La Cocinita Restaurant
Rachel Angulo, Owner
“Clare Kelly has always gone out of her way to advocate for Evanston-based small businesses.  She is a straight shooter, which is refreshing to see in politics.  And she is a strong supporter of the city of Evanston, from the residents to the businesses.  She is creative, supportive, empathetic, and insightful, and we are lucky to be in her district.”

Hewn Bakery
Ellen King, Co-Owner
“Clare has consistently demonstrated a commitment to thoughtful leadership by actively engaging with the small business community, ensuring their concerns and ideas are heard. She isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo, asking critical questions and demanding data-driven decision-making before casting her vote. Even when it means standing apart from the majority, Clare prioritizes informed policymaking over easy consensus, advocating for transparency and accountability in every decision.”

Coffee Lab
Jay Kim & Daniel Quino, Owners
“Alderwoman woman Clare, has been a regular Coffee Lab customer for a long time. In the past, we used to see her with a stack of papers, perhaps grading an assignment. She has personally helped us and guided us on issues that arise within our community that affect our small business. She has been a beacon of encouragement and warmth as someone who has gone out of her way to make sure all angles of any situation have been taken care of and she is extremely proactive from our experience. Even more important, she is warm, sincere, has a genuine smile, and is so down to earth with our community here on Noyes.”

Bookends & Beginnings Bookstore
Nina Barrett, Owner
“As a brick-and-mortar bookstore in the Age of Amazon and as a small business in the COVID era, it was never a sure thing that Bookends & Beginnings would be able to survive in downtown Evanston. We owe our success to the support of the Evanston community and to those civic representatives like Clare Kelly who have advocated tirelessly for our needs and for the needs of all Evanston’s small businesses. In particular, Clare’s championing of the Legacy Business Program shows how deeply she cares about the businesses that have always made Evanston a unique and wonderful place to live and work and are baked into the spirit of our community!”

Best Care Cleaners
Yeon Cho, Owner
“I am a long-time resident and business owner in Evanston’s First Ward. I have had the privilege of knowing Clare for over 10 years. Ald. Clare Kelly has been a dedicated and principled leader who prioritizes the needs of her community. She approaches every issue with care, thorough preparation, and a genuine desire to hear from those she represents. She’s always been all about doing the right thing and keeping things transparent, which is why people trust her so much. Clare’s strong support for local businesses throughout Evanston has made a real difference. Her leadership has greatly benefited the 1st Ward, and I fully support her reelection to keep making positive change.”

D&D Finer Foods/D&D Dogs
Tom and Kosta Douvikas, Owners
“Please join D&D Finer Foods in supporting Clare Kelly for First Ward Alderperson. As a small business in Evanston for the past 48 years, we have been privy to the changes our community has faced throughout time. It is now more than ever that we are searching for effective representation that will not only support existing small businesses but also find appropriate contemporary ways to improve the disastrous fiscal planning this city has endured.

Not only do we believe in Clare’s plan of holding the city council financially accountable, but she radiates equality that is desperately needed in Evanston. We have had the honor of knowing the Kelly family since our doors first opened, and the existence of our current location is owed to them. Back in 1973, our business was located on the Southside of Noyes Street. At the time, there was an old gas station sitting in our current location on the Northside of Noyes Street. Clare’s mother was brave enough to inform us that the City of Evanston was in the process of selling the gas station property to a large chain corporation that would be directly competing with us and essentially put us out of business. With that information, we secured the property and continued to grow as a small business. The city of Evanston was not looking out for our best interest, but the Kelly family certainly was. We have had the privilege of watching Clare grow up walking through our aisles, and we hope to see her remain in office.”
We are honored to support Clare Kelly.”

Dave’s Italian Kitchen
David Glatt, Owner
“Almost four years ago, still in the throes of the Covid crisis, Clare Kelly walked into the restaurant to introduce herself as the new alder and asked me to tell her about my business and if there was anything she could do to help. I told her that I had been a friend and supporter of the previous alder, her foe in their hard-fought and close election. Clare just smiled and again, asked about the Kitchen and what she could do to help. Since then, she has been a constant presence and has helped with all issues, large and small. She’s on the case if my garbage doesn’t get picked up. Most recently, she promoted the filming being done for a documentary being done about the restaurant. She has been a prime mover in Evanston’s Business Legacy Program. I know she has interacted with many other First Ward businesses. Every area resident I’ve talked with appreciates Clare’s help. Please support her!”

Tapas Barcelona
Horacio Lopez, Owner

We are strong supporters of Councilmember Clare Kelly and all that she stands for here in the First Ward and the City of Evanston. Since she has been in office, we have reached out to her for assistance with issues that require improving relationships that affect our business here in Evanston. We are entering a period of uncertainty with a planned development beginning later this year that will affect our business. We feel pleased that Clare has worked on our behalf to ensure as little disruption as possible.

Bennett Johnson, longtime civil rights activist
“I have known Clare for a long time. Clare has shown a life long commitment to equity and social justice in Evanston. Evanston needs Clare’s integrity and community advocacy. I look forward to her continued leadership on the City Council.”

Cameron Davis, WARD Commissioner
“A healthy democracy requires a healthy dose of citizens who are willing to step into the arena, step out on a limb, and step up. Clare is taking those steps for Evanston.”

Evanston FireFighters’ Local 742
“Clare Kelly is a long time Evanston resident and activist who is in touch with the needs and people of the 1st Ward — and has been for years. She brings progressive ideas and a strategic perspective to the City Council. We are deeply appreciative of Council Member Kelly’s leadership to successfully secure 100% funding of the public safety pension funds. The resulting pension funding resolution provides active and retired firefighters with much needed confidence and reassurance in the city’s commitment to our well-being. Clare’s efforts have been felt not only by citizens of the 1st Ward, but by all citizens across Evanston. Fully engaged with public safety issues, Clare understands and has taken actionable measures to address the increasing demands placed on EMS, Fire, and Rescue services provided by Evanston firefighters. Her support of expanding lakefront operations along with adding a full time third ambulance has undoubtedly provided an essential and increased level of safety to all Evanston residents.”

Mike Meyers, “Mayor” of the Evanston Dog Beach
“Clare Kelly fights for ALL Evanston residents. Including those with four legs, wheelchairs and walkers—all welcome friends at our beautiful dog beach…which Clare helped re-open!”

John Moore, Senior Environmental Attorney
“I saw firsthand how Clare Kelly united our community to bring about the closure of a dangerous medical waste incinerator at Evanston Hospital. As council member she puts the “public” back in public interest in representing the First Ward and the citizens and businesses in Evanston.”