Evanston Ald. Braithwaite, Interim City Manager Gandurski To Resign

EVANSTON, IL — Evanston's search for a new permanent city manager is set to outlast a second member of the City Council, as well as the interim city manager who took over the job nearly nine months ago.

Ald. Peter Braithwaite, 2nd Ward, and interim City Manager Kelley Gandurski announced this week they are both leaving their roles in the city next month.

Braithwaite announced at Monday's City Council that he planned to resign following the next regularly scheduled council meeting.

"Over the past several months, there have been some life-changing experiences that myself and my family has gone through, and it has been a deep period of reflection," And so I've had many deep conversations with some of my peers I've worked very closely with and some members of the community, and, at this point, I'm sharing that July 11 will be my last public meeting."

Braithwaite was first appointed to the City Council in 2011 by then-Mayor Liz Tisdahl after former 2nd Ald. Lionel Jean-Baptiste was appointed to be a Cook County circuit judge. Braithwaite then ran unopposed in 2013 and 2017. Last year, in his first competitive race, he defeated Darlene Cannon by 71 votes.

"It has been a huge honor and privilege — not only to serve and represent the members of the 2nd Ward here on council — but being a part of some amazing decisions and meeting some incredible people along the way," Braithwaite said.

In a statement after the meeting, Braithwaite said last month's death of his mother had given him time to reflect and refocus his priorities.

Several councilmembers expressed shock at Braithwaite's announcement, which came during the call of the wards at the end of Monday's meeting. Ald. Jonathan Nieuwsma, 4th Ward, said he was "taken aback" by the news.

"My heart sank as you made your statement," Ald. Eleanor Revelle, 7th Ward. "I'm really going to miss you."

Mayor Daniel Biss said the absence of Braithwaite's experience on the council would be felt following his departure.

"Whatever you want to say about this council, experience is not our forte and you've brought experience," Biss said. "You've been so generous in sharing what you've learned during your time on this council with those of us who are new. That's meant a lot."

A day after the meeting, Gandurski announced she was stepping down, effective July 11, to take a job with the municipal law firm Elrod Friedman.

City officials hired Gandurski, a former attorney for the city of Chicago, as corporation counsel in February 2020. At the time, she had just spent two years as executive director of the Chicago Department of Animal Care and Control, where she oversaw the capture of the alligator dubbed "Chance the Snapper."

In April 2021, Gandurski shifted from leading the law department to the city manager's office, joining then-Deputy City Manager Kimberly Richardson as a second deputy to then-City Manager Erika Storlie.

After Storlie's negotiated resignation in October 2021, Gandurski was picked to step in on an interim basis while the city searched for a permanent replacement.

“Kelley Gandurski stepped into the role of interim city manager with very little warning, and with the expectation that it would last a few short months. Instead, she was called upon to lead our staff for more than eight months as we encountered enormously complex and high-stakes challenges,” Biss said in a statement. “Our whole community owes her a great debt of gratitude for an extremely difficult job very well done. I personally thank her for her service and wish her all the best in the next phase of her career.”

Gandurski, who did not formally apply to the city manager job but offered to take the position on a permanent basis after the city council's second search fell through, said it had been an honor and a privilege to serve as interim city manager.

“I am proud of the work that we’ve accomplished together during this short time, and I look forward to seeing the community build on the progress that has been made on so many fronts. Thank you to the City Council and the entire Evanston community for providing me the opportunity to serve in this critical role and to lead such fine, professional and capable staff.”

A special City Council meeting was scheduled for Thursday to allow for a closed-door discussion of personnel.

Biss has announced plans for a town hall meeting on the city manager search process at 7 p.m. on July 12 in the parasol room of the Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.

As for the 2nd Ward vacancy, city staff said there would be an open call for candidates, a public meeting to hear from them and an opportunity for residents to provide feedback.

Braithwaite is the second councilmember this year to resign after citing their mother's recent death. Ald. Cicely Fleming stepped down at the end of January, and Biss appointed Juan Geracaris to replace her.