For many in Evanston, our local Chili’s restaurant is more than just a place to eat—it’s a cornerstone of our community. Northwestern students and staff, as well as Evanston locals, have shared countless meals, celebrations, and special memories within its walls. This restaurant, one of the few staple family establishments in the area, is not just important to us but essential.

Unfortunately, our beloved Chili’s is under threat. A new development plan proposes demolishing the restaurant, along with Dogtopia and some of the AMC movie screens, to make way for a 27-floor, high-rise at Church Street Plaza. While development can signal growth, this plan disregards the communal value of spaces like Chili’s and adds yet another high rise to our quaint Evanston neighborhood.

It is essential that we have accesible food options in Evanston, which has a range of socioeconomic statuses, including undergraduate and graduate students with educational debt, as well as often neglected populations with lower to median yearly income.

Chili’s has been a national staple of American dining for over four decades, with more than 1,600 branches nationwide. However, our Evanston branch is not just another location in this chain. Situated in a key part of downtown, it stands out as one of the few accessible and affordable sit-down dining options that cater to families, students, and locals alike. Losing Chili’s would exacerbate the lack of such spaces in an area already limited in affordable restaurant choices.

Beyond its role as a dining venue, Chili’s is a site of shared history and community connection. By signing this petition, we call on decision-makers to halt the demolition plan and to recognize the significant role this Chili’s plays in Evanston. Progress should not come at the expense of erasing beloved spaces that hold deep community value. Save our Chili’s and preserve the heart of our community.

Sign our petition today and help us protect a place where memories are made and traditions are kept alive.