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The Daily Northwestern Wednesday, May 28, 2025

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Activists rally at Lobby Day Activists push for climate action legislation By SOPHIE BAKER

the daily northwestern

When activist Jeremy Cuebas was working for the community development-focused Northwest Center, some of his students were diagnosed with asthma out of the blue. After reading about diesel pollution in the community, Cuebas, now the executive director of the Grassroots Empowerment Mission, decided he had no choice but to become involved in the climate movement. “With that data and some of the stories that we’re hearing from our young people, I thought that it was our duty to be involved,” Cuebas said. Wednesday, Cuebas joined about 400 community members in Springfield for the annual Climate Action Lobby Day, where advocates spoke with lawmakers and rallied in support of climate legislation. Hannah Flath, the senior climate communications manager for the Illinois Environmental Council, said the day gave advocates a unique

opportunity to speak directly to elected representatives. “Our lawmakers work for us,” Flath said. “And so lobby day gives constituents across the state the opportunity to voice their opinions with their lawmakers and urge them to take action.” Flath added that even for those whose representatives support climate action, the lobby day was also a time to thank lawmakers for their work. This year, a contingent from Climate Action Evanston participated in the lobby day for the first time, CAE Executive Director Jack Jordan said. While Climate Action Evanston doesn’t typically participate in lobbying activities for state bills, Jordan said he was excited to attend and interact with other advocates. “It’s really a great place to meet our fellow advocates and to see how we can collaborate,” Jordan said. Throughout the day, attendees stressed the importance of three specific bills: the Clean and Healthy Buildings Act, the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act and the Clean and Equitable Transportation Act. The Clean and Healthy

» See CLIMATE, page 15

Illustration by Cayla Labgold-Carroll

In March, the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, chaired by Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), sent letters to the presidents of six universities, requesting information about students’ ties to China.

NUGW backs Chinese students

Signed open letter aims to protect student data from federal government By SIDDARTH SIVARAMAN

the daily northwestern @sidvaraman

The Northwestern University Graduate Workers union signed

an open letter to universities Thursday calling on them to reject a congressional committee’s requests for information about Chinese nationals on their campuses. The open letter responded

to letters sent in March by the House of Representatives Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party to the presidents of Carnegie Mellon

University, Purdue University, Stanford University, the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign, the University of Maryland and the University of

» See CHINA, page 15

31-story Davis St. building proposed NU construction The high-rise development has drawn mixed reactions from residents By SOPHIE BAKER

the daily northwestern

A proposed 333 foot-tall apartment building in downtown Evanston could replace Orrington Plaza to become the city’s tallest building. The proposed residential development on 605 Davis St. would be one of the tallest buildings in the Chicago suburbs. Chicago-based co-developers Vermilion Development and Campbell Coyle said the property, which is situated on a vacant grass lot and a defunct Chase Bank drive-through, would draw foot-traffic to downtown businesses and raise property tax revenue. “The first thing that it will do is (bring) more people to live in Evanston,” said Jonathan Perman, a spokesperson representing the development. “Evanston hasn’t grown at all in half a century.” Yet, at community meetings, some residents have expressed concerns about the 31-story building’s height. Ald. Clare Kelly (1st) told The Daily she was “deeply

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concerned” about the scale of the proposal, especially as the city is in the midst of developing a comprehensive plan that would outline a 20-year roadmap for the city’s future. Kelly added the “overwhelming majority” of feedback she’s received has been from community members opposed to the height and density of the proposed highrise. “Any project seeking such drastic or substantial variances to our current zoning should be deferred until we get this plan done and completed,” Kelly said. “I’m completely supportive of the development of our downtown, but I think it has to be guided by a clear community-driven vision.” Still, Perman said these dissenting voices are limited to a small subsection of the population. Some residents, including Jean Cunningham, are excited about the proposal. “I think something needs to be done with that location — it’s not usable,” Cunningham said. “I went to the input meeting, and I thought it was good that they were getting

projects near end Deering Library, Cohen Lawn to open next year By ALEXIA SEXTOU

the daily northwestern

Sophie Baker/The Daily Northwestern

The proposed residential development on 605 Davis St. would be situated on a vacant grass lot and a defunct Chase Bank drive-through.

input from the community, and I liked the way the building looked.” Cunningham added that she appreciated how the developers had considered pedestrians in their proposal. Dow ntow n Evanston

Executive Director Andy Vick, meanwhile, echoed Perman’s sentiments about increasing foot traffic in the area. He said there is a “direct correlation” between having more density

» See 605 DAVIS, page 15

From a lakeside pub to a reimagined Deering Library interior, Northwestern’s campus is undergoing a construction transformation — with key projects nearing completion as early as Fall Quarter, said Corbin Smyth, executive director of Norris University Center. The University currently has more than 180 active renovation and construction projects underway, totaling over $2 billion, according to Larry Blouin, senior director of capital programs for facilities. Many of them are intended to enhance student life, improve building performance and promote sustainable infrastructure, he said. Cohen Lawn Construction on Cohen Lawn on the east side of Norris

is nearing completion and will be open next academic year, Smyth said. Students will be welcomed back to an updated plaza space equipped for programming, lounging and largescale campus events by the start of Fall Quarter, he said. Funded by a series of donations, the Cohen Lawn redevelopment includes a new performance pavilion, an open-air plaza and a pub, which Smyth said will feature a small indoor stage and late-night food options. “It really is completely transforming what was just a grassy lawn area into a space that has multiple functions,” Smyth said. “It’s going to provide this new opportunity for gathering, for hanging out, for formal programs and events — and just as a space to feel better.” The pub will operate as an allages restaurant and host student group programming like karaoke and trivia nights. It will also serve beer and wine to those of legal age, Smyth said. While the plaza and lawn are

» See CONSTRUCTION, page 15