Evanston City Manager Luke Stowe has named Evanston Police Chief Schenita Stewart an acting deputy city manager, as the city enters its “final phase of recruiting for a permanent Deputy City Manager.” In July 2024, Stowe named two deputy city managers — Steve Ruger and Carina Sánchez — though Ruger resigned from the post less than a year later in May 2025, citing personal reasons. Stewart, who’s become a part of Stowe’s inner circle in city government, will remain as Evanston’s police chief while she picks up the additional duties. The city was hiring for the permanent deputy city manager as recently as May, but the application has since closed. Two other big roles remain open, including a fire chief after Paul Polep’s retirement and a new director of human resources.