Homeowners Sue Evanston Over Northwestern's Plans to Hold Concerts at Ryan Field

Homeowners in Evanston, Ill., have filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging elected officials bent the law in their most recent vote to allow for concerts and other commercial events at Northwestern's Ryan Stadium. 

The complaint seeks to overturn last month's narrow vote in favor of allowing concerts and other events at Ryan Field, near single-family home in the northern suburb of Wilmette. 

“The city acted unlawfully, harming residents and violating the public trust,” the opponents allege in a suit, according to WBEZ. 

Northwestern contends that it needs the revenue from concerts to help pay for the proposed $800 million stadium renovation, and supporters of the plan say the university’s agreement with the city will funnel $157.5 million from Northwestern to local schools and community causes over 15 years.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit say the city council didn't observe usual zoning practices in its decision and gave "special advantage" to Northwestern. 

“Mayor Biss and certain council members cut a backroom deal … in exchange for monetary contributions from Northwestern," the lawsuit states. 

Critics of the plan say that using the renovated Ryan Field for concerts and other events would cause noise pollution, traffic problems, littering and safety concerns. 

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, a former Illinois lawmaker who cast the tie-breaking vote, believes the plan will be a boon for the city of Evanston. 

“I think Evanston needs to be willing to embrace change right now,” wrote Biss, who was elected in 2021. “Our economic challenges won’t be solved by staying the same as we’ve always been or trying to return to 2019. Finally, our progressive values and ambition require funding to realize, and we won’t be able to access that funding without unfairly burdening those who can least afford to pay — unless we embrace growth and new ideas.”

Northwestern has proposed a plan to demolish Ryan Field and rebuild the stadium with modern sound and lighting to accommodate events like concerts. Its seating capacity would be 35,000 for football and 28,500 for the maximum of six annual concerts the zoning would allow.

Retired Cook County Judge Andrew Berman, who is a member of the Most Livable City Association and supports the lawsuit against the city, says football games are fine, but concerts are a whole other matter. 

“Concerts are a whole different animal than football games,” said Berman, a 32-year resident of Evanston. “We’re sorry it’s come to this. We wish Mayor Biss had done the right thing.”