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November 15, 2022

The City of Highland Park has established a temporary memorial remembering the seven victims of the Highland Park shooting at the Rose Garden, a quiet and contemplative garden located adjacent to Highland Park City Hall at 1707 St. Johns Avenue. On Friday, November 11, the City provided flowers at the Rose Garden and at the intersection of St. Johns and Central with an invitation to community members to lay them at the Rose Garden as part of personal reflection and remembrance. Two plaques remembering the victims in English & Spanish were also placed at the southwest corner of St. Johns and Central.

As previously shared, a permanent memorial will be planned by the City based on feedback from victims, victims’ families, and the public. The City is cognizant that numerous victims are still recovering from physical injuries and are currently unable to participate in these discussions. Plans for the permanent memorial will be discussed in the New Year. Information regarding this process will be shared with the public via the City’s website, eNews, and social media.

The City of Highland Park denounces the desecration of graves at Congregation Am Echod Jewish Cemetery in Waukegan. These acts of antisemitism are unacceptable and must be called out for what they are: acts of hate, which must never be tolerated. We stand with our neighbors in Waukegan.

Seeds of hate can lead to unspeakable atrocities if left unchecked. It is incumbent upon all of us to send a strong message that acts of hate have no place in our communities. Highland Park’s Statement Against Hate is a call to action to speak up against acts of hate and violence:

The City of Highland Park unequivocally condemns any racist, misogynistic, anti-Semitic, anti-LGBT, ableist, or otherwise hate-motived groups or individuals who are threatening any form of violent acts, bigoted harassment on, or discrimination against our residents, visitors, or city staff. This behavior is never acceptable, but it is particularly outrageous that any groups would further an agenda of hate and fear. It is vitally important that our community holds to our values and stands together in denouncing all acts of bigotry and violence.

Hate has no home in Highland Park or anywhere.

At the Monday, November 14 City Council Meeting, Councilmember Anthony Blumberg served as Presiding Officer in Mayor Rotering's absence. City Council recognized the City's attainment of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Award for the 28th consecutive year, reflective of the City's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of governmental budgeting.

City Manager Ghida Neukirch introduced the Rose Garden temporary memorial remembering those killed in the Highland Park shooting; City Council later approved an agreement with the Park District of Highland Park to formally lease the Rose Garden from November 1, 2022, through May 31, 2024.

City Manager Neukirch provided an update on the City's Aging in a Changing Region initiative, which focuses on ways the City can further support residents as they age-in-place. Community feedback may be shared via a brief survey or at a community workshop on Wednesday, November 30, from 6-8 PM at the Highland Park Country Club, 1201 Park Avenue West. Additionally, City Manager Neukirch reviewed the value of supporting local businesses during the holiday season, encouraging community members to shop and dine locally to reinvest in our community.

City Council approved several items related to the Park Avenue West Bridge Project, with construction slated to begin in April 2023, in addition to a number of contract renewals pertaining to ongoing infrastructure maintenance.

The City also conducted a public hearing concerning the proposed FY 2023 budget, which is available for review at cityhpil.com/budget. The proposed budget meets the City’s revenue, financial, budgetary, and capital policies, including the ongoing operating needs pertaining to the Highland Park shooting. City Manager Neukirch and Finance Director Julie Logan provided a brief overview of the budget development process and highlights of the FY 2023 budget. Video of the presentation and the slides are available.

City Council will consider an ordinance adopting the FY 2023 budget at the November 28 City Council Meeting.

Video of the City Council meeting is available.

The City of Highland Park Senior Center provides assistance with the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Open enrollment runs through December 7. During this time, individuals may change from their current drug plan or enroll for the first time. Everyone is encouraged to reevaluate their insurance coverage due to changes in drug plans or changes in their prescriptions. Trained volunteers are able to assist in navigating the enrollment process. Appointments are available in person, over the phone, or virtually via Zoom. To schedule an appointment, please contact Social Services Coordinator Jennifer Aiello at jaiello@cityhpil.com.

To encourage local holiday dining and shopping, the City of Highland Park will temporarily extend parking hours in public parking lots throughout Downtown Highland Park beginning Saturday, November 19, and running through Monday, January 2.

Parking restrictions will be suspended at all municipal parking lots. There will be no time limit enforced at these public lots. Disabled parking, fire hydrant zones, loading zones, and on-street customer-only parking will still be enforced. Permit parking still remains in effect during these parking holidays. Employee parking restrictions will also be strictly enforced.

A list of available on and off-street parking lots and parking garages can be found at www.cityhpil.com/parking.

The City's Snow and Ice Control Plan is designed to respond to variable weather conditions by prioritizing the timely and effective response to snow removal. Online weather data and the Lake County Passage Traffic cameras are regularly monitored to determine the impact and timing of storms, as well as the scheduling of personnel and availability of equipment. This proactive information assists the Department in preparing an effective plan for snow removal operations. The Public Works Department works closely with public safety personnel to identify specific salting or plowing needs.

Under normal snowfall conditions of three inches or less, all public streets are plowed within the first six to eight hours. However, it is important to note that initial snow removal operations are staged simultaneously throughout the City and that multiple plowing passes along streets are required to move snow to the curb. Response times can vary and may be extended depending on the magnitude, duration, and timing of the winter storm. Regardless of conditions, snow removal operations will continue until all public streets are passable and all parking areas have been cleared. 

As a reminder, please be cautious when driving during snowy or icy conditions. Snow plows are large, heavy, and difficult to maneuver. Please be sure to stay clear of snow removal equipment at all times. Residents are also reminded to observe the City's snow parking restrictions prohibiting on-street and parking lot parking between 2 AM and 6 AM from December 1 through March 31.

The Public Works Department developed a series of FAQs related to snow removal operations. Questions may be directed to Public Works at 847.432.0807.

Spread festive cheer this holiday season to those in need! The City is coordinating the following donation drives:

Toys for Tots

Make the holiday season special for a child in need by donating toys to the Marine Corps' annual Toys for Tots campaign. Drop off your new, unwrapped donations of toys to Fire Station #33, 1130 Central Ave., during business hours (Tuesday - Friday, 7 AM - 4 PM), or at a collection box at Port Clinton Square during the Heart of the Holidays event. Heart of the Holidays takes place on November 19, November 26, December 3, and December 10 from 2-4 PM throughout Downtown Highland Park.

Coats for Kids

The Highland Park Fire Department's Coats for Kids drive is underway. Donate new or gently used coats to be given to local families in need. Donations will be accepted until February 1, 2023, at the drop box located in the front lobby of Fire Station #33, 1130 Central Avenue.

During the Thanksgiving holiday, the City of Highland Park urges drivers to drive responsibly and fasten their seat belts. There are a number of advantages to wearing a seatbelt and ensuring that all passengers, especially children, are properly buckled up: 

• Seatbelts provide safety to everyone in the vehicle.
• Seatbelts are designed to work with your airbags.
• Avoid fines for not wearing your seatbelt.
• Seatbelts reduce the risks of serious injuries and death.

As a reminder, in Illinois, children are required to be in a car seat or booster seat until at least age 8 and all children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat. In addition, adult rear passengers are required to wear seatbelts in Illinois. 

The Police Department is collaborating with the Illinois Department of Transportation and law enforcement throughout the state to encourage occupant protection. From November 18, 2022 through November 28, 2022 motorists in Highland Park will see an increase in patrols and traffic stops, along with additional messaging on the dangers of not wearing a seat belt. 

The Illinois Click It or Ticket campaign is administered by IDOT with federal highway safety funds managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.