FORWARD
The Andrés Tapia for City Council Campaign Newsletter
January 5, 2021 | Issue 1
Message from Andrés
I am ready to serve our city
Welcome to the first edition of my campaign for HP City Council newsletter! Twice a month during the campaign we will share my views on how we can work together to make Highland Park an even more welcoming and thriving community, keep sharing with you what I would bring to the table as a city leader on your behalf, and ways in which you can get involved. 

It's been just five weeks since I submitted the candidate petition and launched my campaign. And what an invigorating and inspirational process it has been! I have loved connecting both with long-time friends who we’ve come to know through the various ways in which we have lived our lives in HP for the last 30 years, and with many new people.

It's clear we have a community full of neighbors who love our city and are very eager for it to rise to the fullness of its potential. We have so many assets to be proud of.

At the same time, we must also be proactive in leading the way to a post-Covid reality where we not only recover and rebuild, but also reimagine.

Enjoy reading this issue's updates.

-Andrés
Get Involved
Stay Up to Date with Us on Facebook
We are updating our campaign page daily with a running commentary of who I am and why I am running for City Council. From my involvement in the founding of the Dual Language program and my current role as Housing Commissioner to highlighting local businesses, non-profits, and the vibrancy of HP. It is a great place to turn to if you would like to learn more about my campaign.


Follow our campaign page:
Volunteer
Want to get involved with the campaign? Here are a few options for how you can be part of my forward looking vision for HP.


1. SEND OUT FRIEND-TO-FRIEND POSTCARDS: Share with your friends and family why you are supporting Andrés. We will drop them off -- stamped and everything -- at your door.

2. HOST A ZOOM CALL TOWN HALL FOR YOUR NETWORK: 
Introduce your network to Andrés, ask Qs of the candidate, and share your aspirations for HP.

3. REQUEST A YARD SIGN: Show your support for Andrés right on your front yard. 

4. CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY: Any amount is helpful. Whether it's $5 or $500, it's a way to declare this is your campaign too!

Sign-Up to Volunteer in any of the ways indicated here.

Key info on what this campaign -- and the candidate -- are all about on the campaign web site.
Upcoming Events
Town Halls will look differently this election season due to the pandemic. However, these Zoom Town Halls are still a good way to get to know Andrés. In addition to private Town Halls, we will also be hosting a few public ones. More details soon, but save the date for these Town Hall events.

  • Thursday, January 21- 7:30 PM
  • Tuesday, February 2 - 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, February 20 - 11 AM (in Spanish)


We hope to see you at least at one of these!
HP Spotlight -- Sip Local
Make sure to get out of the house and support our local cafés -- they are open and following all health and safety protocols. Here are just some of the few that I visited recently.
Perfect Blend

Perfect Blend, where my daughter worked as a teenager when she was at HPHS. (My takeout: cappuccino to go along with a raspberry scone).
Country Kitchen

Country Kitchen, where before the pandemic Trustees of Ravinia Festival did our meet and greets with Board candidates (My takeout: Americano coffee to go with two eggs over easy).
Little French Guy

That Little French Guy, where before The Big Disruption, I met up with friends and clients. (My takeout: cappuccino to go with a quiche Lorraine).
HP Spotlight -- Give/Serve Local
There are many service-oriented organizations in our city. Earlier this month I was able to volunteer with one of these deeply service oriented groups, SaLT, Student Service and Learning Together at their Shop 'N Drop food drive.Their initiative has been supported by our HP residents and through grants from the Highland Park Community Foundation.

The support the Highland Park Community Foundation provides our non-profits is invaluable. As a City Councilman I would make it a top priority to ensure that the City continues its efforts to care for our most vulnerable directly and also through volunteer organizations such as SaLT. It's an essential part of a welcoming and thriving Highland Park.

If you would like to contribute, drop off for grocery items is on Fridays from 4-6 pm or Sat. 9-10 am located at 610 Central Ave #177, HP.

For more information you can follow their Facebook page: SaLT
Vision: A Welcoming and Thriving HP
My vision for our city is for an even more welcoming and thriving Highland Park.

This means seeking to preserve that which is unique about our city as well as to help us prepare for a post-Covid reality. This will require both thinking in fresh ways about the future while also maintaining the focus on the city's current priorities. These are:

  • promoting a thriving business community
  • making prudent fiscal decisions that balance wants and needs
  • keeping our community safe
  • incorporating all the things (the arts, our unique character, human services, the environment) that make life in HP special
At the same time, I seek to help the city be able to see what is around the corner so we can prepare ourselves intellectually, emotionally, financially, and pragmatically for emerging even stronger out of the massive disruptions we have all experienced.
About Andrés
I am a Senior Partner at the global leadership and talent management consultancy Korn Ferry, a thirty-year resident of Highland Park, and a Highland Park Housing Commissioner.

In Highland Park I was a leader in gaining approval for the launch of the Dual Language program in District 112, been an AYSO girls soccer coached for eight years, offered pro bono consulting on diversity and inclusion to District 113, and I currently sit on the executive committee of Ravinia Festival's Board of Trustees. I am also an avid cyclist who can never get enough of our trails, parks, ravines, and beaches.


Voting Information

Vote by Mail: February 26th
Early Voting: March 22nd
Election Day: April 6th

For more information visit: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/343/Voting-Options
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Let's keep moving forward toward an even more welcoming and thriving Highland Park!


Paid for by The Friends of Andrés Tapia for City Council Campaign Committee