Evanston, located in the Cook County of the US state of Illinois, is a suburban municipality that lies north of Chicago and east of Skokie and west of Wilmette. As of a 2003 census estimate, the area had a population of 74,239 people. Evanston is both a city and township and it is also one of the communities in the North Shore that adjoin Lake Michigan. The city is significant in education because it is the home of Northwestern University.

The city has had several nicknames since its founding. It was once called 'Heavenston' because of the strong Methodist influence on the city. It was also called 'The City of Churches', 'The City of Homes' and 'The People's Republic of Evanston' mainly because of the city's liberal take on politics.

Evanston is served by several highways as well as by the Chicago Milwaukee railroad which has been stopping in Evanston since 1855.