caption freeform

Awards

Highland Park Awards

The 2024 Highland Park Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 11, at 6:30 PM at the Highland Park High School auditorium.
The winners of the Arts, Character Counts, Environmental and Humanitarian Awards will be recognized along with the 2023 and 2024 winners of the Capture the Heart of Highland Park Photography Contest. Members of the public are welcome to attend the ceremony. More information about the award winners will be available soon!

Arts Award
These awards recognize outstanding achievements in, or contributions to, the arts in Highland Park. For the award, arts can include visual arts, such as drawing, painting, printmaking, or sculpture; performance, such as dance, theater, or music; architecture; literature, including poetry, fiction or script writing; and web production and graphic design. Learn more about the Arts Award & view a list of previous winners.
Nominations will reopen in November, 2024.

Beautification Award
- Nominations are accepted throughout the year.

The Mayor's Beautification Awards recognize businesses that have enhanced their storefronts and created a welcoming atmosphere that invites and attracts prospective customers with pleasing aesthetics. Award recipients go above and beyond to improve the visual appeal of their property and serve as an example to all businesses and property owners within Highland Park to remain committed to beautifying our community.
Submit a nomination

Business Recognition Award 
This award honors those businesses that have been part of the community for over 50 years. 

Environmental Award
This award recognizes individuals and businesses who have made substantial contributions to improve the environment.
Nominations will reopen in November, 2024.

Humanitarian Award
The Highland Park Humanitarian Award is presented to an outstanding Highland Park individual who has rendered significant personal service to the Highland Park community. Selection is based on personal and community service. 
Nominations will reopen in November, 2024.

Character Counts! Pillar Awards
These awards are designed to recognize community members who have demonstrated the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.
- The Character Counts Steering Committee is made up of representatives from the City of Highland Park, the Park District of Highland Park, North Shore School District 112, and the Highland Park High School.
Nominations will reopen in November, 2024.

 
Highland Park City Awards and Commendations

Tree City USA
The National Arbor Day Foundation has designated Highland Park as a Tree City USA. In order to earn the designation, a community must have a tree board or department, have a city tree ordinance, maintain a comprehensive forestry program and observe Arbor Day each year.

U.S. Conference of Mayor's Climate Protection Award (Honorable Mention)
In 2013 the City of Highland Park took Honorable Mention in the U.S. Conference of Mayor's Climate Protection Award. The City was recognized for its comprehensive electric vehicle expansion plan and leadership role in expanding the electric vehicle infrastructure along with the work completed to increase residential energy efficiency.