Clare Kelly Evanston First Ward Logo
Clare Kelly, Councilmember 1st Ward, with Michael Callahan, Deputy Director Parks & Recreation at soft opening of the city’s Ward 1, ‘Cafe au Lake’
Photo credit: Evanston RoundTable, Oct. 20, 2024

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Cafe au Lake: Arrington Lagoon cafe (final name TBD) gets soft launch

Kelly has been instrumental in the city’s long effort to bring a cafe to the Arrington Lagoon shelter building, which dates back to the depression era. The building is city-owned and -operated, and has been renovated over the past several months. The tiny kitchen got outfitted with all-new appliances, and new flooring was installed throughout the building....

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Clare Kelly

A lifelong Evanston resident and ETHS teacher for 30 years, Clare has a proven record of leadership, collaboration, and fighting for government accountability, transparency, and social justice.

 

Clare has always been committed to the ideals of equity, justice, democracy, and transparency in government. She has led successful grassroots campaigns that have benefited the Evanston community. Clare is an inspiring organizer whose effective strategizing and collaboration had a big impact on change at local, state and national levels.

Growing up in the First Ward , Clare has deep roots in Evanston dating back to her great, great grandfather who graduated with Northwestern University’s first class in 1859. Her two children, Nico and Gus, went through Evanston’s public schools and graduated from Vanderbilt and NU, respectively. She has two brothers, Mike and Max. Clare teaches Spanish at ETHS and is an Illinois Virtual Instructional Coach and a Spanish language debate coach. She has an MA in Spanish Linguistics and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Clare will retire next year in order to fully dedicate her time to the needs of the First Ward and the City of Evanston.