The July 4th Fund remains open and will accept donations through October 7, 2022. At that time, the Fund will officially close so the final amount for distribution to victims and nonprofit organizations can be determined and payment amounts calculated. The total amount of the Fund will be made public after the Fund closes.
Once the initial fund closes, the Highland Park Community Foundation will establish a new Fund. Donations to the second Fund will be distributed to nonprofit organizations that are addressing the needs of victims and community members impacted by the shooting. The Highland Park Community Foundation will administer the Fund and distribute the donations as grants.
The July 4th Highland Park Shooting Response Fund was established by the Highland Park Community Foundation to accept donations that would be used to support victims and local nonprofit organizations serving the needs of victims and impacted community members. The Fund is a project of the Highland Park Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Individuals are encouraged to donate by October 7, 2022. Donations can be made at this link.
Individuals with questions should contact info@July4Fund.org. Additional information is available at www.July4fund.org.
September 28, 2022 – At the Tuesday, September 27, 2022 meeting of the City Council Committee of the Whole, the City Council expressed support for separating the temporary memorial and the art installation, and relocating the temporary memorial to the Rose Garden, adjacent to City Hall at 1707 St. Johns Ave. Based on extensive feedback from the families of victims, victims, community members, and expert input, the City recognized the need to consider the impact of the temporary art installation and the temporary memorial on the mental health of the community individually and collectively. The City’s intent is to balance the mental health needs of individuals and the greater community in the wake of the mass shooting.
- A temporary 7/4 memorial will remain in place in downtown Highland Park until the dedication of a permanent memorial (date is uncertain).
- A temporary memorial will be accessible to the public at the Rose Garden, located adjacent to City Hill at 1707 St. Johns Ave.
- This location addresses concerns and considers community suggestions by affording greater privacy to grieving families and others. It is accessible, and in close proximity to the site of the shooting.
- The City will offer assistance in identifying a new location on private property to the artist who created and manages the organic public art installation at the southwest corner of Central & St. Johns, which had grown to be a multimedia, multi-faceted interactive public art display that was being used as an entertainment venue.
- The Veterans Memorial at the northwest corner of Central and St. Johns will be returned to its intended state on a date to be determined in the near future. The City will communicate this information via various communication modalities including the City’s website (cityhpil.com), eNews (cityhpil.com/signup), and social media (@HighlandParkIL on Facebook; @CityHPIL on Twitter.)
- Memorial items will be documented by the Highland Park Public Library’s Archivist. Family members will be able to review the items and keep items. The City will assist in the archival process of certain items from all displays.
- 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.
The City recognizes that this is a weighty, emotional topic, and urges anyone in need to seek support. Free and confidential multilingual assistance from trained mental health counselors is available 24/7 via 211 Lake County. Visit 211LakeCounty.org, call 211, or text 898211.
Click here to read more, including a detailed Q&A.
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