The City's COVID-19 website pages are updated regularly. These frequently asked questions, as well as the sidebar menu, will help you navigate through the resources the City has prepared.
Do you have a question that's not on our list? City staff are responding to calls and voicemails at 847.926.1000 and emails at cityhp@cityhpil.com.
Last updated July 2, 2021.
What actions has the City taken so far?
The list below is not exhaustive. For the most up-to-date listing of current COVID-19 mitigations in effect for the State of Illinois, Region 9, and the City, click here.
Visit cityhpil.com/vaccine for a list of vaccination appointment locators. Appointments are available via AllVax, the scheduler for the Lake County Health Department, as well as through local health systems and pharmacies.
I live out of state. How can I register my parents for the COVID-19 vaccine?
Visit cityhpil.com/vaccine for a list of vaccination appointment locators. Appointments are available via AllVax, the scheduler for the Lake County Health Department, as well as through local health systems and pharmacies.
What actions can I take to protect myself and my family?
Avoid gatherings with individuals from other households and remember the 3W's:
Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth when in a public setting
Watch your distance and stay 6 ft. from others who are not in your household
Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer.
All Illinoisans are urged to wear face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Face coverings should cover the nose and mouth. Individuals ages 2 and older should wear a face covering in all indoor public spaces and in outdoor public spaces when a distance of 6' from others cannot be maintained.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also strongly recommends social distancing to reduce the spread of illness. This graphic from IDPH illustrates ways to prevent illness.
Here are additional social distancing strategies to reduce the spread of disease:
Stay home as much as possible. COVID-19 is highly contagious and there is clear evidence of community spread throughout Lake County. Staying home saves lives.
Only leave your home for essential services, like grocery or pharmacy shopping and healthcare needs.
Avoid touching the face, especially the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, using soap and water for at least twenty seconds.
When you must leave your home, practice good “social distancing” by keeping a six-foot distance from individuals outside your household.
Wear a fabric face covering to protect yourself and others when you must leave your home.
Enjoy fresh air through an open window or in your backyard.
Use technology to engage with friends and family via videoconferencing or phone.
What symptoms should I watch out for? What should I do if I observe any of these symptoms?
If you observe any of the following symptoms, call your healthcare provider. They will ask questions and provide next steps for treatment. Your healthcare provider can answer any personal medical questions, and the Illinois Department of Public Health answers questions about COVID-19 at dph.sick@illinois.gov. Residents may also contact Highland Park Hospital at 847.432.5849 or visit www.northshoreconnect.org.
NorthShore University HealthSystem asks residents experiencing the symptoms below to please contact the community health hotline at 847.432.5849 or begin an E-Visit through NorthShoreConnect.
Symptoms of COVID-19:
Loss or decrease in sense of smell
Loss or decrease in sense of taste
Fever (temperature of 100 or higher)
Cough
Congestion
Runny nose
Sore throat
Shortness of breath
Flu-like body aches
If you are calling for emergency assistance please inform the dispatcher of any of the above symptoms.
What is the current guidance from Lake County Health regarding travel?
To limit the spread of COVID-19, the Health Department recommends avoiding all non-essential travel. Visit LCHD's Community Guidance and Resources page for more information.
Where can I find information about COVID-19 testing?
Free COVID-19 testing is provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health at convenient locations throughout the state. To find a COVID-19 testing site, visit dph.illinois.gov/testing.
The two nearest IDPH testing sites are:
Waukegan 102 W. Water Street Waukegan Mon-Wed-Fri-Sat 8:00am – 4:00pm
Where can I find information about the FDA hand sanitizer recall?
July 2, 2021 --
A Drug Safety Communication has been issued for hand sanitizers, warning that symptoms such as headache, nausea, and dizziness can occur after applying alcohol-based hand sanitizers to the skin and inhaling the vapors that can linger.
The Food and Drug Administration has issued an urgent warning to American consumers regarding the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain methanol and 1-propanolol.
Methanol, known as wood alcohol, is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin and life-threatening if ingested. Individuals who may have been exposed to methanol via hand sanitizer should seek medical care if experiencing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, and others.
1-propanol, not to be confused with 2-propanol/isopropanol/isopropyl alcohol can be toxic and life-threatening when ingested. Skin or eye exposure to 1-propanol can result in irritation, and rare cases of allergic skin reactions have been reported. Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing 1-propanol and are experiencing symptoms such as confusion, decreased consciousness, and slowed pulse and breathing should seek immediate care for treatment of toxic effects of 1-propanol poisoning.
The FDA has assigned an import alert to hand sanitizers containing methanol and contaminated with 1-propanolol, and is working with manufacturers to recall products. The FDA is also actively investigating the distribution of products containing undeclared methanol.
The FDA regularly updates a list of dangerous hand sanitizer products. The list appears at the bottom of the page; consumers should compare the manufacturer name, product name, and National Drug Code (NDC) number to determine if a product has been recalled. The FDA encourages individuals to avoid using all products by manufacturers appearing on the list since some manufacturers are not recalling all potentially affected products.
What are good sources of information about COVID-19?
Lake County Health Department The Lake County Health Department is coordinating county-wide response and offers a wealth of information on its dedicated COVID-19 website. Resources available from the LCHD include:
Informational videos, including PSAs, Q&A with Dr. Sana Ahmed, and messages from Lake County leaders
Illinois Department of Public Health New: Illinois Department of Public Health State-wide Dashboard On Monday, April 6, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) launched a new, statewide COVID-19 statistics dashboard. The dashboard includes a wealth of data on the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state. Demographic data includes age, race, and gender, and the dashboard reports on both confirmed cases and deaths. The data can be sorted by county or zip code, and will be updated daily.
Where can I find information about Restore Illinois, Governor Pritzker's plan to reopen the Illinois economy?
Restore Illinois is a five-phase plan designed to navigate the coronavirus pandemic and reopen the statewide economy, including business, education, and recreation. "Restore Illinois" prioritizes saving lives and livelihoods through a safe reopening of the state's regions; the City of Highland Park is in the northeast region. This approach will allow the Illinois Department of Public Health to make a recommendation as to the reopening of a particular region based on its reported metrics. The IDPH is tracking this data by region on its website. More information about the plan is accessible at coronavirus.illinois.gov and an FAQ is available from the IDPH. The City has also prepared a Restore Illinois FAQ.
July 15, 2020: Office of the Governor and IDPH release COVID-19 Mitigation Plan (News Release; Plan). The Plan addresses strategies that may be implemented to control an outbreak or surge in cases of COVID-19.
June 22, 2020: State of Illinois Issues Phase 4 Guidelines for Reopening. An overview of changes from Phase 3 has also been released. All regions of the State are on track to enter Phase 4 on Friday, June 26, 2020. More information will shared as it becomes available.
The data-driven plan was developed in consultation with the Illinois Department of Public Health, stakeholders from a variety of sectors, and elected officials and leaders from different regions of the state. The plan identifies five phases of the coronavirus pandemic, divides the state into four regions, and specifies benchmarks related to cases and healthcare capacity, testing, and tracing that each region must meet in order to progress to the next phase. The full Restore Illinois plan provides specific criteria for progress and describes scenarios that could cause a particular region to take a step back, such as a significant outbreak that threatens a region's overall health.
The plan will be reviewed and updated as necessary in response to ongoing analysis of public health data and new scientific developments.
What is contact tracing?
Contract tracing has been identified as a key strategy in tracking and controlling the spread of COVID-19. Contact tracing asks individuals with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis to try to identify, as best as they can, where they may have traveled, and who they may have encountered before they were diagnosed. Local health departments then follow up with those businesses and individuals to advise them of a potential COVID-19 exposure.
The following video from the Lake County Health Department provides more information about contact tracing:
Where can I find information about COVID-19 scams?
The FBI and the FTC urge all Americans to remain alert for COVID-19 related fraud and scams. Scams may include:
Contact Tracing impostor scams, in which an individual poses as a contact tracer in an attempt to gain personal information, such as bank account details or Social Security numbers. Contact tracing is an important tool to track and prevent the spread of COVID-19, and relies on trained workers contacting individuals who have been tested positive for COVID-19 in an effort to determine if any other individuals were inadvertently exposed. Contact tracers will never ask for payment, credit or banking information, Social Security numbers, immigration status, or other personal information.
Fraudulent unemployment claims using stolen identities. Many individuals may not realize their information has been stolen until they attempt to register unemployment claims, or a notice is made to their employer. The FBI encourages individuals to review bank statements and credit or debit card transactions for suspicious activity. If you receive a debit card or unemployment insurance letter and did not apply for benefits, please report this activity to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Scammers posing as government officials, such as the IRS or the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). IHDA reports that it has identified new scams targeting applicants of the Emergency Rental or Mortgage Assistance Programs; scammers may try to obtain personal information or request a fee to apply for this emergency assistance. IHDA will not contact applicants seeking personal information, and applications are free.
Where can I find information from Highland Park Hospital?
Find the most updated information from NorthShore University HealthSystem on their website.
Where can I find information about the impact of tobacco and smoking on COVID-19?
According to the Lake County Health Department, individuals who smoke are more likely to have severe symptoms of COVID-19. In addition, the exhalation of secondhand smoke from cigarettes and e-cigarette aerosol can transmit the COVID-19 virus farther than usual. Click here to learn more.
Where can I find information for small business owners?
The City’s Office of Business Development is working to provide regular updates to our business community, understanding the great sacrifices business owners and employees are making to support city- and statewide measures to protect public health. Visit this page for the latest information for business owners.
Where can I find information about grocery or restaurant delivery?
The City has created a new, interactive map of Highland Park restaurants which provides updated information about local restaurants that are open for outdoor dining, carryout, curbside pickup, and delivery at this time.
How can seniors access transportation for errands, vaccination, and appointments?
Faith in Action has offered non-emergency transportation services for medical appointments and essential errands at no cost to qualified seniors since 2004. To register for the program, call 847.721.8414 or email info@fiahelp.org.
ElderCare Lake County provides free transportation to medical appointments, assistance with grocery shopping, and friendly visits. Learn more at eldercarelakecounty.org. Please note that visits are currently conducted virtually by phone.
Where can I find information about economic relief for individuals, families, or businesses?
The City's Office of Business Development is regularly sharing information for business owners, including opportunities for financial relief, best practices, and webinars.
Where can I find information about filing for unemployment assistance?
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) administers unemployment benefits to qualifying individuals. The IDES website provides information specific to COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits.
Where can seniors find information about benefit programs to assist with medication, healthcare costs, or other services?
The Highland Park Senior Center provides social services, including counseling and referral services, wellness checks, Medicare Part D enrollment, assistance with completing health insurance forms, and more. Learn more about the services of the Highland Park Senior Center here.
The National Council on Aging's (NCOA) BenefitsCheckUp provides information about over 2,500 benefit programs available to seniors. Visit benefitscheckup.org and enter your zip code to learn more. An FAQ page provides information about how COVID-19 may impact some benefit programs.
Guidance from public health officials is clear that staying home is the best way to prevent the spread of illness. If you or someone you know is living in danger or in an abusive environment, help is available.
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic is accepting phone consultations to provide free, confidential assistance, particularly to victims of domestic violence by calling 847.737.4042. Download and share flyers about NS Legal Aid Clinic services in English and Spanish to spread the word.
Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress Helpline: 800.985.5990; text TalkWithUs to 66746
Crisis Text Line: text TALK to 741-741
In an emergency, always dial 911
COVID-19 support: Call4Calm
Illinois Department of Human Services has launched a free emotional support text line for Illinoisans experiencing stress related to COVID-19: Call4Calm. This isn’t a crisis hotline, but a source of support. To speak to a counselor, text TALK to 552020, or HABLAR for Spanish speakers.
You can also access a wider array of support using the same number on your mobile phone. Text 552020 with keywords such as “unemployment” or “food” or “shelter” for information and assistance.
Social services:
Referrals for Lake County-based social services:
211 Lake County: call 211; text zip code to 898211; visit 211lakecounty.org
Please be sure to familiarize yourself with any guidelines, restrictions, or operational changes that have been implemented to allow everyone to safely enjoy our beautiful outdoor spaces.
What steps has the City taken to ensure water quality?
Maintaining the safety of the City's water supply is one of our highest priorities. The World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency have all stated there is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus survives the municipal drinking water purification process. The Highland Park Water Plant's state-of-the-art facilities and procedures ensure the continued high quality and safety of the City's tap water.
The Highland Park Water Plant's membrane ultrafiltration system removes particles as small as 1/10 micron. Following filtration, our Lake Michigan tap water is disinfected with chlorine.
Throughout the treatment process, water quality is monitored continuously by automated instrumentation and organism removal is verified daily in our certified laboratory. Virus removal is calculated daily to ensure a minimum removal of 99.99%.
Annually, the City publishes a comprehensive water quality report, the 'Consumer Confidence Report,' or CCR, which is currently available on our website.
How is the City communicating with residents? How frequently?
For the latest news from the City, follow us on Facebook and sign up for our e-newsletter. eNews is sent on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, and as needed throughout the week.
For emergency alerts, please sign up for Smart911. Smart911 provides emergency responders with important information about you and any household members during an emergency. Sign up today by downloading the app or visiting www.smart911.com. All information is confidential.
Are residents required to wear face masks or face coverings?
On Thursday, May 13, the CDC announced new masking guidelines for both unvaccinated and vaccinated people. Fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Governor Pritzker announced that the State of Illinois would continue to align with CDC guidance on this matter. The City intends to continue to align with the State’s regulations. A formal Executive Order from the State of Illinois is forthcoming. In the meantime, the CDC guidelines are in effect.
As a reminder, individuals are fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after they receive the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine.
Every business or workplace has its own unique conditions, and CDC guidance allows business owners and employers to implement masking requirements if they choose. As the infographic below indicates, most of the activities that are safe for fully vaccinated individuals to resume without masks are not safe for unvaccinated individuals - even with a mask.
Because of this, business owners may choose to require masks in their stores or offices for the health and safety of their employees and clients. Customers are encouraged to be respectful of these requirements and of fellow patrons who continue to wear masks.
Learn more about the science behind this new guidance for vaccinated individuals in the CDC's updated science brief.
Where can I find information/patterns to make my own face covering?
How can I donate face coverings or medical-grade masks to the City?
Donations of fabric face coverings for residents of the City's senior living facilities would be welcome. Completed face coverings may be donated in the City's Payment Drop Box, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in the Hazel Street Parking Lot adjacent to City Hall, or left at the front entrance of City Hall during normal business hours.