Steve Hagerty

Hagerty grew up in Attleboro, Massachusetts. As a teenager, he worked on his family's farm, selling milk and garden produce to his neighbors, and served as a paper boy for his local newspaper, The Sun Chronicle.{{cite news|last1=Flanagan|first1=Mark|title=FLANAGAN: Add one more to the list of Attleboro's famous|url=http://www.thesunchronicle.com/opinion/columns/flanagan-add-one-more-to-the-list-of-attleboro-s/article_61d84382-26fa-11e7-9814-dfb664c4a237.html|access-date=24 April 2017|work=The Sun Chronicle|date=21 April 2017|language=en}} While attending Attleboro High School, Hagerty played as the only boy on the all-girls field hockey team his senior year before graduating in 1987.{{cite news|last1=Hand|first1=Jim|title=Attleboro High School grad becomes mayor of Illinois city|url=http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/attleboro-high-school-grad-becomes-mayor-of-illinois-city/article_0da17aa9-6eae-518f-9c11-292dc148ee42.html|access-date=24 April 2017|work=The Sun Chronicle|date=17 April 2017|language=en}} Hagerty attended Syracuse University, receiving a degree in consumer studies in 1991, and earned his Master of Public Administration from Syracuse's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 1993.{{cite web|title=Hagerty, Steve|url=https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/deans.aspx?id=107374191199|website=Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs|date = 15 November 2013|publisher=Syracuse University|access-date=24 April 2017}} He moved to Evanston with his wife, Lisa Altenbernd, in 2001.{{cite news|last1=Fishman|first1=David|title=Mayoral candidate Steve Hagerty aims to provide stability for Evanston|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2017/02/03/city/mayoral-candidate-steve-hagerty-aims-to-provide-stability-for-evanston/|access-date=26 April 2017|work=The Daily Northwestern|date=3 Feb 2017}}

Hagerty worked in the Office of Government Services at Price Waterhouse and subsequently PricewaterhouseCoopers, consulting with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, before founding his own emergency management firm, Hagerty Consulting, in 2001.{{cite web|title=Steve Hagerty|url=http://hagertyconsulting.com/employee/steve-hagerty/|website=Hagerty Consulting|access-date=26 April 2017}} After the September 11 attacks, Hagerty and his firm helped manage the federal government's $7.4 billion public assistance fund. Hagerty Consulting also assisted in the response and recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina, Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Michael, Hurricane Maria, the California Wildfires, the 2021 Texas Winter Storm, and the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Eraina|title=Evanston's Mayoral Candidate: Steve Hagerty|url=http://www.chicagonow.com/the-good-life/2017/02/stevehagerty/|access-date=26 April 2017|agency=Chicago NOW|publisher=Chicago Tribune|date=17 Feb 2017}}

Hagerty's involvement in the Evanston community included seats on the Boards of Directors of Youth & Opportunity United, a youth development agency, and of local financial institution First Bank & Trust.{{cite news|last1=Gavin|first1=Mary Helt|title=Three So Far to Run for Mayor - Evanston RoundTable|url=http://www.evanstonroundtable.com/main.asp?SectionID=15&SubSectionID=26&ArticleID=12598|access-date=26 April 2017|work=www.evanstonroundtable.com|date=5 Oct 2016}}{{cite web|title=Stephen Hagerty: Executive Profile & Biography - Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=271792065&privcapId=45822511&previousCapId=45822511&previousTitle=First%20Evanston%20Bancorp,%20Inc.|website=www.bloomberg.com|access-date=26 April 2017}} He also served as president of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce.{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Bill|title=Biographies of the mayoral candidates|url=http://evanstonnow.com/story/government/bill-smith/election-2017/2017-02-23/77025/biographies-of-the-mayoral-candidates|access-date=26 April 2017|work=Evanston Now|date=23 February 2017}} In 2015, Hagerty chaired a city committee to explore options for the dilapidated Harley Clarke Mansion, a source of political controversy.{{cite news|last1=Seidenberg|first1=Bob|title=Disagreement persists in Harley Clarke Mansion debate|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/news/ct-evr-harley-clarke-mansion-debate-tl-0611-20150609-story.html|access-date=26 April 2017|work=chicagotribune.com|date=9 June 2015}}

File:Yard Signs in Evanston, IL in February 2017.pngs for Hagerty (center) and other Evanston candidates in February 2017]]

After Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl announced her decision not to run for a third term, Hagerty announced his candidacy for mayor on October 18, 2016, becoming the third candidate out of an eventual five.{{cite web|last1=Tisdahl|first1=Elizabeth|title=Evanston Mayor on Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/EvanstonMayor/status/755898179942543364|website=Twitter|access-date=26 April 2017|language=en|format=Tweet|date=20 Jul 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Bill|title=Hagerty kicks off mayoral campaign|url=http://evanstonnow.com/story/government/bill-smith/election-2017/2016-10-18/76174/hagerty-kicks-off-mayoral-campaign|work=Evanston Now|date=18 October 2016}} His status on the ballot was briefly threatened by an objection from a supporter of Mayoral candidate Brian Miller, who claimed Hagerty's petitions did not cite the correct date of the election.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|date=2016-12-11|title=Challenges filed to mayoral, clerk candidates|url=http://evanstonnow.com/challenges-filed-to-mayoral-clerk-candidates/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} After the electoral board dismissed this objection, fellow candidate Jeff Smith contested Hagerty's petitions, citing a 1992 city referendum changing the ballot procedure when multiple candidates run for the same office.{{cite web|title=Smith Seeks to Kick Other Mayor Candidates Off Ballot|date=28 December 2016|url=https://evanstonnow.com/smith-seeks-to-kick-other-mayor-candidates-off-ballot/}} This complaint was also dismissed by the electoral board.{{cite news|last1=Lazzarro|first1=Jakob|title=Your quick guide to the drama surrounding the Evanston mayoral election|url=http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/story/your-quick-guide-to-the-drama-surrounding-the-evan/|work=www.northbynorthwestern.com|date=16 Jan 2017|language=en}}{{cite news|last1=Page|first1=Marissa|title=Evanston electoral board dismisses challenges to bids for mayor, clerk|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2016/12/19/city/evanston-electoral-board-dismisses-challenges-to-bids-for-mayor-clerk/|work=The Daily Northwestern}} Hagerty's campaign quickly emerged ahead in fundraising; by January 2017, it had raised over $100,000, about half of which came from Hagerty himself.{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Bill|title=Hagerty way in front on campaign fundraising|url=http://evanstonnow.com/story/government/bill-smith/election-2017/2017-01-18/76759/hagerty-way-in-front-on-campaign|access-date=26 April 2017|work=Evanston Now|date=18 January 2017}} By March, Hagerty's campaign had raised more than all four other candidates combined.{{cite news|last1=Meadows|first1=Jonah|title=Evanston Mayor's Race: Steve Hagerty Raised More Money Than All Other Candidates Combined|url=https://patch.com/illinois/evanston/evanston-mayors-race-steve-hagerty-raised-more-money-all-other-candidates-combined|access-date=26 April 2017|work=Evanston, IL Patch|date=1 March 2017}}

Hagerty was endorsed by all living preceding mayors of Evanston: Tisdahl, Lorraine Morton, and Jay Lytle, as well as and Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin.{{cite news|title=Editorial: The Daily Northwestern endorses Mark Tendam for Evanston mayor|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2017/04/03/opinion/editorial-the-daily-northwestern-endorses-mark-tendam-for-evanston-mayor/|access-date=26 April 2017|work=The Daily Northwestern|date=3 April 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Dugyala|first1=Rishika|title=Elizabeth Tisdahl reflects on mayoral legacy|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2017/04/06/city/elizabeth-tisdahl-reflects-on-mayoral-legacy/|access-date=26 April 2017|work=The Daily Northwestern|date=6 April 2017}}

Hagerty was not endorsed by US Representative Jan Schakowsky, who endorsed his opponent, Alderman Mark Tendam.{{cite web|date=2016-11-30|title=Tendam for Mayor|url=https://marktendam.wordpress.com/endorsements/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Tendam for Mayor|language=en}}{{cite web|date=2017-04-03|title=Editorial: The Daily Northwestern endorses Mark Tendam for Evanston mayor|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2017/04/03/opinion/editorial-the-daily-northwestern-endorses-mark-tendam-for-evanston-mayor/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}}

Although it was a non-partisan election, the Democratic Party of Evanston (DPOE) held an endorsement session. No mayoral candidate secured 66% of the vote so no endorsement was given, but Hagerty received the most absolute votes.{{cite web|date=2017-02-20|title=DPOE endorses Reid in clerk's race|url=http://evanstonnow.com/dpoe-endorses-reid-in-clerks-race/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}}

In the Mayoral primary on February 28, 2017, Hagerty received 44.4% of the vote, advancing him to a runoff election facing sixth ward Alderman Mark Tendam, who won 20.5%.{{cite news|last1=Bookwalter|first1=Genevieve|title=Evanston's mayor, Ward 5 races move to April runoff|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/news/ct-evr-evanston-mayor-ward-five-primary-results-tl-0309-20170301-story.html|access-date=26 April 2017|work=chicagotribune.com|date=1 March 2017}} Despite Hagerty's lead in the primary, the runoff election on April 4, 2017, was surprisingly close, with less than a one percent margin separating Hagerty and Tendam.{{cite news|title=Evanston mayoral race undecided late Tuesday|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/news/ct-evr-evanston-gets-new-mayor-tl-0413-20170404-story.html|access-date=26 April 2017|work=chicagotribune.com|agency=Pioneer Press|date=4 April 2017}} Tendam conceded the race six days later.{{cite news|last1=Fishman|first1=David|title=Mark Tendam concedes Evanston mayoral race|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2017/04/10/city/mark-tendam-concedes-evanston-mayoral-race/|access-date=26 April 2017|work=The Daily Northwestern|date=10 April 2017}} The final election results showed Hagerty winning by just 115 votes, out of 17,899 votes.{{cite web |date=2017-04-04 |title=Suburban Cook County Election Results April 04, 2017 Consolidated General Election |url=https://results417.cookcountyclerkil.gov/summary.aspx?eid=40417 |access-date=2022-02-06 |website=results417.cookcountyclerkil.gov}}{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Bill|title=No surprises in certified election results|url=http://evanstonnow.com/story/government/bill-smith/2017-04-25/77527/no-surprises-in-certified-election-results|access-date=26 April 2017|work=Evanston Now|date=25 April 2017}}

Hagerty was sworn into office on May 8, 2017.{{cite news|last1=Bookwalter|first1=Genevieve|title=New, reelected Evanston city leaders sworn in and seated|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/news/ct-evr-new-evanston-city-council-seated-tl-0511-20170509-story.html|access-date=9 May 2017|work=chicagotribune.com|date=8 May 2017}} Members of the 79th Evanston City Council's Rules Committee had raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest before Hagerty was sworn in, since First Bank and Trust, on whose Board of Directors Hagerty sat, was the city's financial institution, but Hagerty stepped down from the Board before taking office.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/hagertyforevanston/posts/1948803908742653|title=Mayor Steve Hagerty|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=19 September 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Gavin|first1=Mary Helt|title=Rules Committee "Revisits" Policies, Takes No Action - Evanston RoundTable|url=http://www.evanstonroundtable.com/main.asp?SectionID=15&SubSectionID=26&ArticleID=13552|access-date=26 April 2017|work=www.evanstonroundtable.com|date=19 April 2017}}

Hagerty's agenda as mayor included economic development, affordable housing, city infrastructure, and youth development and public safety.{{cite web|date=2017-01-18|title=Steve Hagerty, Candidate for Mayor|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2017/01/18/steve-hagerty-candidate-for-mayor/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}} His final 15 months was consumed with leading the city's COVID-19 response once he declared a local state of emergency on March 15, 2020, the first City in Illinois to do so.{{cite web|last=Edmund|first=Emma|date=2020-03-16|title=Hagerty declares local emergency as COVID-19 concerns continue|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2020/03/15/city/hagerty-declares-local-emergency-in-evanston-as-covid-19-concerns-continue/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}}{{cite web|last=Behm|first=Carly|date=2020-03-15|title=Chicago suburbs declare states of emergency|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/3/15/21181200/coronavirus-suburban-state-emergency-harvey-oak-park-evanston-oak-park-covid-19|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Chicago Sun-Times|language=en}}

During Hagerty's term, and until the COVID-19 pandemic, the City recorded record low unemployment and vacancy rates, increasing property values, and steadily increasing tax revenue.{{cite web|last=Lim|first=Alane|date=2018-03-14|title=Hagerty discusses environment, economy in first 'State of the City' address|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2018/03/13/city/hagerty-discusses-environment-economy-in-first-state-of-the-city-address/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} This was due in part to Hagerty and the council's emphasis on transit-oriented design, adding 1,000 new housing units to Evanston and 3,624 new residents according to the 2020 census results,{{cite web|url=https://patch.com/illinois/evanston/census-data-show-evanston-growing-3-times-faster-cook-county|title=Census Data Show Evanston Growing 3 Times Faster Than Cook County|date=13 August 2021}} all in a state with a declining population.{{cite web|date=2021-08-16|title=Large new rental projects drove decade's population growth|url=http://evanstonnow.com/large-new-rental-projects-drove-decades-population-growth/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} Major new commercial developments included Centrum Evanston, Noyes Loft, The Link, Albion, 601 Davis, 1727 Oak Ave, and 1815 Ridge.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|date=2019-01-07|title=Development surge appears to be ebbing|url=http://evanstonnow.com/development-surge-appears-to-be-ebbing/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} Additional community amenities included Out of Space Concert Series,{{cite web|url=https://evanstonnow.com/nu-among-targets-at-mayoral-town-hall/|title = NU among targets at mayoral town hall|date = 15 November 2019}} Downtown Target,{{cite web|url=https://evanstonnow.com/target-opens-downtown-evanston-store/|title = Target opens downtown Evanston store|date = 7 March 2018}} Evanston's first Pridefest,{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-pride-fest-tl-0711-20190709-6y77dulcxfgchmh5wzzp7ftlgi-story.html|title=Evanston to host first official LGBTQ pride fest on July 25|website=Chicago Tribune|date=9 July 2019 }} Theo Ubique Theater,{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-ott-theo-ubique-jones-loop-1207-story.html|title = Theo Ubique reopens in Evanston, still proud to be small, and the first show is 'Full Monty'|website = Chicago Tribune| date=4 December 2018 }} and many new breweries{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-double-clutch-evanston-tl-0425-story.html|title=A group of North Shore restaurant owners are planning to open a brewpub next year in Evanston|website=Chicago Tribune|date=17 April 2019 }} and stores.{{cite web|url=https://evanstonnow.com/new-businesses-are-opening-despite-pandemic/|title = New businesses are opening, despite pandemic|date = 11 August 2020}}

Hagerty signed a new Inclusionary Housing Policy to increase the number of affordable housing units in new developments and lifting the opt-out fee from $100,000 to $175,000.{{cite web|title=Inclusionary Housing Ordinance {{!}} City of Evanston|url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/departments/community-development/housing-grants-division/inclusionary-housing-ordinance|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.cityofevanston.org}}{{Cite news|date=2018-10-09|title='Inclusionary' housing ordinance rewrite advances - Evanston Now|language=en-US|work=Evanston Now|url=https://evanstonnow.com/inclusionary-housing-ordinance-rewrite-advances/|access-date=2022-02-06}} He also approved an ordinance allowing residents to have attached and unattached accessory dwelling units (ADUs).{{cite web|date=2020-09-30|title=Evanston loosens restrictions on granny flats|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-real-estate/evanston-loosens-restrictions-granny-flats|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Crain's Chicago Business|language=en}}{{cite web|title=ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Options in Evanston {{!}} City of Evanston|url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/departments/community-development/housing-grants-division/homeowner-resources/accessory-dwelling-units|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.cityofevanston.org}} Hagerty advocated for and supported the first Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) low income and missing middle apartment complex for seniors, paid for by market-rate apartments.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|date=2020-11-24|title=Mixed-income senior tower wins Council OK|url=http://evanstonnow.com/mixed-income-senior-tower-wins-council-ok/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} During Hagerty's term, the Illinois Development Housing Agency (IDHA) reported that 17.5% of housing units in Evanston were affordable, relative to 15.4% in 2013.{{Cite news|date=2019-01-11|title=Housing affordability rebounds in Evanston - Evanston Now|language=en-US|work=Evanston Now|url=https://evanstonnow.com/housing-affordability-rebounds-in-evanston/|access-date=2022-02-06}}

Hagerty approved and the City constructed the award-winning{{cite web |title=APWA announces the 2021 Public Works Projects of the Year |url=https://www.apwa.net/MYAPWA/Inside_APWA.aspx?articleId=7946}} $53M Robert Crown multi-use community center,{{Cite news|url=https://evanstonroundtable.com/2021/11/15/robert-crown-center-funding/|title = Friends of the Robert Crown Center transfers another $600,000 to City of Evanston| newspaper=Evanston Roundtable |date = 15 November 2021}} which included a library, early childhood program, two ice rinks, a multi-sport gymnasium, and turf fields; the award-winning{{cite web|url=https://il-asla.org/award/fountain-square-renovations/|title=Fountain Square Renovations}} $6M modern redesign{{cite web|url=https://chi.streetsblog.org/2018/05/29/evanstons-fountain-square-rehab-and-road-diet-is-creating-a-great-public-space/|title = Evanston's Fountain Square Rehab and Road Diet is Creating a Great Public Space|date = 29 May 2018}} and renovation of Fountain Square; the award-winning redesign{{cite web|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2018/11/25/city/evanston-northwestern-university-officials-celebrate-improvement-project-completion/|title = With the ribbon cut, Sheridan/Chicago bike lane project is complete|date = 26 November 2018}} of Chicago Avenue and Sheridan Road adopting a complete street{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/departments/public-works/engineering-construction/capital-improvement-program-projects/street-resurfacing-water-main-and-sewer/chicago-avenue-multimodal-corridor-improvements-howard-street-to-davis-street|title=Chicago Avenue Multimodal Corridor Improvements - Howard Street to Davis Street | City of Evanston}} approach to more safely accommodate bikers, pedestrians, public transportation, and vehicles; and the interior renovation{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-fleetwood-jourdain-center-renovation-tl-0116-20200114-lu7ytty5k5gqjd7cigah3xe4la-story.html|title = 'Welcoming look' of Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center celebrated in Evanston|website = Chicago Tribune| date=14 January 2020 }} of the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, located in the heart of the Fifth Ward, Evanston's historically Black center, allocating funds from Northwestern's Good Neighbor Fund.

Hagerty established a Citizen Committee to review Evanston's police complaint process and recommend improvements.{{cite web|title=Citizen Police Complaint Assessment Committee {{!}} City of Evanston|url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/boards-commissions-committees/citizen-police-complaint-assessment-committee|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.cityofevanston.org}} This led to the creation of an oversight body, the Citizen Police Review Commission, and the expansion of body cameras for all Evanston police officers.{{Cite news|date=2019-10-09|title=New police oversight panel OK'd by committee - Evanston Now|language=en-US|work=Evanston Now|url=https://evanstonnow.com/new-police-oversight-panel-okd-by-committee/|access-date=2022-02-06}}{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|date=2017-02-05|title=Police to wear body cameras by July|url=http://evanstonnow.com/police-to-wear-body-cameras-by-july/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} Hagerty established the Alternatives to Arrest Committee to reassign misdemeanor charges from the Criminal Courthouse to the local Administrative Adjudication process; automatically expunging juvenile municipal records; and connecting youth with Family advocates who help them and their family assess their needs, navigate public health benefits, and access restorative justice.{{cite web|last=Seidenberg|first=Bob|date=2019-06-12|title=City Implements Alternatives to Criminal Justice System for Juveniles|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2019/06/12/city-implements-alternatives-to-criminal-justice-system-for-juveniles/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}} Hagerty expanded the Youth & Young Adult Division to focus on workforce development opportunities through the creation of the Mayor's Employers Advisory Council (MEAC{{cite web|url=https://www.60by25.org/community-profiles/evanston/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020004406/https://www.60by25.org/community-profiles/evanston/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 20, 2020|title=Evanston – Illinois 60 by 25 Network}}) partnership.

During the social unrest following the murder of George Floyd, Hagerty had the City establish a Police Frequently Asked Questions page{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/departments/police/training-and-policies-faq|title = Police Issues and FAQs | City of Evanston}} to provide greater transparency into current policing in Evanston. He committed to conduct a 90-day evaluation of the Evanston Police Use of Force policies as part of his pledge{{cite web|url=https://www.obama.org/policing-pledge/|title = Commit to action: Addressing police use of force policies}} to the Obama Foundation's reimaging policing initiative.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|date=2020-06-04|title=Mayor pledges 90-day review of use of force policies|url=http://evanstonnow.com/mayor-pledges-90-day-review-of-use-of-force-policies/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} This evaluation{{Cite web |title=Review of the Evanston Police Department's Use of Force Policy September 2020 |url=https://www.ipr.northwestern.edu/documents/reports/ipr-n3-epd_use_of_force_report-sept-2020.pdf}} was completed in partnership with Northwestern's Neighborhood Network (3N) Initiative.{{cite web|url=https://n3networks.northwestern.edu/ |title=The Northwestern Neighborhood & Network Initiative (N3) |publisher=N3networks.northwestern.edu |date=2021-01-15 |accessdate=2022-06-11}} He also committed to have the police conduct an investigation, including review of all body worn police video,{{cite web|url=https://patch.com/illinois/evanston/body-camera-footage-controversial-evanston-arrest-released|title = Body Camera Footage of Controversial Evanston Arrest Released|date = 5 June 2020}} into a May 2020 use of force takedown.{{cite web|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2020/06/01/city/use-of-force-incident-against-20-year-old-black-man/|title = Use-of-force incident against 20-year-old black man|date = June 2020}} Lastly, he held a 9-part series live on Facebook and local television in July and August 2020 to increase the understanding of policing in Evanston and the experience of the young Black male in Evanston.{{cite web|title=POLICING IN EVANSTON Q&A AND DISCUSSION SERIES - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMPrwqz2aSjN-gLTjiGeDWw_qqUPfbHpP|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.youtube.com}}{{cite web|title=News List {{!}} City of Evanston|url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/Home/Components/News/News/5014/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.cityofevanston.org|language=en}} Former President Obama praised Evanston for its collaborative efforts to develop recommendations to change the city's use of force policy and improve training and accountability standards.{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Obama highlights Evanston's police reform efforts in Twitter thread|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-obama-tweet-evanston-police-tl-1022-20201015-l6efjb4dgjhdpfca7yidxdtsqq-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=15 October 2020 }}

Hagerty expanded water sales to Niles, Morton Grove, Lincolnwood, and Skokie entering into decades long agreements to provide wholesale water to these communities.{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Robb|date=2019-12-04|title=Niles, Morton Grove Test Full Transfer From Chicago To Evanston Water |url=https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/niles-morton-grove-test-full-transfer-from-chicago-to-evanston-water/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Journal & Topics Media Group}}{{cite web|date=2020-08-14|title=Lincolnwood starts getting Evanston water|url=http://evanstonnow.com/lincolnwood-starts-getting-evanston-water/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=After years of court battles, Evanston and Skokie reach settlement over water rates|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-evanston-skokie-water-settlement-tl-0422-20210420-p4tpjhdxszf4bmg56qm2ibr5j4-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=20 April 2021 }}{{cite web|last=Dorfman|first=Daniel I.|title=New water set to flow into Morton Grove, Niles faucets soon|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/morton-grove/ct-mgc-water-system-tl-1024-20191022-2c7axu75fbcmvpcl7vvsemgkzm-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=22 October 2019 }} During his term, Hagerty authorized the construction of the $20M award-winning Clearwell 9 project, replacing a 5-million-gallon underground tank on Northwestern's property.{{cite web|url=https://sustainableinfrastructure.org/project-awards/clearwell-9-replacement/|title = Clearwell 9 Replacement Project | Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure| date=12 January 2022 }}{{cite web |last= |date=2022-01-15 |title=City wins award for 5-million-gallon water reservoir project |url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2022/01/15/city-earns-sustainable-infrastructure-award-for-5-million-gallon-water-reservoir-project/ |access-date=2022-02-06 |website=Evanston RoundTable |language=en-US}}

Under Hagerty's leadership, Evanston was the first city in Illinois to declare a local state of emergency,{{cite web|url=https://evanstonnow.com/mayor-declares-state-of-emergency-2-here-have-covid-19/|title = Mayor declares state of emergency, 2 here have COVID-19|date = 16 March 2020}} activate its Emergency Operation Center,{{cite web|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2020/03/15/city/hagerty-declares-local-emergency-in-evanston-as-covid-19-concerns-continue/|title = Hagerty declares local emergency as COVID-19 concerns continue|date = 16 March 2020}} and establish a Mayors' Coronavirus Task Force.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-state-of-emergency-tl-0319-20200317-ue3mojyxpzdfhlmdnxkjmfuqzq-story.html|title = Evanston mayor declares state of emergency in response to coronavirus pandemic|website = Chicago Tribune| date=17 March 2020 }} Throughout the pandemic, Hagerty communicated extensively{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/departments/health-human-services/coronavirus-disease|title = Coronavirus Disease | City of Evanston}} with residents, held Coronavirus Q&A sessions,{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=city+of+evanston+coronavirus |title=Search results |website=YouTube}} and preached a whole of community{{cite web|url=https://evanstonroundtable.com/2021/04/14/mayor-hagertys-state-of-the-city-address-focuses-on-challenges-and-opportunities-ahead/|title=Mayor Hagerty's State of the City Address Focuses on Challenges and Opportunities Ahead|date=15 April 2021}} effort to the city's response and recovery. He was part of the unified command at the EOC. Under Hagerty's leadership the City recorded one of the lowest positivity rates per capita, fatality rates per capita, and highest vaccination rates{{cite web|url=https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILEVANSTON/bulletins/2d7f2c5|title=E-News: Upcoming construction projects, COVID-19 update, and more}} of all urban ring cities in the United States. Despite his active involvement in the response and recovery effort, Hagerty was criticized for getting vaccinated in late January 2020 because some believed he did not qualify as an essential worker.{{cite web|last=Austin|first=Jack|date=2021-05-07|title=Evanston highly vaccinates vulnerable populations, forum reveals|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2021/05/07/city/mayor-steve-hagerty-praises-health-departments-coronavirus-response-in-final-qa/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} The city's Health Department Director, Ike Ogbo, claimed Hagerty was essential and needed to be vaccinated because he worked in the EOC.

Hagerty directly allocated $4 million in good neighbor funds to infrastructure, human services, and public safety projects during his four-year term.{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Dog park, paramedic services among Evanston projects Northwestern University plans to fund|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-northwestern-evanston-good-neighbor-fund-tl-1128-20191121-6m35kwfafzcnnd4u5ftppg3cta-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=21 November 2019 }} In addition, he negotiated a one-year extension and $1.5M increase in the Good Neighbor Fund through 2021 to be focused on equity related projects.{{cite web|last=Siemons|first=Jorja|date=2021-03-09|title=Northwestern Good Neighbor Equity Fund recipient programs announced|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2021/03/09/campus/hagerty-and-schapiro-announce-northwestern-good-neighbor-equity-fund-recipient-programs/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}}{{cite web|title=Commitments Toward Social Justice: Leadership Notes - Northwestern University|url=https://www.northwestern.edu/leadership-notes/2020/commitments-toward-social-justice.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.northwestern.edu|language=en}}{{Cite news|date=2020-07-29|title=Northwestern Partners With Evanston on Good Neighbor Racial Equity Fund - Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US|work=Evanston RoundTable|url=https://evanstonroundtable.com/2020/07/29/northwestern-partners-with-evanston-on-good-neighbor-racial-equity-fund/|access-date=2022-02-06}}

During his term, Hagerty and the Council focused heavily on racial injustice and inequity. Hagerty appointed the first Equity and Empowerment Commission,{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/equity-empowerment/equity-and-empowerment-commission|title = Equity and Empowerment Commission | City of Evanston}} led by Rev. Dr. Patricia Efiom, the city's first Chief Equity Officer. He supported and signed a unanimously adopted Council resolution committing to end structural racism and achieve racial equity, acknowledging the city's past discriminatory practices and affirming{{Cite web |date=2019-06-05 |title=58-R-19 A RESOLUTION COMMITMENT TO END STRUCTURAL RACISM AND ACHIEVE RACIAL EQUITY |url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/home/showpublisheddocument/49061/636961168761670000}} the city's commitment to eradicate racism.{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Evanston aldermen pass resolution aimed at combating institutional racism|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-evanston-resolution-fight-racism-tl-0613-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=14 June 2019 }} Hagerty supported and signed the nation's first reparations fund, allocating $10M of the city's new cannabis revenue to be specifically invested into the Evanston Black community. Hagerty supported and signed the first $400K allocation of the Fund to create a restorative housing reparations program.{{Cite news|last=Treisman|first=Rachel|date=2021-03-23|title=In Likely First, Chicago Suburb Of Evanston Approves Reparations For Black Residents|language=en|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/03/23/980277688/in-likely-first-chicago-suburb-of-evanston-approves-reparations-for-black-reside|access-date=2022-02-06}}{{cite web|last1=Pathieu|first1=Diane|last2=Jones|first2=Will|date=2021-03-23|title=Evanston reparations program approved as city becomes first in US to do so; some say it's not enough|url=https://abc7chicago.com/evanston-reparations-illinois-reparation-il/10443028/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=ABC7 Chicago|language=en}} The creation of this program was controversial as some residents felt that the funds should go directly to residents and not designate a specific use or go through a third party.{{cite web|title=Black residents welcomed a city's local reparations program — until it took effect|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/country-s-first-municipal-reparations-program-rocky-start-n1269289|access-date=2022-02-06|website=NBC News|date=2 June 2021 |language=en}}{{cite web|date=2021-12-20|title=Meleika Gardner: 'I am still hopeful that Evanston reparations will get better for my community'|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2021/12/19/meleika-gardner-evanston-reparations-guest-essay/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}} Prior to completing his term, Hagerty appointed a 4-person Reparations Committee, led by Alderman Peter Braithwaite, with input from Mayor-Elect Daniel Biss to help implement the reparations program.{{Cite news|date=2021-04-27|title=Four Community Members Appointed to City's Reparations Committee - Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US|work=Evanston RoundTable|url=https://evanstonroundtable.com/2021/04/27/four-community-members-appointed-to-citys-reparations-committee/|access-date=2022-02-06}} This Committee included retiring Alderman Robin Rue Simmons who is widely recognized as leading the reparations movement in Evanston. Hagerty also established the city's first pilot guaranteed income program directly allocating money from the Northwestern Good Neighbor Fund.{{cite web|title=News List {{!}} City of Evanston|url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/Home/Components/News/News/5202/17|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.cityofevanston.org}}

In June 2017, following President Donald Trump's announcement of withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, Hagerty reiterated the city's commitment to climate action, reaffirming his support of the Compact of Mayors and the Climate Mayors coalition.{{cite web|date=2017-06-02|title=Evanston Now: Hagerty snubs Trump's climate move|url=https://climatemayors.org/evanston-now-hagerty-snubs-trumps-climate-move/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Climate Mayors|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=Baim|first=Nikki|date=2017-12-08|title=Mayor Steve Hagerty signs climate charter; little to change in Evanston|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2017/12/08/city/hagerty-signs-chicago-climate-charter-mayoral-climate-summit/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} In 2018, Hagerty committed Evanston to become the first City in Illinois to secure renewable energy for all Evanston properties by 2030, carbon neutrality by 2050, and zero waste by 2050.{{cite web|title=Climate Change {{!}} City of Evanston|url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/about-evanston/sustainability/climate-change|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.cityofevanston.org}}{{Cite news|date=2018-12-11|title=Evanston Becomes First Illinois City to Commit to 100 Percent Clean, Renewable Energy|language=en|work=Sierra Club|url=https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2019/03/evanston-becomes-first-illinois-city-commit-100-percent-clean-renewable|access-date=2022-02-06}}{{cite web|date=2018-12-17|title=Evanston Adopts Climate Action and Resiliency Plan|url=https://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/evanston-adopts-climate-action-and-resiliency-plan/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Medill Reports Chicago|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=Nikolas|first=Valerie|date=2018-12-10|title=Climate plan up for adoption tonight|url=http://evanstonnow.com/climate-plan-up-for-adoption-tonight/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} These commitments were made based on a 17-person task force Hagerty appointed to develop the Climate Action Resilience Plan (CARP) to guide the city's actions over the next decade.{{cite web|last=Herscowitz|first=Eva|title=Environment Board prioritizes CARP at first meeting of 2020|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2020/01/09/city/environment-board-prioritizes-carp-implementation-at-first-meeting-of-2020/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=dailynorthwestern.com|date=10 January 2020|language=en-US}}{{cite web|date=2017-08-25|title=City Forming Working Group on Climate Change|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2017/08/25/city-forming-working-group-on-climate-change/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}} The US Conference of Mayor recognized{{Cite web |date= |title=Taking Local Action Mayors and Climate Protection Best Practices June 2018 THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF MAYORS 12th Anniversary Winners Mayors' Climate Protection Awards |url=https://www.usmayors.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/climateawards2018.pdf}} Hagerty for Evanston's outstanding and innovative practices that increase energy efficiency, expand renewable energy, and reduce carbon emissions.{{cite web|title=News {{!}} City of Evanston|url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/Home/Components/News/News/2971/249?arch=1&npage=14|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.cityofevanston.org}}

Following an October 2016 Cook County Board measure to gradually increase the county minimum wage to $13, many suburban municipalities passed measures overriding the wage hike just days before the first incremental increase to $10 on Saturday, July 1, 2017, including neighboring Wilmette and Skokie.{{cite web|date=2017-07-31|title=80% of Cook County municipalities have opted out of minimum wage, sick leave ordinances|url=https://www.illinoispolicy.org/80-of-cook-county-municipalities-have-opted-out-of-minimum-wage-sick-leave-ordinances/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Illinois Policy}}{{cite web|title=Wilmette opts out of county wage, sick-time ordinances|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/wilmette/ct-wml-county-ordinances-opt-out-tl-0706-20170706-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com}}{{cite web|date=2017-06-30|title=Skokie Makes Move To Retroactively Avoid Raising Minimum Wage|url=https://patch.com/illinois/skokie/skokie-makes-move-retroactively-avoid-raising-minimum-wage|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Skokie, IL Patch|language=en}} Hagerty called an emergency meeting{{Cite web |date=2017-06-29 |title=City of Evanston Emergency Declaration June 29, 2017 |url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/home/showpublisheddocument/20277/636343279007070000}} of the Evanston City Council on Friday, June 30, 2017, in order to give the Evanston community an opportunity to discuss the issue and temporarily suspend the decision until its next public council meeting in July.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|date=2017-06-29|title=Council to vote on minimum wage hike override|url=http://evanstonnow.com/council-to-vote-on-minimum-wage-hike-override/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} The announcement was met with criticism from local leaders, including City Clerk Devon Reid, who stated that a minimum wage increase was not a "bona fide emergency" and therefore did not qualify for an impromptu emergency meeting under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.{{cite web|last=Wangman|first=Ryan|date=2017-06-30|title=Steve Hagerty's special session on Evanston minimum wage opt-out criticized|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2017/06/29/city/local-elected-officials-community-leaders-condemn-potential-minimum-wage-opt/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} Further, Hagerty was attacked for calling the minimum wage increase "a fiscal danger to Evanston's businesses and the City of Evanston's future tax revenues," even though he supported such an increase during his campaign.{{cite web|date=2017-06-29|title=Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty Calls Emergency Meeting To Block Minimum Wage Increase|url=https://patch.com/illinois/evanston/evanston-mayor-steve-hagerty-calls-emergency-meeting-block-minimum-wage-increase|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston, IL Patch|language=en}} At the emergency meeting,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0LFqxeyzQk|title = Emergency Special City Council Meeting 6/30/2017|website = YouTube| date=30 June 2017 }} Hagerty did not call the meeting to order and members of the council announced that a vote on the override measure would not take place, expressing support for the wage increase.{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Emergency Evanston minimum wage hike meeting draws 150 people, including protesters|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-evanston-minimum-wage-meeting-tl-0706-20170630-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=30 June 2017 }} A week later, Skokie opted in to the minimum wage increase, and a year later, Wilmette did, too.{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Skokie opts in on county minimum wage hike, but commissioner plans lawsuit for towns that didn't|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/skokie/ct-skr-skokie-minimum-wage-opt-out-tl-0713-20170706-story.html|access-date=2022-02-14|website=chicagotribune.com|date=7 July 2017 }}{{cite web|last=Routliffe|first=Kathy|title=Wilmette reverses course, fully adopts both county minimum wage and sick time rules|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/wilmette/ct-wml-minimum-wage-sick-time-opt-in-tl-1206-story.html|access-date=2022-02-14|website=chicagotribune.com}}{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|date=2017-07-07|title=Skokie sticks with minimum wage hike on 3-3 vote|url=http://evanstonnow.com/skokie-sticks-with-minimum-wage-hike-on-3-3-vote/|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} Two months later, the Illinois Attorney General's office determined that the meeting had indeed violated the Open Meetings Act, although no remedial action was taken.{{cite web|date=2017-08-15|title=Mayor Steve Hagerty Violated Open Meetings Act: Attorney General's Office|url=https://patch.com/illinois/evanston/mayor-steve-hagerty-violated-open-meetings-act-attorney-generals-office|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston, IL Patch|language=en}}

Hagerty was chosen to be the 2018 Evanston Township High School commencement speaker. The student newspaper, the Evanstonian, criticized the decision with an editorial titled, Graduation Needs a Wildkit, not Mayor Hagerty.{{cite web|title=Graduation needs a Wildkit, not Mayor Hagerty|url=https://www.evanstonian.net/opinion/2018/05/24/graduation-needs-a-wildkit-not-mayor-hagerty/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Evanstonian}} They claimed Hagerty was a poor choice because he did not grow up in Evanston, did not send his kids to school in Evanston, and his sense of the community was misguided. Despite the call for a different speaker, Hagerty renewed his commitment to speak at graduation, rewrote his speech, and shared with the 864 graduate and 7,000 attendees at the Sears Arena what he thinks it means to be in Evanstonian and, by extension, a Wildkit.{{cite web|last=Rath|first=Zoe|date=2018-06-13|title=Mayor Hagerty Gives 2018 ETHS Commencement Speech|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2018/06/13/mayor-hagerty-gives-2018-eths-commencement-speech/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}}{{Citation|title=ETHS Graduation 2018| date=6 June 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pggNSc8L7h8|language=en|access-date=2022-02-06}}

After the deaths of Ahmoud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, the group, Evanston Fights for Black Lives, demanded that Hagerty and the City Council defund the Evanston police department.{{cite web|last=Bahar|first=Zachary|title=A summer of activism: making a movement|url=https://www.evanstonian.net/in-depth/2020/08/17/a-summer-of-activism-making-a-movement/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Evanstonian}} Hagerty refused to commit to do so.{{cite web|last=Irvine|first=Joshua|date=2020-07-27|title=Evanston City Council majority supports defunding police|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2020/07/26/city/with-slight-majority-evanston-city-council-could-move-toward-defunding/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} Instead, he signed the Obama pledge to reimagine policing, examined Evanston's use of force policies, and hosted a nine week live series{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PLMPrwqz2aSjN-gLTjiGeDWw_qqUPfbHpP|title=POLICING IN EVANSTON Q&A AND DISCUSSION SERIES - YouTube|website=YouTube}} on television and social media about policing in Evanston. At the first virtual meeting, about 50 activists protested Hagerty in front of his home.{{cite web|last=Pollard|first=James|date=2020-07-07|title=Youth protesters push Hagerty on defunding EPD|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2020/07/06/city/protest-results-in-impromptu-meeting-with-mayor-as-youth-protesters-push-hagerty-on-defunding-epd/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} Hagerty's wife and daughter greeted the protesters, acknowledged supporting their efforts, and offered them water. Subsequently, Hagerty's daughter joined the protesters and later issued her own statement to the community.{{cite web|last=Evanston|first=Dear|date=2020-07-08|title=Mayor's wife and daughter agree: defund the police|url=https://www.dearevanston.org/post/mayor-s-wife-and-daughter-agree-defund-the-police|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Dearevanston|language=en}}

After Evanston Township High School sophomore Blake Peters hit a last-minute, three-quarters court shot with one second left in the game to beat Maine South 45–44, becoming the #1 ESPN shot of the game,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/24123553|title=Blake Peters' 80-foot buzzer-beater |date=18 July 2018}} with 2.5 million views, Hagerty declared January 29, 2018, Blake Peters Day.{{cite web|last=Wangman|first=Ryan|date=2018-01-31|title=Evanston's Blake Peters nets day in his honor with buzzer-beating game winner|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2018/01/30/city/eths-freshman-nets-day-honor-buzzer-beating-game-winner/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} Hagerty noted that Peters' shot was a great reminder that the impossible is sometimes possible.{{Citation|title=City Council Meeting 1/29/2018| date=30 January 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0fQvFq7OnQ|language=en|access-date=2022-02-06}} Within hours, a petition was circulated to revoke Blake Peters Day, criticizing Hagerty for recognizing something as trivial as a basketball player's shot.

After taking office, City Clerk Devon Reid made a unilateral decision to make all FOIA responses public on the Internet; rather than just send the response to the requester, as required by law.{{Cite news|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Evanston council, clerk at odds over FOIA policy after names of victim, child made public|language=en-US|work=chicagotribune.com|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-evanston-city-clerk-controversy-tl-0928-20171013-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06}} Soon thereafter, Hagerty learned that the Clerk released private information of juveniles involved in police incidents and a female resident's sexual assault allegation to the public.{{cite web|date=2017-09-28|title=Evanston City Council Votes To Take FOIA System Offline, Reconsider Clerk's Role|url=https://patch.com/illinois/evanston/evanston-city-council-votes-take-foia-system-offline-reconsider-clerks-role|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston, IL Patch|language=en}}{{cite web|last=Glick|first=Molly|date=2017-09-26|title=Council suspends online database after juveniles', sexual assault survivors' names disclosed|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2017/09/26/city/council-suspends-online-database-juveniles-sexual-assault-survivors-names-disclosed/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} Hagerty and the council, under Alderman Don Wilson's leadership, passed a measure temporarily taking down the public FOIA system, Next Request, in order to protect the privacy of residents.

After years of failing to reach an agreement on a new water contract, Evanston asked the Court to set the new wholesale price of water with Skokie.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|date=2017-09-27|title=Evanston sues Skokie over water rate|url=http://evanstonnow.com/evanston-sues-skokie-over-water-rate/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} Soon thereafter, Skokie filed a federal lawsuit against Evanston and Hagerty claiming the city was gauging Skokie and violating their constitutional right to water.{{cite web|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/chicago-suburb-fires-new-salvo-in-water-war/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.courthousenews.com|title=Chicago Suburb Fires New Salvo in Water War }} Hagerty insisted that Skokie needed to pay its fair share and that Evanston residents would no longer subsidize Skokie's water.{{cite web|date=2018-06-23|title=Mayor: Skokie needs to pay 'fair share' for water|url=http://evanstonnow.com/mayor-skokie-needs-to-pay-fair-share-for-water/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=After lawsuit, Evanston mayor says Skokie must 'pay its fair share' for Lake Michigan water|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-federal-water-lawsuit-response-tl-0628-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=26 June 2018 }}{{cite web|title=Time for Skokie to Pay Its Fair Share for Water|url=https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILEVANSTON/bulletins/1f95738|access-date=2022-02-06|website=City of Evanston|language=en}} Skokie then abruptly canceled a mutual aid agreement,{{cite web|url=https://evanstonnow.com/skokie-evanston-to-share-fire-training-site/|title = Skokie, Evanston to share fire training site|date = 11 October 2012}} disallowing Evanston Fire to use Skokie's Fire Training facility. After three years of legal battles with the federal court dismissing Skokie's lawsuit, Evanston and Skokie agreed on a new 20 year wholesale water contract, with Skokie paying a rate that covered all of Evanston's operational, maintenance, and distribution costs.{{cite web|last=Handler|first=Samantha|date=2019-09-27|title=Federal court dismisses Skokie's lawsuit over Evanston water rates|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2019/09/27/top-stories/federal-court-dismisses-skokies-lawsuit-over-evanston-water-rates/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}}{{cite web|date=2021-04-16|title=Evanston and Skokie Set to Enter New 20-Year Water Contract|url=https://patch.com/illinois/skokie/evanston-skokie-set-enter-new-20-year-water-contract|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Skokie, IL Patch|language=en}} Skokie also reopened its fire training facility to the Evanston Fire Department.

In an effort to protect resident's right to privacy, Hagerty, the City Attorney, and City Council refused to grant the Clerk the right to view body worn police camera recordings of non-arrested subjects, nor review and determine what is attorney-client privileged information.{{cite web|last=Esparza|first=Julia|date=2019-05-09|title=City Clerk Devon Reid sues Evanston over access to FOIA information|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2019/05/09/city/officer-in-charge-of-foia-requests-sues-evanston-over-access-to-information/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} Hagerty and the City insisted that by law the only people who could review body worn police camera recordings of non-arrested subjects are the police or the subject of the video (or his or her attorney) but not any other City or elected officials, including the Clerk or the Mayor. After the Council refused to acquiesce to his demands, the Clerk filed a lawsuit against the City asking the Court to decide in his favor.{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Evanston city clerk amends FOIA lawsuit against city after council vote|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-reid-evanston-lawsuit-hearing-tl-0620-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=13 June 2019 }} In August 2019, Clerk Reid withdrew his lawsuit claiming that the council's move to add additional FOIA Officers, including one from the Police Department, removed his standing.{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Lawsuit filed by Evanston city clerk against city officials over FOIA practices dismissed|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-city-manager-dismisses-lawsuit-tl-0815-20190813-gsw4y73qyfbsvat4kjbyokl6fm-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=12 August 2019 }}

Due to the high volume{{Cite web |title=City of Evanston City Council Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 28, 2019 |url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/home/showpublisheddocument/48645/636948088662370000}} of FOIA requests (from 700 to 1400 annually), Hagerty moved to add FOIA officers.{{cite web|date=2017-09-28|title=Clerk's role as FOIA officer in doubt|url=http://evanstonnow.com/clerks-role-as-foia-officer-in-doubt/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} This was met with outrage by Reid and his supporters who accused Hagerty of racism and trying to subvert the will of the people.{{cite web|last=Bian|first=Andrea|date=2019-07-23|title=Residents discuss Reid, Northwestern Lincoln St. beach presence|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2019/07/23/city/city-council-hears-comments-regarding-devon-reid-northwestern-beach-presence/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}}{{Citation|title=Evanston City Council Meeting 5-28-2019| date=30 May 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9aXCDU7ifU|language=en|access-date=2022-02-06}} On a 6–3 vote, with Alderman Fleming, Rue Simmons, and Rainey voting no, the City added four additional FOIA officers. Angry, and shouting "Shame on you!", Reid abruptly left the City Council meeting never to return that evening.{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Evanston city clerk leaves meeting after aldermen vote to add additional FOIA officers|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-evanston-council-adds-foia-officers-tl-0606-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=29 May 2019 }}

Three city employees filed unhealthy workplace complaints against City Clerk Devon Reid, alleging that he harassed and intimidated the city attorney, created an unhealthy work environment in the city clerk's office, and attempted to obstruct his deputy's attempt to join a labor union.{{cite web|date=2019-07-17|title=City Council Considers Censure Of Clerk Over Staff Complaints|url=https://patch.com/illinois/evanston/city-council-considers-censure-clerk-over-staff-complaints|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston, IL Patch|language=en}} Given that these allegations were made against an elected official, the city manager hired outside counsel to investigate, instead of the Department of Human Resources. The allegations were sustained by the independent counsel and Hagerty moved to have the City Council censure the city clerk.{{Cite web |title=City of Evanston City Council Regular Meeting Monday, June 15, 2019 |url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/home/showpublisheddocument/49526/636985312335100000}}{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|date=2019-07-16|title=City: Reid behavior anti-union, misogynist, illegal|url=http://evanstonnow.com/city-reid-behavior-anti-union-misogynist-illegal/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|date=2019-08-01|title=Controversy dogged city clerk last month|url=http://evanstonnow.com/controversy-dogged-city-clerk-last-month/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} The clerk and his supporters accused Hagerty of racism, claimed the outside counsel was not independent, and insisted that details of the investigation be made public, including the employees who made these accusations.{{Cite web |title=City of Evanston City Council Regular Meeting Monday, July 15th, 2019 |url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/home/showpublisheddocument/50617/637043979008070000}} On a 5–4 vote, the motion to censure the city clerk was tabled and never revisited.{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Evanston council members table effort to censure city clerk after allegations of harassment and retaliation|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-devon-reid-censure-workplace-harassment-tl-0718-20190716-rgw7qcxmqvabnltl7iphmdifry-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=16 July 2019 }} Voting in favor of tabling the censure were Aldermen Braithwaite, Rue Simmons, Suffredin, Rainey, and Fleming.

Soon after the vote to censure the city clerk, the highly confidential executive session report describing the details of his misconduct and the employees who filed the complaints, plus concerns of him recording conversations with others without their knowledge, including two aldermen, was released to the media.{{Cite news|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Evanston mayor calls for county investigation into leaked documents containing harassment allegations against City Clerk Devon Reid|language=en-US|work=chicagotribune.com|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-evanston-mayor-leak-investigation-tl-0801-20190731-yycknvygkbdmfo4frejdve73zm-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06}}{{cite web|last=Lustig|first=Rebecca|title=Evanston City Clerk investigation comes to light following leak|url=https://www.evanstonian.net/news/2019/09/27/evanston-city-clerk-investigation-comes-to-light-following-leak/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Evanstonian}} The mayor expressed outrage that someone on the council or in the city manager's office would violate laws established to protect the privacy of employees and the confidentiality of discussions in executive session.{{cite web|last=Seidenberg|first=Bob|date=2019-08-08|title=Mayor Calls For Outside Investigation Of Release Of Confidential Materials|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2019/08/08/mayor-calls-for-outside-investigation-of-release-of-confidential-materials/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}}

Due to the arrest{{cite web|url=https://evanstonnow.com/clerk-arrested-on-failure-to-appear-warrant/|title = Clerk arrested on failure to appear warrant|date = 19 July 2019}} of the city clerk by the Evanston Police Department, Hagerty sent a confidential letter to the Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart{{Cite web |date=2019-07-26 |title=Letter from Mayor Stephen H. Hagerty to Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart |url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=49856}} asking him to conduct an investigation into the leak in order to restore the confidence of employees and the public in the city's ability to effectively manage its affairs.{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=During meeting at Evanston police station, city clerk arrested on traffic warrant|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-city-clerk-reid-warrant-arrest-tl-0725-20190719-xkykzn4yknexlasbe3ecu4jkbe-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=19 July 2019 }}{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Evanston mayor calls for county investigation into leaked documents containing harassment allegations against City Clerk Devon Reid|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-evanston-mayor-leak-investigation-tl-0801-20190731-yycknvygkbdmfo4frejdve73zm-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=31 July 2019 }} The same day, Hagerty notified the Council of his request. Less than eight business hours later, WGN reported on the mayor's request for an investigation.{{cite web|date=2019-07-29|title=Evanston mayor requests criminal investigation into entire city council|url=https://wgntv.com/news/evanston-mayor-requests-criminal-investigation-into-entire-city-council/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=WGN-TV|language=en-US}} The city clerk subsequently conducted an interview with WGN referring to Hagerty's "Trumpian" ways in calling for an investigation of this leaked report.{{cite web|date=2019-07-30|title=Evanston city clerk speaks out after mayor requests city council investigation|url=https://wgntv.com/news/evanston-city-clerk-speaks-out-after-mayor-requests-city-council-investigation/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=WGN-TV|language=en-US}} On August 2, 2019, Hagerty informed the community of his request and the importance of resetting standards and restoring trust.

In 2020, Devon Reid, the city clerk, and Misty Witenberg, publisher of Evanston Leads, charged Hagerty with abuse of power and intimidation, claiming he initiated the outside investigation into Reid.{{cite web|last=Gavin|first=Mary|date=2020-09-03|title=Board of Ethics Hears Reid/Witenberg Complaints Against Mayor, Takes Matter Under Advisement|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2020/09/03/board-of-ethics-hears-reid-witenberg-complaints-against-mayor-takes-matter-under-advisement/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}} The ethics board exonerated Hagerty and denounced Reid for his behavior during the five-hour ethics board hearing in which Reid shared with the public confidential human resource information that violated the privacy of city employees, according to the HR director.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-04 |title=City of Evanston Board of Ethics Findings and Order |url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/home/showpublisheddocument/60167/637402738580930000}}{{cite web|date=2020-11-07|title=Ethics board rejects clerk's claims against mayor|url=http://evanstonnow.com/ethics-board-rejects-clerks-claims-against-mayor/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}}

Hagerty was accused by Reid and his supporters of racism and badgering when he repeatedly inquired where approximately a dozen missing executive session recordings and meeting minutes were.{{cite web|last=Gavin|first=Mary|date=2020-10-13|title=The Case of the Missing Minutes|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2020/10/13/the-case-of-the-missing-minutes/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=Seidenberg|first=Bob|date=2020-08-06|title=Council, City Clerk Spar Over Number of Missing Minutes|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2020/08/06/council-city-clerk-spar-over-number-of-missing-minutes/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}} After more than a year, Reid claimed that he had a recording malfunction and did not take any written notes so he could not produce the recording or minutes for the 12 executive session meetings.

After Jacob Blake, whose grandfather served as a prominent pastor in Evanston, by police in Waukegan, Illinois, Hagerty was invited to speak at a lament organized by faith leaders in Evanston.{{cite web|title=Evanston Mayor Calls Jacob Blake Shooting a 'Horrific Event' in New Statement|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/evanston-mayor-calls-jacob-blake-shooting-a-horrific-event-in-new-statement/2328531/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=NBC Chicago|date=25 August 2020 |language=en-US}}{{cite web|date=2020-08-30|title=Faith Community Laments the Shooting of Jacob Blake, Prays for Family, Lifts Up Hope|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2020/08/30/faith-community-laments-the-shooting-of-jacob-blake-prays-for-family-lifts-up-hope/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=Edquist|first=Kaitlin|title='We will unite to fight': Evanston residents, leaders grieve, pray and demand change following the shooting of Jacob Blake|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-jacob-blake-vigil-evanston-church-tl-0903-20200831-7ygf73767vbyzcdclxy74arrsi-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=30 August 2020 }} Soon after the lament, some residents voiced outrage that Hagerty was invited to speak, given his lack of prior support for Devon Reid. A petition was circulated calling on the faith and nonprofit communities to #silencethehag for three months because he had "no ethical standing" in the community.{{cite web|url=https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/an-ethical-call-for-a-moratorium-on-mayor-haggerty-speaking-at-moral-events?fbclid=IwAR2yPOIfjpQY7kFcfi7pLtHqRsru4hsTxHidgc96-ZnuKr7Dk16sH4MjCPw|title = An Ethical Call for a Moratorium on Mayor Hagerty Speaking at Moral Events}}

After eight years of consideration{{cite web|url=https://evanstonroundtable.com/2015/05/20/harley-clarke-committee-presents-five-options-for-mansions-future/|title=Harley Clarke Committee Presents Five Options for Mansion's Future|date=20 May 2015}} and finding{{cite web|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2019/05/26/multimedia/audio/the-weekly-a-history-of-the-harley-clarke-mansion/|title=The Weekly: A history of the Harley Clarke mansion|date=26 May 2019}} every solution{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-harley-clarke-request-for-proposals-tl-0314-story.html|title = Evanston to again ask for Harley Clarke Mansion proposals; officials open to private sale|website = Chicago Tribune| date=12 March 2019 }} unacceptable, the Council voted 5–4 vote to accept a $400K gift from the Evanston Lighthouse Dunes group and demolish the dilapidated Harley Clarke Mansion, turning the area into additional open lakefront space.{{cite web|last=Koziarz|first=Jay|date=2018-07-25|title=Evanston moves to demolition historic Harley Clarke Mansion|url=https://chicago.curbed.com/2018/7/25/17612888/evanston-preservation-harley-clarke-mansion-demolition|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Curbed Chicago|language=en}}{{cite web|title=The Fight to Save Evanston's Harley Clarke Mansion|url=https://news.wttw.com/2018/05/09/fight-save-evanston-s-harley-clarke-mansion|access-date=2022-02-06|website=WTTW News|language=en}} Hagerty, who lives nearby, was attacked for this decision under the assertion that as a nearby neighbor he wanted more open space. Hagerty was on record{{Cite web |date=2015-06-08 |title=Letter from Stephen H. Hagerty, Chair, Harley Clarke Citizens' Advisory Committee, to the Evanston City Council |url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/home/showpublisheddocument/32374/636500530047170000}} for wanting to save the mansion and suggested that to do so successfully it ought to be leased long term to a private entity with the means to repair the mansion and offer a quasi-public benefit (e.g., a restaurant, banquet hall, inn, etc.). Upset by the council's decision, some residents initiated a referendum campaign to save the mansion.{{cite web|last=Handler|first=Samantha|date=2019-05-20|title=In Focus: How Harley Clarke Mansion became Evanston's hot-button issue|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2019/05/20/top-stories/in-focus-how-the-harley-clarke-mansion-became-evanstons-most-hotly-contested-issue/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} The advisory referendum asked, "Shall the City of Evanston protect from demolition and preserve the landmark Harley Clarke buildings and gardens next to Lighthouse Beach, for us and access as public property, consistent with the Evanston Lakefront Master Plan, at minimal or no cost to Evanston taxpayers?" 80% of residents responded yes.{{cite web|last=Cox|first=Brian L.|title=Voters give a resounding "yes" to referendum on saving Harley Clarke Mansion|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-election-day-harley-clarke-mansion-referendum-tl-1115-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=7 November 2018 }}{{cite web|title=Public Votes to Save Harley Clarke House and Garden |url=https://www.tclf.org/public-votes-save-harley-clarke-house-and-garden|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.tclf.org}} The Council took another vote after the referendum and voted 9–0 to reconsider other options besides demolition.{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=In a reversal, Evanston aldermen vote to halt Harley Clarke Mansion demolition plans|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-harley-clarke-demolition-stopped-tl-1213-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=11 December 2018 }} The city ultimately signed a 40-year lease with the Artist Book House to renovate and operate the house.{{cite web|last=Seidenberg|first=Bob|date=2021-03-09|title=Artists Book House Is the Choice for Reuse of the Harley Clarke Mansion|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2021/03/09/artists-book-house-is-the-choice-for-reuse-of-the-harley-clarke-mansion/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}}

After the Harley Clarke referendum prevailed, the organizers, along with former IllinoisGovernor Pat Quinn, advocated for the Evanston Voter Initiative, a referendum that would allow voters to place binding referendums on the ballot.{{cite web|date=2019-12-29|title=How 'voter initiative' plan here differs from the only other one in Illinois|url=http://evanstonnow.com/how-voter-initiative-plan-here-differs-from-the-only-other-one-in-illinois/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} Although the group had 3,800 signatures, Hagerty and Alderman Ann Rainey, two of three members of the local election board, voted to sustain objections filed against the referendum after a two-part four-hour election board meeting.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzawQkyEY3I&feature=youtu.be|title=Electoral Board Meeting 1-9-2020|website=YouTube|date=15 January 2020 }}{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|date=2019-12-17|title=Voter initiative backers submit petitions|url=http://evanstonnow.com/voter-initiative-backers-submit-petitions/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}}{{cite web|date=2019-12-28|title=Objection filed to 'voter initiative' petitions|url=http://evanstonnow.com/objection-filed-to-voter-initiative-petitions/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} The third member was City Clerk Devon Reid, who voted in favor of allowing the referendum to move onto the ballot.{{cite web|last=Yarger|first=Emma|date=2020-01-16|title=Electoral Board sustains objection to Evanston Voter Initiative|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2020/01/16/city/electoral-board-sustains-objection-to-evanston-voter-initiative/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} The Evanston Voter Initiative group subsequently challenged the decision in court and lost at every level, including the Illinois State Court of Appeals.{{cite web|title=Harned v. Evanston Electoral Board|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/illinois/court-of-appeals-first-appellate-district/2020/1-20-0314.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Justia Law|language=en}}{{cite web|date=2020-02-13|title=Judge Keeps Evanston Voter Initiative Referendum Off Ballot|url=https://patch.com/illinois/evanston/judge-keeps-evanston-voter-initiative-referendum-ballot|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston, IL Patch|language=en}}{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Appellate court judge upholds decision to keep Evanston Voter Initiative referendum off the ballot|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-ballot-initiative-appeal-affirmed-tl-0319-20200316-2jh5yomi6vaazk3vjotoo5eymy-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=16 March 2020 }} The Illinois State Supreme Court elected not to hear the case, thereby allowing the appeals court ruling to stand. Hagerty was criticized by the group for suppressing the voice of the people.{{Citation|title=Electoral Board Meeting 1-9-2020| date=15 January 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzawQkyEY3I|language=en|access-date=2022-02-06}} Hagerty contended he was supporting representative democracy, whereby our elected representatives make the decisions on our behalf.{{Citation|title=Electoral Board Meeting 1-15-2020| date=21 January 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn7ik8tTdJQ|language=en|access-date=2022-02-06}}

During the Fall of 2020, Northwestern University students along with other activists demanded the abolition of the university's Public Safety Department.{{cite web|date=2020-10-26|title=NU Community Not Cops maintains its demands despite Schapiro's refusal to abolish NUPD|url=http://northbynorthwestern.com/nu-community-not-cops-maintains-its-demands-despite-schapiros-refusal-to-abolish-nupd/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=North by Northwestern|language=en}}{{cite web|title=An Examination of Northwestern's Abolitionist Protest Movement|url=https://www.sceneandheardnu.com/content/an-examination-of-northwesterns-abolitionist-protest-movement|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Scene+Heard|date=21 October 2020 |language=en-US}} They held 30+ days of straight unannounced, pop-up protests, taking over intersections, marching downtown and through neighborhoods, and protesting in front the home of the university's president, Morton Shapiro's, as well as Hagerty's home. On Halloween night, approximately 300 protesters, dressed in black and carrying open umbrellas, marched through downtown Evanston.{{cite web|date=2020-11-02|title=Hundreds Of Northwestern Students Protest In Evanston, Clash With Police|url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/11/02/evanston-northwestern-protest-police-nu-community-not-cops/|access-date=2022-02-06|language=en-US}} Some protesters extensively graffitied Northwestern's administration building, and damaged windows at Whole Foods and other properties downtown.{{cite web|date=2020-10-22|title=Student Protesters, Northwestern's President Issue Angry Messages In Dispute Over Campus Police|url=https://www.wbez.org/stories/northwesterns-president-and-students-engage-in-heated-dispute-over-abolishing-campus-police/b08e0fcd-e9ed-4bea-bf83-216d4c1c46c9|access-date=2022-02-06|website=WBEZ Chicago|language=en}}{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|date=2020-10-19|title=Defund vandals deface downtown|url=http://evanstonnow.com/defund-vandals-deface-downtown/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} One police officer was injured, and one protester was arrested.{{cite web|last=Rosenberg-Douglas|first=Paige Fry, Jessica Villagomez, Katherine|title=Bricks thrown at Evanston police, Northwestern University students pepper-sprayed in off-campus clash as protesters again call on university to defund its police|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-northwestern-protest-20201101-zrfm7ocmbnejribnahrfheotfi-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=2 November 2020 }}{{cite web|last=Kirsch|first=Jesse|date=2020-11-01|title=Evanston protest turns violent overnight, 1 NU student arrested, police say|url=https://abc7chicago.com/evanston-rally-protest-news-northwestern/7540524/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=ABC7 Chicago|language=en}} Hagerty issued a public letter to President Shapiro within 24 hours stating that both police and protesters deserve to do their jobs peacefully, and when that doesn't occur, arrests will be made.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-01 |title=Letter from Mayor Stephen H. Hagerty to Northwestern President Morton Schapiro |url=https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/ILEVANSTON/2020/11/01/file_attachments/1588694/Hagerty%20Letter%20to%20Schapiro%20-%20Oct%2031%20Protests.pdf}}{{cite web|date=2020-11-03|title=Evanston Mayor sends letter to NU president in response to Saturday student protest|url=https://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/evanston-mayor-sends-letter-to-nu-president-in-response-to-saturday-student-protest/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Medill Reports Chicago|language=en-US}}

Soon after taking office, a Facebook group, Evanstonians for Responsible Planning, formed to oppose development supported by Hagerty and often the majority of the council.{{cite web|last=Wangman|first=Ryan|date=2017-10-11|title=Evanston aldermen stall on decision for Albion Residential's Sherman Avenue apartment proposal|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2017/10/10/city/aldermen-stall-sherman-avenue-apartment-decision/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} One development that outraged opponents was Albion Evanston, a 273-unit apartment building downtown along the Metra tracks. The project passed 5–4 with vocal opposition at the Council meeting.{{cite web|url=https://evanstonnow.com/council-oks-albion-high-rise-outrages-foes/|title = Council OKs Albion high-rise, outrages foes|date = 14 November 2017}}{{cite web|last=Koziarz|first=Jay|date=2017-11-15|title=Evanston council approves controversial high-rise|url=https://chicago.curbed.com/2017/11/15/16653948/evanston-high-rise-apartment-development|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Curbed Chicago|language=en}} Ultimately, Albion Evanston was recognized as one of the three best residential developments in the country by National Association of Home Builders.{{cite web|title=Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards: Home|url=https://www.nahbclassic.org/showpage_details.aspx?showPageID=45001|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.nahbclassic.org}}

At an election board meeting for the Harley Clarke Referendum in 2018, Lori Keenan, an unsuccessful 2021 Mayoral Candidate,{{cite web|url=https://patch.com/illinois/evanston/lori-keenan-running-mayor-evanston-illinois|title = Candidate Spotlight: Lori Keenan for Evanston Mayor|date = 23 February 2021}} moved to have Alderman Ann Rainey removed from the Election Board due to her support of the demolition of Harley Clarke to create additional open space.{{cite web|last=Simonette|first=Matt|date=2018-08-22|title=Board OKs Referendum on Mansion|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2018/08/22/board-oks-referendum-on-mansion/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}} During the meeting, Rainey left the dais, confronted Kennan, cursed at her, and issued a threat. Kenan, and two other residents, filed an ethics complaint against Rainey, charging her with intimidation.{{cite web|last=Karisch|first=Kristina|date=2018-10-02|title=Rainey accused of violating ethics code, donating to Harley Clarke demolition efforts|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2018/10/01/city/rainey-accused-of-violating-ethics-code-donating-to-harley-clarke-demolition-efforts/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} The ethics board concurred and recommended to the Council that Rainey be prohibited to vote on any matters related to Harley Clarke.{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Evanston ethics board finds Ald. Rainey violated rules in push to tear down Harley Clarke Mansion|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-rainey-ethics-board-harley-clarke-mansion-tl-1101-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=29 October 2018 }} Hagerty disagreed strongly with this recommendation because it would disenfranchise residents in the eighth Ward, and therefore recommended censure of Rainey.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|date=2018-11-28|title=Ethics board seeks to bar Rainey from mansion votes|url=http://evanstonnow.com/ethics-board-seeks-to-bar-rainey-from-mansion-votes/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Evanston Ald. Rainey spared from censure, blasted by mayor for attempts to 'incite and bully'|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/news/ct-evr-rules-committee-rainey-harley-clarke-tl-1206-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com}} On a 5–4 vote, with Rainey voting not to censure herself, the censure failed.{{cite web|last=Gavin|first=Larry|date=2018-12-04|title=Ald. Rainey Votes on Motion Dealing with Ethics Violations Found by Board of Ethics|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2018/12/04/ald-rainey-votes-on-motion-dealing-with-ethics-violations-found-by-board-of-ethics/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}} Hagerty publicly inquired why the subject of the censure gets to vote on their own censure, and the City Attorney responded that the City Code says each Alderman is to determine whether they need to recuse themselves from a vote, and, if so, explain why.

In the summer of 2019, City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz announced he was leaving to become the City Administrator in Issaquah, Washington.{{cite web|last=Bobkiewicz|first=Wally|date=2019-09-18|title=Guest Essay: Looking Back, By Wally Bobkiewicz|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2019/09/18/guest-essay-looking-back-by-wally-bobkiewicz/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}} The City Council asked Assistant City Manager, Erika Storlie, to become the interim City Manager.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|date=2018-01-10|title=Storlie named assistant city manager|url=http://evanstonnow.com/storlie-named-assistant-city-manager/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} In September 2019, the City staff suggested that the Council hire GovHR to lead the nationwide search. Alderman Suffredin and Fleming insisted that the Council interview the three finalist firms, thereby delaying the search five months.{{cite web|last=Seidenberg|first=Bob|date=2019-10-02|title=Aldermen Seek Right Fit on Firm to Conduct City Manager Search|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2019/10/02/aldermen-seek-right-fit-on-firm-to-conduct-city-manager-search/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}} In February, on a 7–2 vote, with Fleming and Suffredin voting no, the Council engaged GovHR.{{cite web|last=Lubbers|first=Max|date=2020-02-13|title=Everything Evanston: City manager search continues, Erika Storlie acts as interim|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2020/02/13/multimedia/audio/city-manager-search-continues-interim-city-manager-looks-to-year-ahead/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}}{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Evanston council approves schedule for city manager search|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-city-manager-search-tl-0305-20200302-p5qlivoq3je4xo72uabyfyzyly-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=2 March 2020 }} Soon thereafter, the COVID-19 pandemic closed down Illinois and Evanston, and Hagerty declared a local state of emergency.{{cite web|title=News List {{!}} City of Evanston|url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/Home/Components/News/News/3769/17|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.cityofevanston.org}} On May 26, 2020, at the City Council meeting, Hagerty suggested that, given the pandemic and the excellent work of Erika Storlie, the Council consider{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=9799&v=aM2mo14BJp4&feature=youtu.be|title = Evanston City Council Meeting 5-26-2020|website = YouTube| date=27 May 2020 }} disbanding the search, which had yet to really begin, and grant the permanent job to Storlie.{{cite web|last=Dey|first=Sneha|date=2020-05-29|title=City may end nationwide city manager search, considers Erika Storlie as a candidate|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2020/05/29/city/city-may-end-nationwide-city-manager-search-considers-erika-storlie-as-a-candidate/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} The majority of the Council expressed interest in this path forward. However, prior to the next Council meeting, with protests over George Floyd's murder rising, opposition to Hagerty's recommendation mounted.{{cite web|date=2020-06-16|title=Evanston continues city manager search|url=https://chronicleillinois.com/news/cook-county-news/evanston-continues-city-manager-search/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Chronicle Media|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=Dey|first=Sneha|date=2020-06-09|title=City Council to move forward with nationwide search for city manager|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2020/06/09/city/city-council-to-move-forward-with-nationwide-search-for-city-manager/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Daily Northwestern}} On July 10, 2020, Erika Storlie requested that the City proceed with a national search. After completion of a national search, Erika Storlie was appointed the City Manager of Evanston in October 2020.{{cite web|date=2020-10-21|title=Divided Evanston City Council Approves City Manager Contract|url=https://patch.com/illinois/evanston/divided-evanston-city-council-approves-city-manager-contract|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston, IL Patch|language=en}}{{cite web|last=Bookwalter|first=Genevieve|title=Evanston City Council plans to appoint longtime staffer Erika Storlie as next city manager|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-city-manager-appointment-tl-1015-20201013-iwhyc3ssxzdjlpyuvx36x3tiaq-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=13 October 2020 }} The evening of her appointment some residents protested her selection. Hagerty described in an Op-Ed the disconnect between transparency and disagreement.{{cite web|last=Hagerty|first=Stephen|date=2020-10-22|title=Mayor Stephen Hagerty: The Disconnect Between Transparency and Disagreement|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2020/10/22/mayor-stephen-hagerty-the-disconnect-between-transparency-and-disagreement/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}}

Wanting to bring attention to the importance of preventative care, especially during the pandemic, Hagerty chose to have a colonoscopy rather than attend the City Council meeting on December 14, 2020.{{cite web|date=2020-12-11|title='We can't put it off': Evanston mayor to skip City Council meeting for colonoscopy, stresses importance of preventative care|url=https://www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news/local/evanston-mayor-to-skip-city-council-meeting-for-colonoscopy|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.audacy.com|language=en}} Despite the advances in colonoscopy video technology, Mayor Hagerty's procedure was not streamed live on local television or Facebook Live.{{cite web|title=News List {{!}} City of Evanston|url=https://www.cityofevanston.org/Home/Components/News/News/5102/17#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20Mayor%20Hagerty%20said%20he,we%20should%20all%20take%20seriously.%22|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.cityofevanston.org}}

Due to vehicle ramming attacks,{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/11/22/vehicle-ramming-attacks/ |title=Car-ramming incidents are increasingly common. Waukesha, Wis., parade crash is the latest. |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2021-11-22 |accessdate=2022-06-11}} the City of Evanston deployed the Cook County Emergency Command Vehicle as both a security command center and physical barrier to the Custer Street Arts Fair in Evanston.{{Cite news|date=2019-06-26|title=Public Safety, Public Vehicle and Very Public Concerns About Cook County DHS Vehicle at Custer Street Fair - Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US|work=Evanston RoundTable|url=https://evanstonroundtable.com/2019/06/26/public-safety-public-vehicle-and-very-public-concerns-about-cook-county-dhs-vehicle-at-custer-street-fair/|access-date=2022-02-06}} Four hours into the first day of the two-day street festival, protesters arrived at the fair and took to social media claiming that the vehicle was deployed by Homeland Security to round up undocumented immigrants.{{cite web|last=Fisher|first=Jennifer|title=Use of county Homeland Security vehicle at Evanston street fair sparks outcry amid threats of ICE raids|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-custer-fair-truck-controversy-tl-0704-20190627-7hcvg7bbcvc2tmojrbpzx7weli-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=27 June 2019 }} Hagerty issued a statement via the City claiming the vehicle was there to protect fairgoers and to serve as a command center should there be any public safety incidents. Four months later, Cook County changed the department's name from the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to the Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security.{{cite web|last=Fisher|first=Jennifer|title=After ICE raid concerns at Evanston street fair, Cook County drops 'homeland security' from department's name|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-homeland-security-name-change-tl-1031-20191028-ev4rofqotvadtpcgs3vmjthdhe-story.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=chicagotribune.com|date=28 October 2019 }}

Hagerty announced in October 2020 that he would not seek re-election to another term in office. In his farewell address, Hagerty asked Evanstonians not to let falsehoods replace facts, the overly critical replace critical thinking, or division to replace unity.{{cite web|title=Farewell & Thank You!|url=https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILEVANSTON/bulletins/2d878b3|access-date=2022-02-06|website=City of Evanston|language=en}}

Asked in his final state of the City address to reflect on his favorite moment as Mayor, Hagerty described the opportunity his 10-year-old son had to meet Joe Biden at Northwestern University, who gave him a command coin and a few dollars to buy an ice cream.{{Citation|title=STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS 2021| date=9 April 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWx1B_9Hj6A|language=en|access-date=2022-02-06}}{{cite web|title=Photos: Joe Biden Discusses Income Inequality at Northwestern|url=https://news.wttw.com/2018/03/09/photos-joe-biden-discusses-income-inequality-northwestern|access-date=2022-02-06|website=WTTW News|language=en}}{{cite web|last1=R|first1=Heidi|last2=hava|date=2021-04-15|title=Mayor Hagerty's State of the City Address Focuses on Challenges and Opportunities Ahead|url=http://evanstonroundtable.com/2021/04/14/mayor-hagertys-state-of-the-city-address-focuses-on-challenges-and-opportunities-ahead/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston RoundTable|language=en-US}}

Hagerty endorsed Daniel Biss to replace him as Mayor. During the campaign, Biss accused a local PAC, Evanston Together, of using "dark money" to advocate for certain candidates who supported a City Manager form of government.{{cite web|date=2021-03-31|title='Together' group pledges to reveal donors|url=http://evanstonnow.com/together-group-pledges-to-reveal-donors/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston Now|language=en-US}} It was revealed that Hagerty provided funds to the Evanston Together PAC and that the PAC may have violated campaign finance reporting requirements.{{cite web|date=2021-04-02|title=Evanston Together LLC Violated Campaign Finance Laws, Filing Says|url=https://patch.com/illinois/evanston/evanston-together-violated-campaign-finance-laws-filing-suggests|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Evanston, IL Patch|language=en}}

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Category:Living people

Category:Mayors of Evanston, Illinois

Category:Businesspeople from Evanston, Illinois

Category:Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs alumni

Category:People from Attleboro, Massachusetts

Category:Illinois Democrats

Category:20th-century American businesspeople

Category:21st-century American businesspeople

Category:21st-century mayors of places in Illinois

Category:1968 births

Category:David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics alumni