Candance Chow

04/19/2025

Hope to see everyone Evanston Scholars fundraiser on May 3rd. I don’t know about you but dancing to Suite Mollie tunes in support of Evanston youth sounds like a great change of pace!!! Hope to see you there!

Join us May 3 at 7:00PM at Double Clutch Brewing Company for POMP! Evanston Scholars' Annual Benefit. Celebrate our graduating Scholars and all the ways our Scholars, their families, and our community come together to Make It Happen!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! https://www.evanstonscholars.org/pomp.html
Proceeds from POMP! provide programming and support services so that Evanston's first-generation students, students of color, and students from families with limited financial means have the resources to access and graduate from college and obtain strong jobs.

04/14/2025

As you probably know by now, I was unsuccessful in the election to represent the 6th ward for Evanston’s city council yesterday. As I texted my adult daughters (who all contributed to the campaign in a meaningful way) at 1:00 am this morning, sometimes you can work extremely hard and do all the right things for the right reasons, and still the outcome doesn’t go your way.

Yet, I believe much good has come out of this process, hopefully for us all.

We have set a new standard for participation, representation, and engagement for our ward.

We have met new friends and collaborators and had an opportunity to reconnect with old ones while working to make our community better together.

We have shined a light on the need for constructive, productive, and forward-looking leadership for our neighbors and community.

We have drawn attention to the notion that showing up and putting in the work matters, and accountability to constituents matters too.

I know that I have come out the other side even more awed by and appreciative of the even larger group of wonderful people I have the privilege to surround myself with on the zooms, at the doors, in homes, and wherever else we found ourselves.

I humbly thank each of you for giving your time, resources, expertise, and support in so many ways. I did some data analysis last night (‘cause that’s how I roll), and if you don’t believe me about how great you are, here are the numbers:

"Friends of Candance Chow Results"

1430+ votes (that’s more than any other contested ward winner)

245+ campaign supporters

20 Event Hosts

36 Friend-to-Friend outreach volunteers

21 Campaign Committee members

25 election day and canvass volunteers

340 signs distributed

1700 voters canvassed

5,600 Friend-to-Friend Contacts

More than 100k voter touch points by mail, social, text, events

More than $40k raised from Evanstonians


There is no way that any of this could have happened without you. I am eternally grateful and only sorry that I can not show my gratitude by serving you to the very best of my ability as your city council representative.

Thank you and Onward!

Candance

03/30/2025

Throughout this campaign, I’ve had great conversations with you on ways to make the 6th Ward better for businesses and families. These are 6 things I promise to do for the 6th Ward:

1. Hold office hours, regular ward meetings, and neighborhood gatherings so that all voices are heard.

2. Strategically recruit high-demand businesses and retail to Central Street.

3. Advocate for better bus transportation along the Central Street Corridor, including to/from ETHS and the train stations.

4. Create business advisory hubs through NU partnerships to lift up local businesses.

5. Bring safety and traffic improvements to the Gross Point/Crawford/Central intersections.

6. Focus 6th ward re-zoning to advance targeted residential and economic development projects that enhance affordability and economic vitality.

Bonus (I told you I would give 110%): Take a leadership role on the Finance and Budget Committee to drive implementation of multi-year planning and program impact audit.

Many of these concerns are not new, but my commitment to action is. As your city council representative, the 6th Ward and the City of Evanston will be my primary focus, and I will get the job done. It is what you deserve from your alderperson.

I promise to show up, engage, and problem-solve to make Evanston the best it can be for all of us. Can I count on your vote on April 1st to put my plans into action and build a better Evanston?

03/29/2025

I am honored to be supported by former 6th Ward Alderman Mark Tendam! In endorsing my campaign, Mark said:

“I proudly endorse Candance Chow to represent the 6th Ward on Evanston’s City Council.

As a former 6th Ward Alderman, I know that an alderperson cannot effectively do the job without being engaged in the community. Candance is the candidate who will bring inclusive and collaborative engagement back to the 6th Ward, and she will always put our interests first.

Candance has been deeply involved in the Evanston community for more than 25 years and has given 100 percent to all of her community commitments as a board member for D65, Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH), Books & Breakfast, co-founder of Caring Outreach by Parents of Evanston (COPE) and co-chair of the Health and Wellness committee of Evanston Cradle to Career — all organizations dedicated to improving opportunities for Evanston children and families. I have no doubt she will take the same dedicated approach in her service as our 6th Ward City Council representative.

We need a council representative who listens, understands and represents the needs and priorities of residents. Candance is dedicated to holding regular office hours, ward meetings and listening sessions and publishing regular ward newsletters.

Candance Chow is the leader the 6th Ward needs and deserves — and I am proud to support her campaign.”

Evanston community leaders, elected officials, and neighbors from across the ward support my campaign. Check out my supporters list (and add your name) here: https://candancechow.com/supporters-list.

Over 90% of my campaign support comes from Evanston, and I do not take my community's endorsement lightly. As your representative, I promise to show up, engage, and put your interests first! Vote now until April 1st!

03/27/2025

I’m running for 6th Ward City Council because you deserve a representative who will show up, engage, and problem-solve to make Evanston the best it can be for all of us. I’ll be at Curt’s Cafe TODAY (Thursday 3/27) from 1-3 pm. Stop by so we can start the conversation, and I can answer your questions!

I’m the only person in this race with a plan to generate more sales tax revenue by spurring economic development projects, improving the vitality of our downtown, and supporting local businesses. I’ve demonstrated the ability to make difficult fiscal decisions and achieve positive results.

I am the only person in this race with a broad and diverse coalition of supporters from District 65 parents, educators, business owners, community leaders, and elected officials (https://candancechow.com/supporters-list?mc_cid=42b3a44e67&mc_eid=UNIQID). I’ve been working with Evanstonians for years to make our community safer, stronger, more vibrant, and financially secure.

I’m the only person in this race with a long history of working closely and collaboratively with several community organizations and with my Evanston-based business that reconnects women to the workforce. As your representative, I will show up, engage, and problem-solve. I will be active on key council committees, hold regular ward meetings, host 1-1 office hours, and organize popup resident conversations neighborhood by neighborhood.

My fiscal expertise, service record in Evanston, and dedication to community engagement set me apart from my opponent. The 6th Ward deserves a strong and dedicated leader, and I am that candidate.

Come say hello at Curt’s Cafe TODAY (Thursday 3/27) from 1-3pm.

Vote early through March 31st at the Morton Civic Center or Centennial Ice Rink. Election Day is April 1st! Early voting hours and information on how to register to vote and where to vote can be found here: https://www.cityofevanston.org/Home/Components/News/News/6552/17?mc_cid=42b3a44e67&mc_eid=UNIQID.

03/22/2025

On Thursday, Dan and I had the honor to be one of many in our community to sponsor the Connections for the Homeless Inspire Luncheon.

One of the key reasons I am running for city council in the 6th ward is to ensure our city lives out the values we espouse. And, as a city, we did just that when in 2023 the Margarita Inn became our first permanent shelter.

The project started during the pandemic as a response to dire need, but then Connections was able to combine private funding with resources from Cook County and the state to make it a permanent reality.

The renovation and operations of Margarita Inn require NO municipal funding. Yet Tom Suffredin was 1 of only 2 council members who voted against keeping it open, effectively putting the over 500 people who have been served (over 75% of whom have transitioned to long-term supportive housing) on the streets.

I believe a city council member can do what's best for their ward and the city. We can be financially sound and support our most vulnerable. I hope to prove myself right! Early voting now through April 1st.

03/20/2025

I’m proud to receive the endorsement of former mayor Steve Hagerty. In supporting my campaign, Steve said:

“I have worked closely with Tom Suffredin and Candance Chow over the years. They are two very different candidates. Candance’s commitment to Evanston is unwavering. She collaborates well with people; she listens and engages productively on difficult issues.

Tom, on the other hand, is one of the most unengaged members of the City Council, who is more comfortable attacking his colleagues, dismissing residents, and voting no rather than doing the hard work of building coalitions and legislating.

The 6th Ward has an opportunity to reassert itself in city issues by electing Candance Chow, who has a track record of leaving places, such as D65, better than she found it; with a $60M surplus when she left the Board (Check out the facts, not the falsehoods here: https://candancechow.com/candance-chow-d65trackrecord). I know she will do the same for the City of Evanston.”

In addition to former Mayor Hagerty, I am honored that Evanston community leaders, elected officials, and neighbors from across the ward support my campaign. Visit my website to see a list of supporters: https://candancechow.com/supporters-list.

Over 90% of my campaign support comes from Evanston, and I do not take the endorsement of my community lightly. My commitment to Evanston is unwavering. As your city council representative, the 6th Ward and the City of Evanston will be my sole focus.

I appreciate that I am supported by so many members of our community who have seen my hard work and dedication in action and know that I will always put you first and truly represent your interests.

Early voting is ongoing at the Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave, or at Centennial Ice Rink in Wilmette!

03/17/2025

As early voting begins, I want to highlight how the race for 6th Ward City Council is a tale of two records.

I’m running for City Council because it is time for a laser-focused fiscal professional to take charge of Evanston’s finances. I believe we should make Evanston more business-friendly with a focus on economic development projects, improving the vitality of our downtown, and supporting local businesses.

My opponent, Springfield lobbyist and 6th Ward Council Member Tom Suffredin, says that “there’s going to need to be a property tax increase.” Tom has the worst City Council meeting attendance record, proposes no real solutions, always votes no, and now he wants to raise your taxes.

When you elect me as your next city councilor, I promise to pursue plans for economic development projects, improving the vitality of our downtown, and supporting local businesses, which would all generate more revenue for the city. Without raising your property taxes.

I left District 65 with an almost $60 million surplus, a clear and affordable fiscal path forward, and the Illinois State Board of Education’s highest fiscal rating. I also cut more than $10 million in administrative bloat from the district (without touching any classrooms).

Early voting begins today! I hope you vote for the candidate who opposes raising your taxes and is committed to representing you and building a better Evanston.

03/14/2025

There's still time to request a mail in ballot and definitely time to make sure your voters have submitted ballots already requested! Mail in ballots can be requested up to 3/28.

Evanston's youth needs to have a voice in who represents Evanston into the future!