Evanston Council Selects Nieuwsma as Acting Mayor After Kelly's Controversial Pro Tem Week

Key points

• Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th Ward) was elected acting mayor by a 5-4 vote, with Clare Kelly (1st Ward), Tom Suffredin (6th Ward), Parielle Davis (7th Ward), and Matt Rodgers (8th Ward) voting against him.
• Clare Kelly canceled a special council meeting scheduled for Oct. 19, extending her time as mayor pro tem from less than a day to a full week until Oct. 26.
• Kelly moved the acting mayor vote to the end of the Monday agenda, allowing her to chair the entire meeting, which included a 2027 budget hearing and a vote on the 900 Clark St. high-rise.
• Kelly nominated seven individuals to fill vacancies on city boards and commissions, including Kevin Brown, John Moore, and Trisha Connolly, some of whom had previously supported her or her partner Jeff Boarini’s campaigns.
• City spokesperson Cynthia Vargas confirmed that most of Kelly’s actions, including agenda changes and nominations, were within the powers of the mayor pro tem, though the cancellation of the special meeting was less clear-cut.
• Nieuwsma stated he does not intend to launch new major policy initiatives and aims to continue the council’s ongoing work until a permanent mayor is elected in a spring special election.

Background

Former Mayor Daniel Biss resigned at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2026, to run for U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois’ 9th District. The vacancy triggered a transition process where the mayor pro tem, a placeholder role, assumed power until an acting mayor was selected. A rotating schedule set in May 2025 placed Clare Kelly as mayor pro tem from May 1 to Oct. 31. Biss had called a special meeting for Oct. 19 to select an acting mayor, but Kelly canceled it, citing scheduling difficulties. The acting mayor is expected to serve until a permanent mayor is elected in a spring special election to serve out the remainder of Biss’s term. Mayoral candidates filed petitions between Oct. 19 and 26, with six candidates meeting the deadline, including former Ald. Ann Rainey and Jeff Boarini.

How outlets are covering it

The Evanston RoundTable reported that Kelly used her week as mayor pro tem to alter the agenda and nominate several past political supporters to city committees, noting that at least three appointees had donated to or supported her or her partner’s campaigns. The outlet highlighted Kelly’s defense that the appointments were based on qualifications and that she was addressing long-standing vacancies. The Daily Northwestern focused on the council’s 5-4 vote to select Nieuwsma, noting that Kelly and other minority bloc members voted against him. The outlet emphasized Nieuwsma’s commitment to avoid new policy initiatives and his statement that he did not want to be mayor. Evanston Now highlighted the controversy surrounding Kelly’s nominations, particularly the inclusion of Kevin Brown, a former city employee who sued the city for wrongful termination. The outlet noted that Kelly informed staff of the appointments just hours before the agenda was finalized, and that the two-week notice rule meant the nominations could not be voted on until Nov. 9. Evanston Now also reported that Kelly’s actions were seen as an attempt to influence the council’s composition, while Kelly defended her actions as necessary to fill vacancies. The outlets differed in their emphasis: the RoundTable focused on the political motivations behind Kelly’s nominations, the Daily Northwestern on the council’s vote and Nieuwsma’s role, and Evanston Now on the procedural and ethical concerns surrounding Kelly’s actions.

Why it matters

The transition of power in Evanston highlights the tensions and procedural challenges that can arise when a mayor resigns unexpectedly. Kelly’s actions as mayor pro tem raised questions about the limits of temporary mayoral power and the potential for political influence in committee appointments. The council’s 5-4 vote to select Nieuwsma reflects the divided nature of the council and the importance of maintaining stability during a transition. The controversy over Kelly’s nominations and agenda changes underscores the need for clear rules and transparency in local government, particularly during periods of leadership change. The outcome of the spring special election will determine the permanent mayor and the direction of the city’s policies, making the current transition a critical period for Evanston’s governance.

What to watch

The council will vote on Kelly’s nominations at its next meeting on Nov. 9, though the new acting mayor, Nieuwsma, may choose to rescind them. A special election to select a permanent mayor will be held in the spring, with a primary election on Feb. 23 if at least three candidates are on the ballot. If no candidate wins more than 50% in the primary, the top two will face off in a general election on April 6. Nieuwsma will continue to serve as acting mayor until the new mayor is elected, focusing on maintaining continuity and avoiding new major policy initiatives.