Evanston to Add Credit Card Fees Starting November 2
Residents will face a 2.23% transaction fee when using credit cards for city services starting in November.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Credit Cards
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Starting November 2, 2026, the City of Evanston will begin passing credit card convenience fees onto residents who choose to pay for city services using a card. This move is designed to shift the burden of payment processing costs away from the municipal budget.
Why it matters
The city spent $1.3 million on credit card processing fees in 2025, up from $1.1 million in 2024, and is introducing these fees to reduce reliance on reserves. This change directly impacts how households manage their budgets when paying for city services.
The city recorded $1.3 million in credit card processing fees for 2025, an increase from $1.1 million in 2024. Residents will now face a transaction fee of 2.23% or $1, whichever is greater, for card payments.
The players
City of Evanston
The local municipal government responsible for setting city service fees and managing public funds.
The details
The new fee applies to credit card payments across city departments as the city attempts to offset charges paid to merchant processors and financial institutions. By implementing a 2.23% surcharge, the city aims to ensure these processing costs are covered by the users rather than the general fund. Residents can bypass the fee entirely by using alternative payment methods such as cash or check at city facilities.
Timeline
Implementation of credit card fees begins Monday, November 2, 2026.
Rollout across city departments and payment channels will occur from fall 2026 to spring 2027.
Money Landscape
This policy shifts Evanston toward a model where users of city services directly cover the costs of payment processing. It aligns with broader municipal trends to move away from relying on general reserves to balance budgets.
Households paying city bills should prepare to pay an additional 2.23% on transactions made with credit cards starting this November. To avoid this added cost, consider paying with cash or check at local city offices.
The takeaway
The move to pass processing fees to users aims to stabilize the municipal budget after costs rose significantly over the last two years. Residents can confirm specific department transitions by contacting city staff at 847-448-4311.
Further reading
Learn more about managing your payments in our Credit Cards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Evanston RoundTable.
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Should local governments pass credit card processing fees directly to residents?
