Stephanie Mendoza, Evanston City Clerk

Did you know some of our city’s trees have reached a lifespan of 150 years?

A tree’s lifespan is shaped by many factors, including disease, weather conditions, salt exposure, and overall care. Our city is fortunate to have experienced forestry professionals, some of whom have served our community for decades, passing along their knowledge and dedication to the next generation.

When you see our Forestry Division planting, pruning, removing, or caring for trees, please know they bring years of experience, skill, and care to that work; they know a thing or two about keeping our trees healthy and, in turn, helping keep our community healthy.

Please remember to thank our Forestry Division not only on Arbor Day, but throughout the year. Their work reflects decades of knowledge, passion, and love for our tree canopy.

Today, I had the opportunity to spend time with this amazing team and see firsthand how hard they work to care for our trees and our community. Even when the work is challenging, their commitment is clear.

Let’s show our Forestry Division some love and appreciation for all they do to protect and grow our urban forest.

Congratulations Catalina on your retirement! Thank you for being such an amazing work colleague!

Congratulations to Records Review Officer Catalina DeLaRosa on her retirement from the Evanston Police Department after 31 years of dedicated service!

Catalina, affectionately known as “Cathy” around the station, began her career as an Identification Clerk assisting with fingerprinting and arrest documentation. She later stepped into the role of Review Officer, where she became an essential part of the department’s daily operations, reviewing and managing hundreds of thousands of police reports throughout her
career.

Over the years, Cathy developed extensive knowledge and experience working with the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), the national reporting system used to track and report crime data. Her work helped ensure reports were accurate, compliant, and properly documented, an incredibly important responsibility that often happens behind the scenes.

In addition to serving as a court liaison for a period of time, Cathy also managed the Evanston Daily Crime Bulletin and consistently supported the department in ways that often happened quietly behind the scenes, but made a significant impact on the organization every single day.

Most recently, Cathy played a major role in helping EPD transition to a new reporting system in June 2025. She dedicated a significant amount of time and effort behind the scenes to help ensure the department remained up to speed and compliant throughout the process.

Police departments do not function with police officers alone. They also rely on the professionalism, knowledge, and dedication of the many people working behind the scenes
every day.

Thank you, Cathy, for all that you have done to support the Evanston community, the Evanston Police Department, and the men and women of EPD over the last 31 years. Your presence will surely be missed.

We wish her nothing but the absolute best as she steps into this next chapter of retirement.

Congratulations Everyone!

Looking to get involved in your community? The City of Evanston Illinois Government is seeking residents to serve on Boards, Commissions & Committees (BCCs)!

The City Clerk’s Office has redesigned the BCC webpages and application links and launched a monthly vacancy list to make it easier for residents to apply, understand mayor-appointed BCCs, and stay informed.

-Apply Here:
https://cityofevanston.civicweb.net/items/Item/public.aspx?TypeID=39

-Boards & Commissions Main Page:
https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/boards_commissions_and_committees/index.php

-Vacancy List:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zgl-Teo9qtZTlw_0bjlSnyuMZDmvJVnqW9j9tL3d9w4/edit?tab=t.0

-Meeting Manager Portal:
https://cityofevanston.civicweb.net/Portal/?notices=True

The vacancy list is updated monthly. Please look at the list date on the top left to see the latest update.

Thank you for your interest in serving the Evanston community!

Office of the City Clerk, City of Evanston

Grateful to our Evanston Police Department, Evanston Fire Department, and Public Works for being out today helping keep our community safe while residents exercised their right to assemble.

Public safety and the freedom to peacefully gather can and should go hand in hand. Thank you to those who showed up to protect both.

🗳️ It’s Election Day! Today is the Illinois Primary Election. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. across Evanston.

If you’re registered to vote, you can cast your ballot at your assigned polling place. Not sure where to go? Look it up at cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections/polling-places

Same-day registration is available at select locations, just make sure to bring two forms of ID, including one with your current address.

Voting is an important way to make your voice heard! For more information, visit cityofevanston.org/vote.

Happy Election Day, everyone! Today is your chance to make your voice heard. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Use this link or the QR code below to find your polling location and make a plan to vote today. https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections/your-voter-information

Our Robert Crown early voting site in Evanston was an inspiring sight. Watching Evanston Township High School (ETHS) students cast their first vote was a powerful reminder of how strong our democracy is when new generations step forward to participate.

We also welcomed a group of ETHS students who will be eligible to vote in the next year. They received a full tour from Lead Election Judge Mark. They had the opportunity to witness democracy in action while learning about the work that goes into protecting and running our elections.

Moments like this matter. Seeing young people engaged, curious, and excited about voting gives me so much hope for the future. Whether someone is voting for the first time or continuing a lifelong habit, every vote helps strengthen and preserve our democracy.

Early voting continues at Robert Crown Community Center through March 16. On Election Day, March 17, you can vote at your designated polling place from 6 AM to 7 PM.