---
title: Jane Grover — Mayor of Evanston
url: https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/jane-grover/
updated: 2026-10-06
source_policy: every fact carries a numbered source; [n] markers refer to the Sources list
---

[Home](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/) / [Mayor of Evanston](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/) / Jane Grover

Photo: Grover campaign

 Mayor of Evanston · Announced · not yet filed

# Jane Grover

Principal, Communications & Engagement, at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Former 7th Ward alder. [1][2]

## At a glance

- Declared — August 14, 2026.[2]
- Campaign committee — Grover for Evanston (ISBE ID 41351).[3]
- Occupation — Principal, Communications & Engagement, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). Says she would resign from CMAP if elected.[1][2]
- Public office — 7th Ward alder, 2009–2015. Reelected unopposed in 2013; resigned at the end of 2015 to join CMAP.[2][4]
- In Evanston — Since 1994.[5]
- Age — 63 (August 2026)[2]
- Education — Not yet confirmed from a primary source.
- Prior runs — 2009 and 2013, 7th Ward alder: won both. 2021, City Clerk: filed, then withdrew after an objection to her petitions.[2][4]
- Endorsements — None announced as of Oct 6, 2026.
## Background

Grover practiced general litigation at two Chicago law firms, then worked at the Evanston Community Foundation’s Leadership Evanston program; her campaign says she directed it, and the RoundTable describes her as its assistant director. [5][2] She served eight years on the city’s Mental Health Board and six on the Equity and Empowerment Commission. [2] As an alder she led Evanston’s ban on handheld phone use while driving. [6]

## Stated priorities

From the campaign’s website or announcement release. Listed, not evaluated.

- “Stabilize City’s Finances” [5]
- “Strengthen City Services” [5]
- “Move Evanston Forward” [5]

## Record

Facts from public records, campaign filings and published news reports, each checked against its primary source. Same categories and the same review for every candidate. Listed, not evaluated. Last reviewed Tue Oct 6, 2026.

### Campaign finance

- 2008–2010: Grover's first campaign committee, Citizens for Jane Grover (ISBE ID 21492), was created Nov. 25, 2008 and filed its final report Jan. 5, 2010.[7]
- 2008–2025: Federal Election Commission records list seven contributions from Grover between April 2008 and June 2025 totaling $646.25, counting each contribution routed through ActBlue once and excluding tips to ActBlue; they include $100 to Biss for Congress in the 2026 race for Illinois' 9th Congressional District, on June 24, 2025.[8]
- 2009–2025: Illinois State Board of Elections records list five itemized contributions from Grover to other Illinois political committees between November 2009 and January 2025, totaling $800: Quinn/Simon for Illinois ($300), Friends 4 Kerry ($200), Sheila Simon for Illinois ($175) and Friends of Jeff Smith ($125).[9]
- Aug 2026: On Aug. 14, 2026, Grover formed the candidate committee Grover for Evanston (ISBE ID 41351), with herself as treasurer and another individual as chair.[10]
- Aug 2026: Grover contributed $2,000 to Grover for Evanston in four $500 contributions between Aug. 26 and Sept. 2, 2026.[11]
- Oct 2026: Grover for Evanston's first quarterly report, covering Aug. 14 – Sept. 30, 2026 and filed Oct. 6, 2026, listed $16,460 in receipts, $4,734.76 in expenditures and $11,725.24 on hand.[12]
- Oct 2026: Of $14,050 in itemized individual contributions that Grover for Evanston reported for Aug. 14 – Sept. 30, 2026, excluding Grover's own, $750 (5.3%) came from Evanston ZIP codes and $13,050 (92.9%) from out-of-state addresses.[12]

### Public office

- Apr 2009: Grover was elected 7th Ward alderman on April 7, 2009 in a three-candidate race.[13]
- Jan 2010: On Jan. 25, 2010, the City Council voted, subject to a final vote at its next meeting, for an ordinance Grover proposed restricting drivers' use of handheld cell phones; the ban took effect March 15, 2010.[14][15]
- Dec 2011: The City Council approved the FY2012 budget, which raised the City's portion of the property tax 4.91% and water rates 5%; the RoundTable reported Alds. Fiske, Wilson and Burrus voted no, and Grover, who spoke at the meeting, was not among the no votes.[16]
- Oct 2012: Grover moved to grant Northwestern University's appeal of a Preservation Commission denial for its visitors center, and the City Council approved the appeal 6–2.[17]
- May 2013: On May 28, 2013, the City Council adopted 5–4 a two-year drone moratorium resolution that Grover brought forward; the Daily Northwestern described the resolution as proposed by the North Shore Coalition for Peace and Justice and as drafted by Grover.[18][19]
- Dec 2015: On Dec. 4, 2015, Grover announced her resignation as alderman effective Dec. 31, 2015, to take a position at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning; the Daily Northwestern reported she would begin at CMAP on Dec. 15, 2015.[20][21]
- Jul 2019: Minutes of the July 18, 2019 Equity and Empowerment Commission meeting record Grover as the commission's chair; the commission's reparations recommendations went to the City Council on Sept. 9, 2019.[22]

### Property and taxes

- Dec 2009: Grover and a second owner took title to 2677 Prairie Ave. by a warranty deed executed Dec. 31, 2009, for $600,000.[23]
- 2016–2026: U.S. Bank recorded foreclosure lis pendens notices against 2677 Prairie Ave. on March 2, 2016 (case 16 CH 2375) and May 6, 2019 (case 2019 CH 05621), naming Grover and a second owner as defendants; no judicial sale is recorded, a release of the mortgage was recorded Sept. 16, 2026, and the dockets were not reviewed.[24]

### Legal and regulatory

- Jan 2020: On Jan. 15, 2020, the Evanston Electoral Board voted 2–1 to sustain objections filed by Grover and two other residents that removed the Evanston Voter Initiative question from the March 2020 ballot; the Cook County Circuit Court and the Illinois Appellate Court affirmed the board.[25][26][27]
- Dec 2020: On Dec. 10, 2020, facing an objection that her City Clerk nominating petitions lacked enough valid signatures, Grover withdrew her motion to dismiss the objection before the Electoral Board ruled, saying she did not think she would prevail on appeal and did not want to use more public resources on the matter; she did not appear on the 2021 ballot.[28][29]
- Oct 2026: As of Oct. 6, 2026, the Illinois ARDC lists Jane Watson Grover, admitted Nov. 9, 1989, as "Not authorized to practice law as attorney is not currently registered with ARDC and has not demonstrated required MCLE compliance – Last Registered Year: 2020," with no public record of discipline; her campaign describes her law practice in the past tense.[30][31]

### Statements and conduct

- Jan 2015: Asked about police body cameras, Grover told the Daily Northwestern she would weigh their costs against their benefits if the issue came to the council and, noting that the department's racial makeup roughly matched the city's, said, "The Evanston police really do look like the community. We're not Ferguson. That's for sure."[32]
- Oct 2019: Planning and Development Committee minutes of Oct. 28, 2019 record Grover, as a resident, speaking in support of Northwestern's proposed text amendment on temporary events in the U2 zoning district.[33]
- Mar 2021: On March 2, 2021, an email sent under Grover's name and organized with former Ald. Delores Holmes and others invited community leaders to a meeting on a "counterpoint" to what it called "a small and determined group of residents, organized under several banners (perhaps OPAL, Community Alliance for Better Government, Reclaim Evanston)" ahead of the April 2021 election; the meeting did not take place.[34][35]
- Feb 2023: Grover was one of 18 named signers of the open letter launching Field of Opportunities, a group supporting Northwestern's Ryan Field rebuild and concerts.[36]
- Nov 2023: At the Nov. 30, 2023 Equity and Empowerment Commission meeting, Grover said the commission's issuing of a draft Gaza ceasefire resolution was a "self-inflicted wound" and that it was "not the role of this commission to venture into geopolitics"; the Daily Northwestern reported all seven commissioners voted to withdraw the resolution as written.[37][38]
- Dec 2023: On Dec. 6, 2023, Grover co-signed an Evanston RoundTable letter to the editor with Ann Rainey, former Mayor Stephen Hagerty and one other signer that supported the City Council's Ryan Field rezoning and criticized opponents' legal challenges.[39]
- Jan 2025: Grover spoke at the Jan. 8, 2025 Land Use Commission meeting in support of Envision Evanston 2045, saying the plan "should be about the next generations."[40]
- Aug 2026: Announcing her campaign on Aug. 14, 2026, Grover said she would resign from her CMAP position if elected mayor.[41]
- Sep 2023: The Evanston RoundTable reported that at the Land Use Commission's Sept. 6, 2023 hearing on Northwestern's Ryan Field proposals, Grover spoke as a representative of Field of Opportunities, saying, "What we're suggesting is that you look at this through an equity lens."[42]

Records reviewed for every candidate

Illinois State Board of Elections campaign-finance filings; City of Evanston, District 65 and park-district meeting records and payments; Cook County Assessor property and exemption records; Cook County recorded documents; federal and state court databases; Illinois professional-license and attorney-registration records; the candidate’s own websites and public social media; and Evanston RoundTable, Evanston Now, Daily Northwestern and other news archives. Property-tax exemption records are not yet shown for any candidate; they will be added for all candidates at the same time, once each can be confirmed from the same public tax-bill records.

Campaign links

- [groverforevanston.com ↗](https://www.groverforevanston.com/)
- [Facebook ↗](https://www.facebook.com/groverforevanston)
- [Instagram ↗](https://www.instagram.com/groverforevanston)
Also running · Mayor

- [Jeff Boarini](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/jeff-boarini/)
- [Jane Grover](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/jane-grover/)
- [Gilo Kwesi Logan](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/gilo-logan/)
- [Stephanie Mendoza](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/stephanie-mendoza/)
- [Elliot Oats](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/elliot-oats/)
- [Ann Rainey](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/ann-rainey/)

How this profile is made

Profiles use the same sections, in the same order, for every candidate. Facts come from the candidate’s own campaign materials, official records and published news reports, and each one is footnoted. Positions on specific city plans and votes — such as Envision Evanston 2045 — will be covered for every candidate together in “On the issues.” Candidates can submit information or corrections through the [About page](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/about/#candidates).

## Sources

1. Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning — Our team (staff directory) — https://cmap.illinois.gov/about/our-team/
2. Evanston RoundTable — Former alder Jane Grover announces mayoral campaign (Aug. 14, 2026) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2026/08/14/former-alder-jane-grover-announces-mayoral-campaign/
3. Illinois State Board of Elections — Grover for Evanston (committee 41351) — https://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CommitteeDetail.aspx?ID=AiPfByQ%2fyQczRviHkERTqw%3d%3d
4. Evanston Now — Jane Grover, former alder, entering mayoral race (Aug. 14, 2026) — https://evanstonnow.com/jane-grover-former-alder-entering-mayoral-race/
5. Jane Grover campaign website — https://www.groverforevanston.com/
6. Daily Northwestern — Former Ald. Jane Grover joins crowded mayoral race (Aug. 17, 2026) — https://dailynorthwestern.com/2026/08/17/top-stories/former-ald-jane-grover-joins-crowded-mayoral-race/
7. Illinois State Board of Elections — Committee Detail: Citizens for Jane Grover, ID 21492 (accessed Oct 6, 2026) — https://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CommitteeDetail.aspx?id=21492
8. Federal Election Commission — Individual contributions: Grover, Jane, Evanston, IL, 2007–2026 (accessed Oct. 6, 2026) — https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=grover%2C+jane&contributor_city=evanston&contributor_state=IL&two_year_transaction_period=2008&two_year_transaction_period=2010&two_year_transaction_period=2012&two_year_transaction_period=2014&two_year_transaction_period=2016&two_year_transaction_period=2018&two_year_transaction_period=2020&two_year_transaction_period=2022&two_year_transaction_period=2024&two_year_transaction_period=2026
9. Illinois State Board of Elections — Contributions search, contributor "Grover" (accessed Oct. 6, 2026) — https://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/ContributionSearchByAllContributions.aspx
10. Illinois State Board of Elections — Committee Detail: Grover for Evanston, ID 41351 (accessed Oct 6, 2026) — https://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CommitteeDetail.aspx?id=41351
11. Illinois State Board of Elections — Committee Detail: Grover for Evanston, ID 41351, Q3 2026 D-2 (filed Oct. 6, 2026) — https://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CommitteeDetail.aspx?id=41351
12. Illinois State Board of Elections — Committee Detail: Grover for Evanston, ID 41351, Q3 2026 D-2 (filed Oct 6, 2026) — https://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CommitteeDetail.aspx?id=41351
13. Evanston Now — Complete election returns (Apr 8, 2009) — https://evanstonnow.com/complete-election-returns/
14. Evanston Now — Council votes to limit drivers' cell phone use (Jan 26, 2010) — https://evanstonnow.com/council-votes-to-limit-drivers-cell-phone-use/
15. Evanston Now — Driving while phoning ban starts next month (Feb 16, 2010) — https://evanstonnow.com/driving-while-phoning-ban-starts-next-month/
16. Evanston RoundTable — Budget Passes With 5% Increase in Water Rates And City's Property Tax, Little Comment (Dec 6, 2011) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2011/12/06/budget-passes-with-5-increase-in-water-rates-and-citys-property-tax-little-comment/
17. The Daily Northwestern — Evanston City Council overturns ruling against Northwestern construction plans (Oct 22, 2012) — https://dailynorthwestern.com/2012/10/22/uncategorized/evanston-city-council-overturns-ruling-against-northwestern-construction-plans/
18. The Daily Northwestern — Evanston City Council passes moratorium on drones, debates zoning ordinance (May 28, 2013) — https://dailynorthwestern.com/2013/05/28/city/evanston-council-passes-moratorium-on-drones-debates-zoning-ordinance/
19. The Daily Northwestern — Split vote on Evanston drone ban unexpected, aldermen say (May 30, 2013) — https://dailynorthwestern.com/2013/05/30/city/split-vote-on-evanston-drone-ban-unexpected-aldermen-say/
20. Evanston RoundTable — Evanston 7th Ward Alderperson Jane Grover to Resign for New Position at CMAP (Dec 4, 2015) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2015/12/04/evanston-7th-ward-alderperson-jane-grover-to-resign-for-new-position-at-cmap/
21. The Daily Northwestern — Jane Grover to resign as 7th Ward alderman (Dec 4, 2015) — https://dailynorthwestern.com/2015/12/04/city/jane-grover-to-resign-as-7th-ward-alderman/
22. City of Evanston — Reparations Committee packet including July 18, 2019 Equity & Empowerment Commission minutes and September 9, 2019 recommendations memo — https://cityofevanston.civicweb.net/document/91093/
23. Cook County Clerk — Recordings search, PIN 05-34-417-006-0000, document 1004133060 (recorded Feb 10, 2010) — https://crs.cookcountyclerkil.gov/Search/ResultByPin?id1=05344170060000
24. Cook County Clerk — Recordings search, PIN 05-34-417-006-0000, documents 1606201053, 1912601155 and 2625928114 — https://crs.cookcountyclerkil.gov/Search/ResultByPin?id1=05344170060000
25. The Daily Northwestern — Electoral Board sustains objection to Evanston Voter Initiative (Jan 16, 2020) — https://dailynorthwestern.com/2020/01/16/city/electoral-board-sustains-objection-to-evanston-voter-initiative/
26. Evanston RoundTable — Judge Affirms Electoral Board Ruling (Feb 14, 2020) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2020/02/14/judge-affirms-electoral-board-ruling/
27. Evanston RoundTable — Unofficial Election Results (Mar 18, 2020) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2020/03/18/unofficial-election-results-2/
28. Evanston RoundTable — A Busy Day for Evanston's Electoral Board (Dec 10, 2020) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2020/12/10/a-busy-day-for-evanstons-electoral-board/
29. Chicago Tribune — 1 aldermanic, 1 city clerk candidate removed from ballot in Evanston after Electoral Board hearing (Dec 10, 2020) — https://www.chicagotribune.com/2020/12/10/1-aldermanic-1-city-clerk-candidate-removed-from-ballot-in-evanston-after-electoral-board-hearing/
30. Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission — Lawyer Search: Jane Watson Grover (accessed Oct 6, 2026) — https://www.iardc.org/Lawyer/Search
31. Grover for Evanston — Campaign website (accessed Oct 6, 2026) — https://www.groverforevanston.com/
32. The Daily Northwestern — Awaiting legislation, Evanston police consider body cameras (Jan 11, 2015) — https://dailynorthwestern.com/2015/01/11/city/awaiting-legislation-evanston-police-consider-body-cameras/
33. City of Evanston — Planning & Development Committee minutes (Oct 28, 2019) — https://cityofevanston.civicweb.net/document/20357/
34. Evanston RoundTable — Email to Community Leaders Calls for 'Counterpoint' to Groups Promoting Incumbent Challenges in April 6 Election (Mar 3, 2021) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2021/03/03/email-to-community-leaders-calls-for-counterpoint-to-groups-promoting-incumbent-challenges-in-april-6-election/
35. Evanston RoundTable — New PAC Accused of Injecting Discord Into Aldermanic Campaigns (Mar 28, 2021) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2021/03/28/new-pac-accused-of-injecting-discord-into-aldermanic-campaigns/
36. Evanston RoundTable — Letter to the community: NU's proposed stadium is a 'field of opportunities' (Feb 17, 2023) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2023/02/17/letter-to-the-community-nus-proposed-stadium-is-a-field-of-opportunities/
37. The Daily Northwestern — Evanston equity panel pulls Gaza ceasefire resolution (Dec 2, 2023) — https://dailynorthwestern.com/2023/12/02/lateststories/equity-and-empowerment-commission-withdraws-resolution-calling-for-ceasefire-in-gaza/
38. Evanston RoundTable — Equity panel pulls controversial draft resolution on Israel-Hamas war (Dec 1, 2023) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2023/12/01/equity-commission-israel-hamas-war-ceasefire/
39. Evanston RoundTable — Letter to the editor: This is what democracy looks like (Dec 6, 2023) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2023/12/06/letter-to-the-editor-this-is-what-democracy-looks-like/
40. Evanston RoundTable — Land Use Commission considers revisions, expansions to Envision Evanston plan (Jan 9, 2025) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2025/01/09/land-use-commission-endorses-slate-of-revisions-expansions-to-draft-comprehensive-plan/
41. Evanston RoundTable — Former Councilmember Jane Grover announces mayoral campaign (Aug 14, 2026) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2026/08/14/former-alder-jane-grover-announces-mayoral-campaign/
42. Evanston RoundTable — Hundreds attend Ryan Field Land Use Commission hearing (Sept. 7, 2023) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2023/09/07/hundreds-attend-ryan-field-land-use-commission-hearing/