The Margarita Inn
Cook County Board President, Toni Preckwinkle, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, and Fourth Ward Council Member Jonathan Nieuwsma held a joint recognition event on May 18th regarding hotel models of shelter in Cook County. Read more about it here.
One of our most effective and innovative programs is at the Margarita Inn.
Connections started operating at the Margarita in March 2020 after Governor Pritzker issued a mandatory shelter-in-place order due to the pandemic. This arrangement was initiated at the behest of the City of Evanston and was a catalyst to Connections, eventually sheltering more than 300 individuals at three hotels throughout the city. Hotel-based shelter is a new, innovative model for providing shelter using Housing First principles.
In February of 2022, the City of Evanston requested that Connections clarify its operations at the Margarita, and in March of 2022, the City issued a zoning determination. In response to the City’s notice, we were directed to prepare and submit an application for a new Special Use Permit (SUP).
Where We Stand Now
The Special Use Permit was approved by the City Council! We are now engaged in processes with the county to get the building ready for us to buy. Thank you to all our supporters who continued to show up to speak and support us as we went through this process. We'll keep you updated on the status of the Margarita Inn.
One of our most effective and innovative programs is at the Margarita Inn.
Connections started operating at the Margarita in March 2020 after Governor Pritzker issued a mandatory shelter-in-place order due to the pandemic. This arrangement was initiated at the behest of the City of Evanston and was a catalyst to Connections, eventually sheltering more than 300 individuals at three hotels throughout the city. Hotel-based shelter is a new, innovative model for providing shelter using Housing First principles.
In February of 2022, the City of Evanston requested that Connections clarify its operations at the Margarita, and in March of 2022, the City issued a zoning determination. In response to the City’s notice, we were directed to prepare and submit an application for a new Special Use Permit (SUP).
Where We Stand Now
The Special Use Permit was approved by the City Council! We are now engaged in processes with the county to get the building ready for us to buy. Thank you to all our supporters who continued to show up to speak and support us as we went through this process. We'll keep you updated on the status of the Margarita Inn.
Next Steps
Good Neighbor Advisory Council: To facilitate its monitoring and future adaptation, the signed Good Neighbor Agreement calls for a Good Neighbor Advisory Council (GNAC) to be formed. The GNAC will be made up of those who choose to engage in the process, with positions offered to neighbors who are homeowners (2), renters (2), landlords (2), and neighboring businesses (2). In addition to these neighbors, Margarita Inn residents (3), and staff from both the City of Evanston (2) and Connections from the Homeless (3), as well as Emergency Services personnel (2) will serve on the GNAC.
The GNAC will meet at least quarterly to discuss community concerns and questions related to the Margarita Inn and remedies to related neighborhood issues. At each meeting, Connections will provide the GNAC with reports detailing the number of people served at the Margarita Inn each quarter, programmatic successes and participant success stories, the number of incidents requiring emergency services, the number and nature of complaints received to the 24-hour hotline and the response to these complaints. The GNAC is also charged with conducting an annual review of the Good Neighbor Agreement.
Sign up to be on the GNAC here!
Good Neighbor Advisory Council: To facilitate its monitoring and future adaptation, the signed Good Neighbor Agreement calls for a Good Neighbor Advisory Council (GNAC) to be formed. The GNAC will be made up of those who choose to engage in the process, with positions offered to neighbors who are homeowners (2), renters (2), landlords (2), and neighboring businesses (2). In addition to these neighbors, Margarita Inn residents (3), and staff from both the City of Evanston (2) and Connections from the Homeless (3), as well as Emergency Services personnel (2) will serve on the GNAC.
The GNAC will meet at least quarterly to discuss community concerns and questions related to the Margarita Inn and remedies to related neighborhood issues. At each meeting, Connections will provide the GNAC with reports detailing the number of people served at the Margarita Inn each quarter, programmatic successes and participant success stories, the number of incidents requiring emergency services, the number and nature of complaints received to the 24-hour hotline and the response to these complaints. The GNAC is also charged with conducting an annual review of the Good Neighbor Agreement.
Sign up to be on the GNAC here!
Frequently Asked Questions:
We were all surprised by the judge’s ruling and many of you have questions about what it all means. Below are some FAQs that will help explain the process.
Q: What is all this about a restraining order? Will the Margarita get its special use permit renewed?
A: Due to a legal ruling on 2/10/23 by Cook County Judge Neil Cohen, the Land Use Commission (LUC) will need to hold an additional continuance hearing on our special use permit application. This is a very narrow, technical ruling based on a suit brought by one plaintiff (Cameel Halim) against the City of Evanston. The ruling does not address the merits of our application, only the need for Mr. Halim to air his issues during a LUC meeting. The LUC will hear the plaintiff, possibly as soon as March 8. The LUC will vote a second time. After the LUC hearing, the permit will once again be scheduled for a hearing and a vote before City Council.
We were all surprised by the judge’s ruling and many of you have questions about what it all means. Below are some FAQs that will help explain the process.
Q: What is all this about a restraining order? Will the Margarita get its special use permit renewed?
A: Due to a legal ruling on 2/10/23 by Cook County Judge Neil Cohen, the Land Use Commission (LUC) will need to hold an additional continuance hearing on our special use permit application. This is a very narrow, technical ruling based on a suit brought by one plaintiff (Cameel Halim) against the City of Evanston. The ruling does not address the merits of our application, only the need for Mr. Halim to air his issues during a LUC meeting. The LUC will hear the plaintiff, possibly as soon as March 8. The LUC will vote a second time. After the LUC hearing, the permit will once again be scheduled for a hearing and a vote before City Council.
Q: Does Connections contract with other cities or towns and bring people experiencing homeless in other communities to Evanston?
A: No. Connections does not seek out, or in any way encourage those experiencing homelessness to come to Evanston. In fact, 80 percent of the people we have served at the Margarita are from Evanston – many of them long-time residents with significant family history here. We do work as part of a suburban Cook County collaborative to address homelessness regionally. We also engage and support villages and townships beyond Evanston, especially with eviction prevention and rental assistance programing. This actually keeps people housed and in their own community.
A: No. Connections does not seek out, or in any way encourage those experiencing homelessness to come to Evanston. In fact, 80 percent of the people we have served at the Margarita are from Evanston – many of them long-time residents with significant family history here. We do work as part of a suburban Cook County collaborative to address homelessness regionally. We also engage and support villages and townships beyond Evanston, especially with eviction prevention and rental assistance programing. This actually keeps people housed and in their own community.
Q: Will there be any oversight of the Margarita Inn by the City?
A: The suite of oversight tools in development will significantly improve the City’s ability to regulate and inspect operations like the Margarita Inn. The updated licensing ordinance requires a detailed operating agreement that covers items like mandatory programming, staffing levels, background checks, etc. The license and operating agreement is one of three requirements that needs to be fulfilled. There is also zoning approval by way of a special use permit that has another set of conditions that must be met. And finally, there is the Good Neighbor Agreement which was created and written by neighbors and establishes a framework for communications between the Margarita and the community. This three-legged stool of oversight has been in development for more than a year and will hold Connections accountable to the community at large (via the Good Neighbor Agreement) and directly to the City (via a revocable license).
A: The suite of oversight tools in development will significantly improve the City’s ability to regulate and inspect operations like the Margarita Inn. The updated licensing ordinance requires a detailed operating agreement that covers items like mandatory programming, staffing levels, background checks, etc. The license and operating agreement is one of three requirements that needs to be fulfilled. There is also zoning approval by way of a special use permit that has another set of conditions that must be met. And finally, there is the Good Neighbor Agreement which was created and written by neighbors and establishes a framework for communications between the Margarita and the community. This three-legged stool of oversight has been in development for more than a year and will hold Connections accountable to the community at large (via the Good Neighbor Agreement) and directly to the City (via a revocable license).
Q: Why aren’t council members who received eviction prevention funding from Connections recusing themselves from the City Council vote?
A: In two separate letters sent to the City’s attorney, Connections clearly stated that our expectation is that any City Council member receiving eviction prevention funds recuse themself from voting on the Margarita Inn special use permit. We also stated this publicly in this story on the Round Table. We fully expect any council member who receives eviction prevention assistance (A state program administered through Connections) to recuse themselves from voting and have always said so.
Q: What role does the Mayor play in upcoming City Council hearings?
A: The mayor only votes if there is a tie.
Q: Why has the process been so rushed?
A: It hasn’t been rushed – it’s been lengthy, thorough, and very public. The permit renewal process has been going on for well over a year. It has received significant media coverage, several city council hearings, a public hearing and application process before the Land Use Commission, dozens of public listening sessions, and the creation of a new licensing agreement for rooming houses. It has been discussed in every Ward at least once, in some cases at every meeting, over the past year and has been a very thorough and thoughtful public procedure.
A: In two separate letters sent to the City’s attorney, Connections clearly stated that our expectation is that any City Council member receiving eviction prevention funds recuse themself from voting on the Margarita Inn special use permit. We also stated this publicly in this story on the Round Table. We fully expect any council member who receives eviction prevention assistance (A state program administered through Connections) to recuse themselves from voting and have always said so.
Q: What role does the Mayor play in upcoming City Council hearings?
A: The mayor only votes if there is a tie.
Q: Why has the process been so rushed?
A: It hasn’t been rushed – it’s been lengthy, thorough, and very public. The permit renewal process has been going on for well over a year. It has received significant media coverage, several city council hearings, a public hearing and application process before the Land Use Commission, dozens of public listening sessions, and the creation of a new licensing agreement for rooming houses. It has been discussed in every Ward at least once, in some cases at every meeting, over the past year and has been a very thorough and thoughtful public procedure.
Q: How successful has the Margarita been at transitioning people into stable housing?
A: Very successful! Our success rate in finding a permanent housing solutions for Margarita residents is 70%, almost twice as high as the national average of 40% .
Q: Who participated in the Good Neighbor Agreement?
A: Dozens of neighbors and stakeholder groups (including business owners, renters, single family homeowners and condo owners) participated in the GNA drafting process, which was open to anyone willing to come to the table. Some of our fiercest detractors refused to participate in the process, even after repeatedly being invited. The end result was a signed framework outlining the responsibilities of all stakeholders in the community in addressing the needs and concerns around the Margarita Inn as well as around the growing signs of homelessness and poverty in Evanston.
Q: Why is Hilda’s Place expanding? Won’t that bring in even more homeless people?
A: Hilda’s Place is returning to its pre-pandemic work of serving as an overnight emergency shelter. Thanks to federal funding from Congresswoman Schakowsky, we’ll be able to make significant health and safety improvements to Hilda’s Place, including making it accessible to people with mobility issues. Evanston needs more of these overnight emergency beds to help serve the current homeless population who now have nowhere to go but the streets. It’s not increasing the number of homeless; it’s just improving support for the number we already have.
Q: How much is the federal funding and what will it go to? Why isn’t this more transparent?
A: Congresswoman Schakowsky secured $2M in federal funding to make improvements to Hilda’s Place. The amount is publicly disclosed and the Congresswoman even issued a press release stating where the funding goes. Hilda’s Place, which has been in operation nearly 40 years, had to stop providing overnight shelter due to Covid restrictions. This money will help Hilda’s Place resume normal operations and improve its facilities. It will allow us to have anywhere from 30-50 beds.
Q: Where are you in the purchase of the Margarita?
A: We’re in great shape. We have a letter of intent from the owner and we are lining up the financing. All we need is final sign off from the city (license, operating agreement and special use permit) and we can begin the closing process on the sale.
Q: Will any City of Evanston money be used to purchase the Margarita?
A: Not at this time. We are in conversations with County and State partners, plus money from our own private fundraising efforts. We have significant support and are not expecting any financial issues in finalizing the purchase.
A: Very successful! Our success rate in finding a permanent housing solutions for Margarita residents is 70%, almost twice as high as the national average of 40% .
Q: Who participated in the Good Neighbor Agreement?
A: Dozens of neighbors and stakeholder groups (including business owners, renters, single family homeowners and condo owners) participated in the GNA drafting process, which was open to anyone willing to come to the table. Some of our fiercest detractors refused to participate in the process, even after repeatedly being invited. The end result was a signed framework outlining the responsibilities of all stakeholders in the community in addressing the needs and concerns around the Margarita Inn as well as around the growing signs of homelessness and poverty in Evanston.
Q: Why is Hilda’s Place expanding? Won’t that bring in even more homeless people?
A: Hilda’s Place is returning to its pre-pandemic work of serving as an overnight emergency shelter. Thanks to federal funding from Congresswoman Schakowsky, we’ll be able to make significant health and safety improvements to Hilda’s Place, including making it accessible to people with mobility issues. Evanston needs more of these overnight emergency beds to help serve the current homeless population who now have nowhere to go but the streets. It’s not increasing the number of homeless; it’s just improving support for the number we already have.
Q: How much is the federal funding and what will it go to? Why isn’t this more transparent?
A: Congresswoman Schakowsky secured $2M in federal funding to make improvements to Hilda’s Place. The amount is publicly disclosed and the Congresswoman even issued a press release stating where the funding goes. Hilda’s Place, which has been in operation nearly 40 years, had to stop providing overnight shelter due to Covid restrictions. This money will help Hilda’s Place resume normal operations and improve its facilities. It will allow us to have anywhere from 30-50 beds.
Q: Where are you in the purchase of the Margarita?
A: We’re in great shape. We have a letter of intent from the owner and we are lining up the financing. All we need is final sign off from the city (license, operating agreement and special use permit) and we can begin the closing process on the sale.
Q: Will any City of Evanston money be used to purchase the Margarita?
A: Not at this time. We are in conversations with County and State partners, plus money from our own private fundraising efforts. We have significant support and are not expecting any financial issues in finalizing the purchase.
additional resources
special use permit
in the news
- 03/22/22 From hotel to homeless shelter: A peek into the Margarita Inn in Evanston RoundTable
- 03/19/22 City: Hotel at Margarita not permitted in Evanston Now
- 03/18/22 Nonprofit to pursue permit needed in Evanston RoundTable
- 03/18/22 Connections for the Homeless Needs New Permit For Margarita Inn in Evanston Patch
- 03/17/22 Margarita Press Release
- 03/14/22 Emotional meeting about homeless housing at Margarita Inn draws hundreds in Evanston RoundTable
- 03/11/22 Connections for the Homeless Looks to Buy the Margarita Inn in The Patch
- 05/23/22 In Focus: As Connections for the Homeless looks to purchase the Margarita Inn, residents remain divided on the buildings future
- 09/12/22 Letter to the community: Support for the Margarita Inn in Evanston RoundTable
- 09/28/22 Connections for the Homeless files permit to continue operating Margarita Inn shelter in Evanston Roundtable
- 10/05/22 Margarita Pact with Neighbors in works in Evanston Now
- 11/30/22 What the Margarita Inn means to the residents who live there in Evanston RoundTable
- 12/01/22 LUC backs Margarita Inn special use in Evanston Now
- 12/01/22 Land Use Commission recommends Margarita Inn’s ‘special use’ status in Evanston RoundTable
- 2/9/23 Biss, homeless group leader sign Margarita Inn agreement in Evanston RoundTable
- 2/9/23 Living our Community Values from Mayor Daniel Biss
- 2/9/23 Letter to the editor: Why I support the Margarita Inn from Evanston RoundTable
- 4/26/23 Tie vote sends Margarita Inn shelter case to City Council without a recommendation from Evanston RoundTable
- 4/27/23 LUC splits 3-3 in Margarita re-vote from Evanston Now
- 5/9/23 Margarita Inn homeless shelter plan advances from Evanston RoundTable
- 5/18/23 Ahead of City Council vote, Margarita Inn celebrates three years as a shelter from Evanston RoundTable
- 5/18/23 Mayor: Evanston must be a ‘yes in my backyard’ city from Evanston Now
- 5/22/23 City Council approves Connections for the Homeless rooming house permit, signs operating agreement from The Daily Northwestern
- 5/22/23 Council vote clears way for Margarita Inn homeless shelter from Evanston RoundTable
