EVANSTON, IL - Mayor Daniel Biss and the Evanston City Council approved the appointment of John Fournier as the next city manager at the Monday, May 23 City Council meeting. John is set to begin his position on July 18. 

John Fournier is the assistant city administrator of the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan where he helps lead transformational changes through a commitment to multi-modal transportation infrastructure and programs, ambitious alternative energy initiatives to meet the pressing challenges posed by global climate change, and–as the interim human resources director for two years–helped to make Ann Arbor an innovative and challenging workplace of choice for talented persons interested in careers in public service. 

Prior to this, John worked in the City of Pittsburgh. As the chief of staff to a member of City Council, the deputy chief of staff to current Mayor Bill Peduto, and finally as the director of on-street and metered parking for the City of Pittsburgh, John helped restructure Pittsburgh’s finances, implement technology forward solutions that revolutionized the city’s curb-space management programs, and pursued transformational investments in Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods that have brought life back to the city’s main streets.

“John Fournier comes to Evanston with a wealth of knowledge and experience on a number of key issues facing our community, from climate action to management of complex budgets. I am excited about what I think we'll be able to accomplish together in advancing a bold and transformational agenda for the City,” said Mayor Biss.

“I am very excited to come to Evanston, and work to help advance this city’s ambitious agenda. Together, with the Council, the staff and the community I know that we are going to do special things,” said Fournier.

Earlier this year, the City Council hired a recruitment firm, Stanton Chase, to coordinate a nationwide recruitment process for Evanston’s next city manager. Building on the work of the previous recruitment firm, Stanton Chase performed a targeted, nationwide search, identifying 75 potential candidates. City Council then narrowed the candidate pool and conducted interviews with five semi-finalists in April followed by second interviews with three candidates. The Council then selected two finalists to present to the community. In early May, these candidates participated in a virtual town hall in order to answer pre-submitted questions from the community. Following the town hall, a feedback survey was made available to the community. The two finalists were then interviewed by a panel of community stakeholders,  City staff directors, and non-senior City staff. The panels and survey results provided feedback and insight on the finalists, which was considered by City Council in its decision.

For more information, visit cityofevanston.org/managersearch or call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may simply dial 311 in Evanston