Grab a free ride and ‘Hop Around Evanston’ this spring Northwestern University is offering a free shuttle service this spring, allowing students, faculty, staff, Evanston residents, and visitors to explore the city’s neighborhoods, landmarks, and local businesses. The program, titled “Hop Around Evanston,” runs every Saturday evening from April 4 to June 20. The shuttle service connects key areas of Evanston, including Central Street and Main Street, where visitors can enjoy restaurants, pubs, and galleries. It also provides access to notable landmarks such as the Grosse Point Lighthouse, the Ladd Arboretum, and the Evanston Ecology Center. The route spans a loop covering Central Street to the north, Howard Street to the south, Chicago Avenue to the east, and Dodge Avenue to the west. Sponsored by Northwestern and co-hosted with the Evanston Chamber of Commerce, the shuttle uses the university’s hybrid electric bus fleet. EL Da’ Sheon Nix, director of community relations at Northwestern, emphasized that the program is open to everyone, regardless of their status as a student, employee, resident, or visitor. “Now that warmer weather has returned, this is a great opportunity to get out and explore, check out a small business, or grab a meal in one of Evanston’s many great neighborhoods,” Nix said. The initiative aims to promote local engagement and highlight the city’s cultural and recreational offerings. Participants can access detailed route information and learn more about the program through the provided links.#northwestern_university #evanston_chamber_of_commerce #el_da_sheon_nix #grosse_point_lighthouse #ladd_arboretum
Northwestern Releases 2026 Outdoor Track Schedule The Northwestern University track team officially unveiled its 2026 outdoor competition schedule on March 23, 2026, with head coach Jill Miller emphasizing the team’s focus on building momentum from a successful indoor season. The Wildcats will compete in seven regular season meets before advancing to postseason events in May. Miller highlighted the team’s strong performance at the Big Ten Championships during the indoor campaign, expressing confidence in their preparation for the upcoming outdoor season. The outdoor season will open with a split squad participation in two early events. On March 26-27, the team will compete at the Raleigh Relays in North Carolina and the WashU Distance Carnival in St. Louis, Missouri. The following week, the Wildcats will host the Chicagoland Championships in Elmhurst, Illinois, from April 10-11. A busy April schedule includes the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California, on April 16-17, alongside the Gibson Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana, on April 17. The month will conclude with the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 25. After a brief break, the team will travel to Madison, Wisconsin, for the Wisconsin Twilight on May 1, marking the final regular season meet before the Big Ten Outdoor Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska, from May 15-17. The NCAA West Preliminary will take place in Fayetteville, Arkansas, from May 27-30, with the NCAA Outdoor Championships returning to Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, from June 10-13. The schedule details the Wildcats’ progression through the season, balancing regional meets with national-level competitions.#big_ten_championships #northwestern_university #jill_miller #washington_university #chicagoland_championships
Illinois primary voters turn out in droves for Congressional battles Illinois voters are actively participating in Tuesday’s primary elections, which will determine the next generation of leaders in the state’s Congressional delegation. With five open Congressional seats up for grabs, the race has drawn significant attention, particularly in suburban areas where early voting has already exceeded previous years’ totals. Suburban Cook County has seen a surge in early ballots, with over 54,000 more votes cast so far compared to the same period in 2022. At early voting sites like the Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston, voters cited both the Congressional race and broader political issues as key motivators for their participation. Abigail Buell, a voter and Northwestern University student, emphasized her frustration with current congressional representation, stating, “I feel like there are a lot of issues that I really care about and that I feel aren’t being represented in Congress and the U.S. Government.” Similarly, Claudia Steinke of Skokie highlighted her desire for candidates who align with community values, asking, “How are they working with the community? How are they supporting the community? Where are their funds coming from? Who do they support? Do they support a free Palestine? Are they willing to say that out loud?” The 9th District race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky is one of the most closely watched contests, with a crowded field of candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. This district, along with three others in Chicago and its suburbs, is among the five open Congressional seats, including the race for Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García’s seat, which has only one candidate in each party’s primary.#illinois #jan_schakowsky #robert_crown_community_center #evanston #northwestern_university
