Last updated June 5, 2020.
May 29, 2020: All regions of the state have advanced to Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan. Phase 3 lifts certain restrictions while implementing guidelines to prevent the spread of illness. Learn more about Restore Illinois here, and about Phase 3 implementation in Highland Park here.
May 1, 2020: Governor Pritzker's Updated Stay at Home Order is now in effect through May 30. The Updated Stay at Home Order relaxes certain restrictions while still directing Illinoisans to remain at home as much as possible.
April 1, 2020:Governor Pritzker orders an extension of the Stay at Home order, now in effect through April 30.
March 20, 2020: Governor Pritzker issues order directing residents to Stay at Home to prevent the spread of COVID-19, effective March 21 - April 7. Updates regarding closures and cancellations in response to this order will be posted here.
City of Highland Park: Municipal Buildings Closed to the Public Effective March 16; No Reduction to Public Safety Services
Essential public administrative services are available online and via mail. There will be no reduction in services for public safety and the City encourages residents to conduct business online or by phone where possible. Cancellation notices for public meetings will be published to the City’s website. Meetings have not been rescheduled; notice of rescheduled meetings will be posted to the City’s agenda and minute center. The City’s approach to limit these unnecessary public gatherings is in line with best practices from other area governments, including the City of Chicago. Additional information is available here and here. View meeting agendas, minutes, and videos here.
Connector Bus: Effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the Highland Park Connector service will be suspended until further notice, for the health and safety of riders due to coronavirus (COVID-19.) Seniors and people with compromised immune systems are at greatest risk for complications of COVID-19. For transportation needs, please contact the City at 847.926.1000. Learn more about COVID-19 here.
Highland Park Senior Center: Closed
As of Wednesday, March 11, the Highland Park Senior Center will be closed until further notice. All programs have been canceled, including offsite programming at various locations throughout the City. Additional information regarding the Senior Center is available here.
Highland Park Public Library: Building closed; virtual programs and access to digital materials available online. Material returns will be accepted beginning June 8.
Park District of Highland Park: Many facilities reopened with new public health guidance in place. Please note that playgrounds remain closed at this time.
School District 112: All Schools Closed
NSSD 112 is distributing free meals (breakfast and lunch) to all residents ages 18 years and younger, regardless of the school district they attend. Meals will be distributed via curbside pickup, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Monday-Friday, at Oak Terrace School, 240 Prairie Ave., Highwood. Children do not need to be present to receive a meal.
School District 113: All Schools Closed
Lakeshore Recycling Services: Spring Clean-Up Canceled; Bulk Item, E-Waste, & White Goods Collection Resumes
In order to protect the health and well being of refuse and recycling workers in light of the ongoing pandemic, spring clean-up has been canceled. The City will explore possibly rescheduling spring clean-up with Lakeshore Recycling Systems for future dates. Lakeshore Recycling Systems has resumed collection of bulk items, white goods & e-waste.
Please contact LRS at 773.685.8811 with any questions or visit www.LRSRecycles.com for more information.
Metra Station Depot Buildings: All Station Buildings Closed
To follow best practices for social distancing and to prevent the spread of illness, the Braeside, Ravinia, and Highland Park Metra Station depot buildings will be closed to public access, effective immediately and until further notice. Commuters may wait for trains outside the station buildings and along train platforms while maintaining social distancing. Trains will continue to run according to schedule; information about Metra schedules is available at metrarail.com.
To support the community, Metra is also providing free rides to medical personnel presenting a work ID for the duration of the Stay at Home Order, as is Pace Bus . For more information about these and other steps Metra is taking to address the coronavirus situation, visit metrarail.com.
Pace Bus: Effective April 8, 2020, Pace has temporarily suspended fare collection until further notice on all regional routes. The City of Highland Park operates several bus routes under contract with Pace. Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in our area and a decrease in ridership, Pace has authorized a reduction of services.
Effective beginning Monday, April 13th and continuing until further notice:
- Shuttle Bug 628/629 routes will be suspended. These shuttle routes provide bus service from Braeside Metra station to and from corporate business parks along Lake Cook Road.
- Pace bus routes 471 and 472 will temporarily operate weekday service on a Saturday schedule. Service on Saturday will continue to operate as scheduled. Routes 471/472 transport passengers to various locations throughout Highland Park, Highwood, Deerfield, and Northbrook and connect to Metra train stations and other Pace routes. Many of the locations served along these routes are temporarily closed or have reduced hours during the Shelter in Place order.
Additionally, for the safety of passengers and bus operators, passenger assistance by operators has been temporarily suspended in order to maintain Social Distancing and help slow the spread of COVID-19. Operators will continue to secure passengers’ mobility devices per federal regulations and at the request of the passenger. For additional information, please visit Pace’s website at www.pacebus.com/health.
Ravinia Festival: 2020 Summer Season CanceledRavinia Festival announced the cancellation of its summer 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, the first time it has done so since the Great Depression. Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman, who had previously announced that 2020 would be his final season, explained that Ravinia's Board of Trustees felt strongly that the decision to cancel the season prioritized the health and safety of Ravinia's artists, audiences, staff, and neighbors. The announcement is in line with cancellations of other summer festivals. Ravinia will explore ways to host a virtual season on its social media platforms. More information is available from Ravinia Festival.
Moraine Township: Door-to-Door Van suspended for most; Passport application, VITA programs suspended
Moraine Township has suspended the Door-to-Door Van service except for those going to dialysis or chemotherapy treatments until it is safe to resume the program. The Township's income tax preparation service, VITA, as well as the passport application program, are also suspended. However, Moraine Township continues to provide access to the Food Pantry; beginning March 16, the Pantry will provde pre-bagged food to clients and families receiving free meals from NSSD #112. Township staff will help residents with applications for Township or other assistance by phone. Township staff will likewise perform wellness checks via phone with senior clients.