Short answer
An acting mayor chosen by the City Council from its own nine members, with five votes. The council is expected to make the pick at its regular meeting on October 26, 2026. [1][2]
The rules
- The acting mayor must be a sitting councilmember. [3]
- Five of nine votes are needed. The council restored the five-vote rule in June 2026. [1]
- An acting mayor who keeps their council seat keeps only their council vote and has no veto. One who resigns the council seat gets the mayor’s vote and veto power. [3]
- The acting mayor serves until the mayor elected in 2027 takes office. [4][1]
The timing
A special meeting had been set for October 19. The RoundTable reports that the mayor pro tem, Ald. Clare Kelly (1st Ward), plans to cancel it, with the appointment made at the October 26 regular meeting instead. [2]
The last time
Evanston last had an acting mayor in 1970, Ald. Peter Jans. [4]
We will update this page after the council votes.