Board Divided Over Equity Priority for Nonresidential Buildings

Evanston's Healthy Buildings Accountability Board discussed which nonresidential buildings should receive equity prioritization but could not vote without a quorum.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Remote Work

Isometric editorial illustration of three small brick community buildings of differing heights, each topped with rooftop solar panels, one glowing warmly from within. — Evanston's Healthy Buildings Accountability Board deadlocked without a quorum on Friday over which nonresidential buildings, including public school and childcare sites, should receive equity prioritization for emissions and energy support. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should Evanston require existing buildings to meet strict emissions targets, even at owners' expense?

The Healthy Buildings Accountability Board is divided over which nonresidential buildings should receive equity prioritization, which would give them more access to technical or direct financial support. The board lacked a quorum at its Friday meeting at City Hall and did not vote.

Why it matters

Equity-prioritized buildings would receive support to help them meet the ordinance's interim and 2050 final targets for emissions, energy use intensity and renewable energy. The outcome will shape which local organizations and facilities receive help in meeting those goals.

Fines would be capped at $5 million per five years for any individual property, according to the proposal before the board. The board has not finalized whether fines and payments in lieu of compliance will be separate or combined.

The players

Healthy Buildings Accountability Board

The Evanston body overseeing the city's building emissions and energy ordinance, which is weighing which nonresidential buildings qualify for equity prioritization.

Stephanie Victor

A board member who expressed concerns about including public school district buildings among equity-prioritized buildings.

Jessica Miller

A board member who said District 65 buildings should be included in the equity list.

The details

Board member Stephanie Victor raised concerns about including public school district buildings among equity-prioritized buildings, while Jessica Miller said District 65 buildings should be included. The board is considering advocacy organizations, childcare centers, homeless shelters, food pantries, disability providers and places of worship as equity-designated buildings.

Late October and early November 2025: Both the board and the Technical Committee began meeting on the ordinance.
Earlier this fall: The Technical Committee set interim targets for renewable energy sources.
Nov. 4: The Technical Committee discussed the potential fine structure.
Friday, Nov. 6: The board discussed equity prioritization without a quorum.

Remote Work

The debate follows the framework of Evanston's Healthy Buildings Ordinance, which sets 2050 emissions and energy targets for large buildings. Decisions about equity prioritization will determine how nonresidential building owners receive support and face penalties under that framework.

Owners of nonresidential buildings in Evanston could receive technical or direct financial help if they are designated equity-prioritized, which would ease the cost of meeting the ordinance's targets. Buildings that miss the targets could face fines under the proposed structure.

The takeaway

Building owners and organizations that serve vulnerable residents should follow the board's upcoming votes, since equity designation will determine who gets support. Watching the next meeting's agenda is the most direct way to know when decisions are made.

What happens next

The board is expected to vote on what it means to be a nonresidential equity-prioritized building at its next meeting, and the Technical Committee and board will vote on fines or payments in lieu of compliance in the coming months.