Candidate Spotlight: Lori Keenan for Evanston Mayor

This Patch article is sponsored by Friends of Lori Keenan.

Lori Keenan is running for mayor of Evanston, Illinois. Learn more about Keenan’s campaign, career and priorities in this exclusive Patch one-on-one:

Patch: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your campaign.

Keenan: I’m running for mayor of Evanston, and it’s important to note that I am not a politician. I haven't run for five political offices in the past 10 years like one of my opponents. Instead, I've been right here in town working hard, as an advocate for our community and what we value as important, because I have Evanston's best interests at heart. If experience truly matters, and it should, then Evanston experience should matter more. Our very complex and nuanced community issues need someone who has a proven track record of success and true leadership right here at home. Someone who has always championed the voice of the people. Someone who can commit to not only having been involved, but staying involved.

Patch: What attracted you to politics, and how did you get started?

Keenan: I have always championed a principled, responsible government that is responsive and accountable to the people who elected them. For too long, Evanston’s elected officials have voted against the wishes of the residents on a number of important issues, or they vote on issues without explaining or supporting their position. Oftentimes, the voices of the resident volunteers appointed to various Boards and Commissions are even ignored. Our beaches are eroding, our parking rates and ticketing have skyrocketed, and local amenities are under threat. At the same time, our skyline and downtown have become almost unrecognizable with development, while our independent businesses and restaurants haven’t been supported. I’ve stood at the proverbial mic for too many 30-second snippets during Public Comment trying to share not only my opinion, but the voice of the people. I know we can do better.

Patch: How long have you lived in Evanston?

Keenan: Our family has lived in Evanston for 22 years, and my husband, Peter, and I have raised our three kids here, where they attended the public schools at Kingsley, Haven and ETHS. In our time in Evanston, I’ve been involved in a number of local issues, holding leadership roles and volunteering my time and skills to try to do good things for our community.

Patch: Tell us about your career and service in Evanston.

Keenan: Professionally, I’ve run my own public relations and marketing firm for more than 20 years, and have managed people, budgets and projects for national campaigns of industry-leading organizations in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. My professional experience in crisis communications as well as day-to-day management of important messaging has been vital during COVID-19, and during other challenging times. I’ve helped to launch local businesses and worry when I see a downtown that isn’t thriving. I question decisions that are being made which decimate the character and charm of our downtown, with little upside potential to the residents or businesses that are currently here. We need to prioritize the residents.

Patch: What are some ways you give back to the community?

Keenan: As an Evanston-based small business owner and a project management specialist, I’ve used my professional skills for decades as a community member and a volunteer to build consensus and support across all wards on citywide initiatives. We’ve had some sizable grassroots wins along the way. For example, we saved the branch libraries and advocated for a west side branch 10 years ago to ensure all Evanstonians have access to this important resource. I’ve supported 5th Ward residents who opposed environmental racism when a pumping station was placed in their ward, and have helped connect players and move the conversation forward in support of a 5th Ward school. I am also a founding board member of the Dajae Coleman Foundation which helped to uplift and support our youth and provide scholarships to Black students, in the wake of a tragic incident due to gun violence. I’ve worn countless community volunteer hats, but am also a working parent with bills to pay and increasing concerns about our community.

Patch: If you were to be elected, what would some of your top priorities/policies/changes be?

Keenan: Equity: Evanston says it prizes its diversity, but actions speak louder than words. From historic redlining to modern day, the landscape of Evanston neighborhoods is the product of decades of racial bias and repressive action. And numbers don’t lie. We are losing our Black population year after year. A variety of voices can only enhance and enrich the conversation. Only through education, advocacy and true civic engagement can we effect a change to encourage dialog and amplify voices previously marginalized. Those actions need to start at the top, and we need to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table. Reparations are only a start. By inviting active participation for residents, and developing local leadership and opportunity that prioritizes diversity, promotes equity, and celebrates our differences, we can encourage participation and rebuild trust.

Accountability: For too long, Evanston’s elected officials have voted against the wishes of the residents on a number of important issues, or they vote on issues without explaining or supporting their position. Oftentimes, the voices of the resident volunteers appointed to various boards and commissions are even ignored. This current election cycle has seen nearly 30 candidates enter the race because people want to be heard and have their voices represented through our elected officials.

Livability: Our beaches are eroding, our parking rates and ticketing have skyrocketed, and local amenities are under threat. At the same time, our skyline and downtown have become almost unrecognizable with development, while our independent businesses and restaurants haven’t been supported. Inexplicably, these are countered with ever-increasing taxes and unaffordable rents. We need to make Evanston livable for current residents, not for the hope of those who might want to move into the latest high-rise.

Sustainability: Evanston talks a good game about being sustainable, especially with its Climate Action Resilience Plan, but we can do better. Too often, ordinances such as the gas-powered leaf blower ban or the plastic bag ban are passed with little follow-through. We need to not only enact but enforce these ordinances. Tearing down existing buildings while building high-rise developments is not a sustainable practice, and we should be working to protect our natural and built environments using the best practices that other communities have championed.

Patch: What distinguishes you from other candidates?

Keenan: I pride myself on my experience in, and knowledge of, Evanston. I am a longtime local advocate and I have always been on the side of the people. I have stood up and spoken up time after time – and achieved real results, right here in town.

For Evanston to succeed, and maintain what is special about it, we need someone who lives and breathes the issues, has advocated for its people, and is committed to the community, not as a stepping-stone to whatever’s next, but for the long haul.

Broad-stroke progressive buzzwords and glossy direct-mail pieces aren’t going to fix what’s broken in Evanston. We need someone who has led real change in town and is willing to stick around until the job gets done. I have done the work, in real time, with boots on the ground for — and with — the Evanston community.

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced during this election?

Keenan: It is disheartening that campaign spending is playing a role in this election. Naturally, candidates with wealthy donors have a major advantage, and the playing field is not level for someone who is not a lifetime politician. There has been much discussion in town about limiting campaign spending, which is something I would certainly support both as a candidate and a voter.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part about running in this election?

Keenan: Speaking with, and hearing from, the people in this town has been extremely
energizing. We are a community of incredibly engaged and involved people, and the outpouring
of support, especially behind major initiatives like the environment, racial equity, small business,
transparency and affordability have truly fueled my campaign for change in a town that leads in
certain areas, but can do much better on these important issues.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your campaign?

Keenan: Please visit my website for information about me, and about how to vote at www.keenan4Evanston.org, and please like us on Facebook and Instagram and be a part of bringing change to Evanston.