The Evanston City Council was found in violation of the Illinois Open Meetings Act for approving a contract as part of the temporary relocation of city administration operations while in closed session.

According to a March 1 release from the Illinois Office of the Attorney General, City Manager Luke Stowe signed an exclusive representation agreement on Oct. 17, 2023, with real estate company Jones Lang LaSalle Midwest LLC to allow the company to represent the city in a search for locations to house city administration while decisions are made about the viability of the Morton Civic Center. The contract also outlines compensation to the company, 6% of gross sale proceeds, if the Civic Center is sold.

The signing came a day after the Oct. 16 City Council meeting where no final vote was held in open session regarding the pact with the real estate company.

The city stated in a March 4 news release that it disagrees with the state’s binding opinion, saying Evanston remains “abundantly committed” to complying with the state’s Open Meetings Act and will place the agreement on the March 11 City Council meeting for a vote in open session. The news release stated because council has already voted on the lease itself, the vote for the contract with JLL will not prevent the city from moving operations.

The news release also states if the city revealed itself as the potential tenant at 909 Davis Street, there would have been opportunities for price gouging.

“The JLL agreement was executed at no cost to the taxpayers. Maintaining confidentiality in the marketplace was paramount to negotiating the best terms for Evanston community members,” read the news release.

The move has caused division with some residents and council members calling the $37.4 million price tag for the 15-year lease of 909 Davis Street in downtown Evanston too expensive. The 52,955-square-foot office space is less than half the size of the Civic Center as well.

Councilmember Clare Kelly opposed the move, voting to repeal the previously approved lease during the Feb. 22 special city council meeting. She, along with councilmembers Devon Reid and Thomas Suffredin, called the meeting to discuss the lease. All three voted to repeal the lease, repeating the 6-3 vote held during the Jan. 22 meeting, and the agreement was upheld.

Reid walked out of the Oct. 16 closed session, later telling Pioneer Press he didn’t want to be part of “actions that have been identified as unlawful and, crucially, as breaches of trust with our community.”