, problems of the aged, and individual personality adjustment. Ap- proximately 950 families were served during 1954. Family Service also accepts applications for the Evanston Day Nursery and for the School Children's Welfare Association. Hospital Social Service Departments Evanston's hospitals have social service departments that follow up the work of the medical department and do much to correlate the treatment of the purely physical with other contributing factors. These departments work close- ly with Family Service, Township Relief, the schools, and other community agencies. Other Agencies There are a number of other private agencies functioning in Evanston, all of which are members ot the Evanston Welfare Council. Some are located in Evanston and serve a wider area, such as the North Shore Association for Re- tarded Children, the North Shore Association for the Crippled, the Cradle Society, the Illinois Children's Home and Aid Society, and the Visiting Nurse Association. A complete listing of the organizations which are members of the Evanston Welfare Council may be obtained at the Council office, 6l4 Davis Street. Institutional Care for the Aged Care for the aged is offered by the Presbyterian Home, the Swedish Socie- ties Old People's Home, the Mather Home, and the James C. King Home. These homes all make a charge for their care and admit other than Evanstonians. Oak Forest in Chicago is the only nearby public home for the aged and chron- ically ill. The American Red Cross In addition to its other services such as first aid and disaster relief, the Red Cross has a home service branch in Evanston which assists in caring for the needs of servicemen and their families. The Salvation Array The Salvation Army has an Evanston branch which will give food and shel- ter to transients and general assistance to families on an emergency basis. Other emergency relief is offered by the Swedish Relief and Aid Society, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Beth Emet Free Synagogue, and most of the Protestant churches. XIII. THE BUSINESS OF ELECTIONS VHien the voter pushes the tabs on the voting machine or puts his "X" in the square for his candidate on the ballot, he is fulfilling part of his responsi- bility as a citizen. Understanding the issues and knowing the qualifications of the candidates makes voting more than a mechanical gesture. Information for voters is available from a variety of sources — radio, television, news- papers, public meetings, political parties —making it difficult to remain unin- formed. The League of Women Voters also furnishes non-partisan information on candidates and issues, and holds open candidates' meetings. In the 1952 general election, 93.8% of Evanston's registered voters ™ 42,664 of a registration of 45,478 — cast ballots, as compared to the national average of 62% participation. VOTING ELIGIBILITY Anyone who is an American citizen, at least 21 years of age, who has lived in Illinois one year, in Cook County 90 days, and in his precinct 30 days may vote if he has registered. Under the Illinois permanent registration system, once registered, the Evanston voter need never register again, unless he moves into another election jurisdiction or changes his name or fails to vote for four years. If he moves within Evanston, he need only send the city or county clerk a change of address. A voter may register with the county clerk at the County Building, 118 N. Clark Street, Chicago, any time in the year except 28 days before or two days after an election. He may register with the Evanston city clerk at the Municipal Building on March 1, 2, and 3 or from the first Monday in May to the third Monday in September, or from the third Tuesday in Novem- ber to the third Tuesday in January. A day or days also is designated by the county clerk when the voter may register in his own precinct. 78 THE BUSINESS OF ELECTIONS 79 VOTER'S POLITICAL ADDRESS Evanston voters have this political address: City: Evanston Township: Evanston County: Cook U.S. Congressional District: 13th State Senatorial District: 4th Appellate Court District: 1st Circuit Court District: Cook County Illinois Supreme Court District: 7th In addition, every Evanston voter has a ward and precinct address, de- pending on the location of his residence in Evanston 's nine wards and 88 precincts. See the ward map on page 80. DISTRIBUTION OF VOTERS BY WARD Ward Number of Precincts Registration 1954 1 9 4,455 2 9 4,811 3 10 5,803 4 10 5,208 5 12 6,681 6 8 4,238 7 12 5,796 8 11 6,073 9 7 3,677 46,742 PRIMARY ELECTIONS Primary elections give the voters an opportunity to nominate political party candidates to be on the November election ballot, and to elect party com- mitteemen. At a primary the voter records his party affiliation which may then not be changed at any primary held within 23 months. All party committeemen are elected at the primary. In his committee, the committeeman has one vote for each ballot cast by his party in his district at the preceding primary. His influence, therefore is determined by the votes cast in his district. The Senatorial District Committeemen for the major partifs determine the number of candidates which the party will nominate in the district for the office of representative in the general assembly. In some districts this method of selection is equivalent to election since neither party nominates candidates for all the seats in the district, but determines the number by the votes cast at the primary. 80 THIS IS EVANSTON Jl^l M.|.«.< .. -.««»> .4 rl 9 7 — OF THE — - CITY OF EVANSTON Cook County, Iilinois rtCS UUi* &.l)U -^ Legend th..^ Ji-mU^ , '' "* i**^^*-*"- '^.^^.*°'^'*'. ** - -.-■■1 THE BUSINESS OF ELECTIONS 81 HOW EVANSTON VOTED IN THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS Date Registration Republican Democrat Total %Voting 1944 44,245 8,660 1,169 9,829 22% 1946 47,451 10,505 2,449 12,954 27% 1948 48,152 12,668 1,046 13,714 28% 1950 43,990* 13,846 1,709 15,555 35% 1952 46,760 22,499 2,472 24,971 53% Drop in registration created by county clerk official canvass, eliminating names of those who had moved, died, or not voted for four years. SCHOOL ELECTIONS School boards for both School District 65 (elementary schools) and 202 (high school) are elected by the voters at special elections held the second Saturday in April. (See chapter on Education for method of selection of candidates.) THE GENERAL ELECTION LAW Evanston's election procedure is set down in the General Election Law, with elections under the authority of the county clerk of Cook County, with Evanston's city clerk acting as his deputy. (Chicago and -many nearby towns operate under a City Election Act with a Board of Election Commissioners.) The county clerk defines the precincts (except in local elections), desig- nates and equips the polling places, orders supplies and the printing of ballots and delivers them to the polling places. The law requires five elec- tion officials at each polling place ~ three judges and two clerks, selected on a bi-partisan basis to serve for one year, receiving Sl5 a day in county, state, national, and judicial elections; $15 in local elections. Judges and clerks must be citizens of good reputation, residents of the precinct, and may not hold any public office nor be candidates for any public office. Judges must be householders or wives of householders. Duties of clerks and judges include opening and closing polls, checking each voter to be sure that he is legally registered, seeing that all ballots are accounted for, counting and tallying votes, and delivering them to the County Building in Chicago. Com- mitteemen, with approval of the county clerk, select judges and clerks in all elections except local ones, when the City Council selects them. Polls are open from 6 ^.M. to 5 P.M.> except in school elections when the time is noon to 7 P.M. Voting machines were first used in Evanston in 1948. By 1954, they were being used in almost all precincts. 82 THIS IS EVANSTON ABSENTEE VOTING Any voter who expects to be absent from his county on election day raa) apply for a ballot by mail on a special form from the county clerk or the Evanston city clerk not more than 30 nor less than 5 days before the election or by appearing in person not less than three days before the election. HOW TO VOTE On election day, the registered voter appears at the designated polling place in his precinct: 1. Gives las name and address. 2. Signs an application for a ballot (which is then compared with his registration card on file). 3. Sees that the clerk checks his card as having voted. 4. Receives ballot, initialed by the judge, and enters voting booth. Each voter is allowed a reasonable time for marking a ballot. For voting by machine, four minutes are allowed. For those unfamiliar with the voting machine, the county clerk provides instructors at three specific places in Evanston (at two banks and at the Vlieboldt store) six weeks prior to any state or county election. WHERE TO GET VOTING INFORMATION For information about where to vote or about your privileges as a voter call: City clerk, Municipal Building, Evanston, Greenleaf 5-3100 County clerk. County Building, Chicago, Franklin 2-3000 For information about candidates, get in touch with: League of Women Voters of Evanston League of Women Voters of Illinois, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago League of Women Voters, North Shore Office, 620 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka Evanston Republican Club Evanston Woman's Republican Club Evanston Young Republican Club Evanston Democratic Club Evanston Woman's Democratic Club Independent Voters of Illinois, 14 E. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago Metropolitan Civic Information Service, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago Better Government Association, 343 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago Chicago Bar Association, 29 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago Citizens of Greater Chicago, 173 W. Madison Street, Chicago THE BUSINESS OF ELECTIONS 83 ELECTION CALENDAR FOR AN EVANSTON VOTER First Tuesday in April Odd-numbered years: 1955, etc. Alderman (one for each ward) Every fourth year from 1957 Mayor City Treasurer City Clerk Township Assessor Township Supervisor Constables (5) Justices of the Peace (5) Park Districts' Board Members Second Tuesday in April Primary to nominate (for election to be held first Tuesday after first Monday in November) except committeemen who are elected at primary. Even-numbered years: 1956^ etc. Congressman . , Representatives in State Legislature State Treasurer Sanitary District Trustees (3for 6-year term) Elect: State Central Committeemen Senatorial District Committeemen Every fourth year from 1954 State Superintendent Public Instruction State Senators in odd-numbered districts County Clerk 2. / County Sheriff County Treasurer Judge of Cook County Court Judge of Probate Court g^ THIS IS EV.\NSTON Clerk of Probate Court County Superintendent of Schools County Comniissioners (5) County Assessor Members of Board of Tax Appeals (2) Clerk of Criminal Court 2. Elect: Township Coirmitteemen Every fourth year from 1956 Governor Lieutenant-Governor Secretary of State Auditor of Public Accounts Attorney General State Senators in even-numbered districts , / State Treasurer State's Attorney Coroner Clerk of Circuit Court of Cook County County Recorder Clerk of Superior Court of Cook County Trustees of Sanitary District (3) Clerk of Municipal Court Every fourth year from 1956 Elect: Delegates and alternates to national political convention and indicate preference for presidential candidate One every 6th year from 1956, and one every 6th year from 1954 United States Senator Every 6th year from 1956 Clerk of State Supreme Court Clerk of State Appellate Court Second Saturday in April Every year for staggered 3 -year terms Boards of Education THE BUSINESS OF ELECTIONS 85 First Monday in June Every 9th year from I960 Judges of the State Supreme Court Every 6th year from 1957 Judges of Circuit Court of Cook County (20) Judge of Superior Court of Cook County Judges of Municipal Court of Evanston (2) Every 6th year from 1958 Judges of Superior Court of Cook County (6) First Tuesday after first Monday in November Even-numbered years: 1956, etc. All 'candidates nominated in April Primary, under 1 above Three Trustees of University of Illinois (6-year term) Every 4th year from 1954 All candidates nominated in April Primary, under 2 above Every 4th year from 1956 Presidential Electors All candidates nominated in April Primary, under 3 above Every 6th year from 1956 Every 6th year from 1954 United States Senator Every 6th year from 1956 Clerk of State Supreme Court Clerk of State Appellate Court Every 6th year from 1959 Judges of Superior Court of Cook County (29) APPENDIX WHOM TO CALL FOR INFORMATION MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS For information relating to the following or similar subjects call the Munici- pal Building of Evanston, Greenleaf 5-3100, for referral to the proper depart- ment or authority. Beach tokens Building code and building permits Civil Service Commission Collection of taxes Dog pound Elections Garbage and refuse '' Health agencies and statistics Land clearance Licenses — automobile, special businesses, dog, etc. Parks and playgrounds Parking Picnic permits Plan Commission Polling places Quarantines Rent control Streets and sewers Traffic control Zoning 86 APPENDIX 87 WELFARE SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES For information relating to the following or similar subjects call the Evans- ton Welfare Council, Greenleaf, 5-2400; for referral to the appropriate agency or organization. Adoption Blind, special services and assistance for Camping opportunities Clinics Day nurseries Employment Family problems Foster homes Marriage counseling Nursery schvX)ls ,' 'I' '•' , Nursing care in th© home' , • ,• /» . Old age assista>ice Relief • '• '^.-'f. Transients, shelter, and help for Unemployment ooinpensatioil Veterans, services for' SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION Kindergarten through grade 8, Board of Education, District 65, 1323 Hinman Avenue, University 4-5600. Evanston Township High School and E.T.H.S. Evening School for Adults, Board of Education, District 202, l600 Dodge Avenue, University 4-9600. For information relating to any of the special services shown below call the Department of Special Services, located at 1323 Hinman Avenue, Green- leaf 5-3600. Bedside teaching Crippled childten's unit Deaf and hard - of - hearing classes Sight saving classes Special education classes Speech correction Visiting counselor service BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY For information about Evanston business and industry consult the files of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and the "Blue Book" published by the Chamber of Commerce, 518 Davis Street, Davis 8-1500. i \ oh .^.^.^ <• * » • • -or ^^ t'*^ ^^/ ^^jn" ♦t J H i W"^ \y «n ^•-^y .«r?; 4 ^."^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^[lii .?C • 4 -'H f^ \ r- 't^* ^.^ c >. :, I i UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOISURBANA 917 731 L47T 1955 COfll THIS IS EVANSTON 20 EO EVANSTON III 30112 0253 iiiin|iiir 39471