Bob Seidenberg

Chicago, Evanston

Reporter at Evanston RoundTable

Hi Bob Seidenberg, reporter who covers Evanston. [email protected]

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Articles

New west side restaurant to receive assistance to fix exhaust system

2 weeks ago | evanstonroundtable.com | Bob Seidenberg

Evanston’s City Council approved on Monday night an $82,510 loan to new restaurant Free Flow Kitchen, 1623 Simpson St., to install a new exhaust and fire suppression system and rejected an amendment that the owners be held personally liable to pay it back if the venture fails.
Committee votes 5-0 against couple’s vacation rental request advancing

2 weeks ago | evanstonroundtable.com | Bob Seidenberg

A City Council committee on Monday night shot down a request from a couple to make a single-family residence on the 2200 block of Grey Avenue into an all-year vacation rental, siding with a group of residents who argued it would have negative effects. The Planning and Development Committee voted 5-0 against the request of applicant Jeremey Giltner, of Northbrook, to grant the home at 2222 Grey Ave., a full time vacation rental license, block it from moving forward to the full council.
Free Flow Kitchen wants city loan to take restaurant to next level

4 weeks ago | evanstonroundtable.com | Bob Seidenberg

Nina Wade, the co-owner of the Free Flow Kitchen restaurant, said she and her panini press have been “hand-in-hand” since the restaurant opened May 20. She produces breakfast sandwiches with it in the morning, and then turns back, cranking out Tuscan sandwiches, to-go soups and salads for lunch. She and co-owner Nichole Pinkard say they are limited in that regard.
Pastor, family members say homeowner harassed after domestic shooting

1 month ago | evanstonroundtable.com | Bob Seidenberg

The pastor and family members of an 86-year-old Evanston woman say she is being harassed by unfounded police calls and parking enforcement after a May 3 domestic-related shooting at her residence on the 2300 block of Greenwood Street. During the public comment portion of Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Pastor Ken Cherry and two of Juanita Ross’ granddaughters, as well as other family members, appeared before the council on Ross’ behalf.
Pension board urges Evanston to reveal PPRT payments

1 month ago | evanstonroundtable.com | Bob Seidenberg

The president of the Evanston’s Firefighter’s Pension Board pushed the city Thursday to disclose how much of a special tax is being used to pay retiree pensions. Jack Mortell, the board president, pressed Hitesh Desai, the city’s chief financial officer and treasurer, to release figures for the revenues generated through the personal property replacement tax (PPRT). The public deserves greater transparency about pension contributions, Mortell said.
Evanston considers imposing local grocery tax

1 month ago | evanstonroundtable.com | Bob Seidenberg

City officials expect to begin laying out a course next month to replace revenue from the state grocery tax, which is due to expire next year. The city is already struggling with a structural budget deficit and the state grocery tax has reliably generated around $2.5 million annually — money not easily found elsewhere, officials agree.
Grey Park Dog Park proposal sparks debate over accessibility

1 month ago | evanstonroundtable.com | Bob Seidenberg

Members of the city’s Preservation Commission on Tuesday sharply criticized some design features proposed for a new city dog park at Grey Park, raising concerns that the project would undermine the park’s core feature and also limit access for some current users. Staff’s plan calls for the dog park to be constructed at the center of the park, located at Main Street and Ridge Avenue, encompassing an existing limestone amphitheater, regarded as the park’s main feature.
Library leaves 'a good feeling' for one local family on Mother's Day

1 month ago | evanstonroundtable.com | Bob Seidenberg

Jennifer Smith remembers making her first visit to the Evanston Public Library. Her mom brought her and her sister “to the library shortly after we moved to Evanston in 1995 [from essentially across the street in Rogers Park] when I was around 5 and my sister, 2, to get us library cards,” recalled Smith, secretary to the assistant directors of instruction & special programs at Evanston Township High School.
City council to vote on proposed rule changes in June meeting

1 month ago | evanstonroundtable.com | Bob Seidenberg

The current “Rules and Organization of the City Council of the City of Evanston,” more commonly referred to as “Council Rules,” were initially drawn up to serve as a guidebook for councilmembers as they conducted city business.
Programs to enhance city’s business districts moving forward piece by piece

1 month ago | evanstonroundtable.com | Bob Seidenberg

Evanston economic development officials reported making headway last week on a number of initiatives included in the Evanston Thrives report designed to activate the city’s business districts. At the April 23 Economic Development Committee meeting, officials provided a status report on the projects — many having grown out of the 2023 Evanston Thrives study, which recommended strategies policy makers could take to help business districts thrive as they emerged from COVID.