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July 29, 2022

The City has established a new grant program to assist eligible businesses in recovering costs related to the impact of the Fourth of July Parade shooting and subsequent investigation. To allow the City and law enforcement agencies to complete the field investigation and site repair, businesses located within a designated perimeter were required to close for owner, employee, and customer access from July 4 – July 10, 2022. Businesses that were unable to operate during this time may be eligible to apply for a grant to help offset revenue losses during the closure. Learn more and download the application at cityhpil.com/businessrecoverygrants.

Everyone grieves at a different pace, and there is no one path toward moving forward after a tragedy. Professionals from our community are here to help you and your family during this difficult time. Call 211 or text 898211 to be immediately connected with a trained navigator who can help you access services. If you prefer an in-person appointment with a navigator, call 211 or visit 211lakecounty.org to schedule an appointment at Family Service of Lake County or the Highwood Public Library and Community Center. 211 is free, confidential, multilingual, and available 24/7.

On Monday, August 1, the City will relocate memorial items at Port Clinton Square to the temporary memorial alongside the Veterans' Memorial located at the intersection of Central and St. Johns. Based on advice from victims' services experts at the Department of Justice, we understand that creating and maintaining temporary memorials has brought comfort to many. Additionally, mental health experts have shared that efforts to restore incident locations to their familiar form is beneficial in the long term, especially for children. Combining these meaningful memorials at one location will help us to honor these differing ways of processing the trauma experienced on July 4. 

We have received a number of questions concerning a future permanent memorial. The City plans to create a lasting memorial in remembrance of the victims with public input and the input of those touched closest by this tragedy. Based on the advice of the Department of Justice and victims' services experts, we will not engage in this process in the immediate future as it is important to take time to allow the community and those most affected by the incident to grieve.

We appreciate your understanding as we approach this significant undertaking with the respect and sensitivity it deserves. More information will be shared when available, and public input will be an important part of the process. In the meantime, please continue to share ideas and suggestions via email at hpcares@cityhpil.com.

As the City prepares to sell the property located at 54 Laurel Ave., the former home of the Highland Park Senior Center, items that will not be used by the City will be sold at an estate sale at 54 Laurel Ave., Highland Park, July 30 and 31. Items available for purchase include furniture, appliances, games, a kiln, excess durable medical equipment, items from the HPCC golf and catering operations, and more. Estate sale times are as follows: Saturday, July 30, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM; Sunday, July 31, beginning at 11:00 AM.

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved the permit for a helicopter to be deployed next week to install rooftop HVAC equipment at Highland Park High School. It is anticipated that the helicopter will be onsite two times for no more than an hour per site visit. Access to certain parking lots/building areas will be restricted during this time. There should be no disruption to traffic flow off campus.

National Night Out returns Tuesday, August 2, 6:00 PM at City Hall. Enjoy family-friendly activities while you meet members of the Highland Park Police and Fire Departments, enjoy a treat, and learn about various community organizations and resources.

Work continues on the Clavey Rd. Reconstruction project, with Stage 2 pavement removal and excavation west of the bridge beginning next week. Sign up for updates on this project at claveyroadreconstruction.com. 

Last call! Public feedback is requested as the City evaluates the continuation of the All-Sidewalks Snow Removal Program for the upcoming winter season. Please share your thoughts by filling out the survey available at cityhpil.com/snowsurvey.

Public feedback will be accepted through July 31, 2022. One survey response per property, please. If you have any questions, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 847.926.1000 or cityhp@cityhpil.com. A summary of survey results will be shared with the public.