Krissie Harris Appointed New Evanston 2nd Ward Alderperson

EVANSTON, IL — The Evanston City Council is next week set to confirm its second member appointed by Mayor Daniel Biss since last year's elections.

Kristan "Krissie" Harris was selected by the mayor to succeed Peter Braithwaite, who announced his resignation in June after more than 11 years on the council.

“I am so honored to further serve the community which has given much to my development,” Harris said in a statement. “I look forward to building on the great work of our past and present elected officials, City staff and community members.”

Harris has lived in the 2nd Ward for 23 years and lived in Evanston for 49 years, according to city staff.

She has also served as a trustee of 2nd Baptist Church and a board member of YWCA Evanston/North Shore, the Dajae Coleman Foundation, Family Focus Auxiliary Board and other organizations.

“Evanston, we have work to do," Harris added. "This work is not mine alone, it is the work of the collective. Let’s go!”

Harris will resign from her part-time job working for the city as a front desk supervisor at the Levy Senior Center following her appointment to the City Council, according to staff.

She will retain her position as manager of student life and campus inclusion at Oakton Community College.

Braithwaite — who had narrowly survived a challenge last year by eking out a 71-vote victory in his first competitive election — became the second Evanston alderperson to resign after being elected to a four-year term last April.

In February, Biss appointed Juan Geracaris to succeed 9th Ward Councilmember Cicely Fleming.

Next spring, 2nd Ward and 9th Ward voters will elect someone to fill the final two years of the terms.

Biss picked Harris over a half-dozen other applicants who appeared at a public applicants forum on Tuesday, including the runner-up to Braithwaite in last year's election, Darlene Cannon, and Evanston/Skokie School District 65 board member Anya Tanyavutti, who said she was ready to resign from the school board in exchange for a seat on the City Council.

"As a 5th generation Evanstonian, Krissie has deep roots in our community and brings an action-oriented, collaborative approach to solving problems and making our city stronger,” Biss said. “I look forward to working with Krissie as a member of our City Council and I extend my sincere thanks to all of the excellent candidates who applied for this position.”