I would like to plan a community event for the one-year mark since the shooting. Would the City sponsor it?
The City has pre-approved events it is coordinating for the one-year remembrance. Depending on the type, location, and nature of your event, a special event permit may be required. A permit application can be found on the City’s web site at cityhpil.com. Due to the extensive community events planned for July 4, 2023, no special event permits will be issued from July 3 – 5, 2023. Please contact the City Manager’s Office for more information at 847.926.1000.
Yes, individuals may choose to decorate their homes for the holiday. However, community members will have unique comfort levels with traditional July 4 activities, décor, and clothing. Please be understanding and considerate of neighbors who may have a different comfort level.
I would like to plan an event or fundraiser for survivors. Can the City help me plan?
Please contact the City at hpcares@cityhpil.com and a member of the Resiliency Division team will respond.
What is the City's approach to the permanent memorial process? Where can I find information about the permanent memorial process?
The City of Highland Park is committed to implementing a trauma-informed approach to the planning process, incorporating expert feedback and best practices throughout. The permanent memorial will ensure that the lives and legacies of those taken in the Highland Park shooting are remembered and respected. In discussions regarding the permanent memorial framework, the City Council has underscored the importance of taking a deliberate and measured approach to balance the diverse needs of various stakeholders who were directly impacted by the shooting. This will be accomplished through continued public engagement, including feedback from victims’ families and survivors and continued bilingual outreach to the Latino community. All meetings of the planning group will be open to the public, with agendas and minutes posted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.
Planning for the permanent memorial is anticipated to be a multi-year, transparent process, following the City’s existing public meeting structure and providing multiple opportunities for public input that will be communicated throughout the process. The City will continue to inform the community as these discussions progress with updates via the City’s website at cityhpil.com/permanentmemorial, the twice-weekly City eNews (cityhpil.com/enews) and social media (facebook.com/HighlandParkIL and twitter.com/CityHPIL.)
I would like to host a fundraiser for the permanent memorial. Whom should I contact?
The City continues to thoughtfully consider a trauma-informed approach to planning for the permanent memorial. Fundraising will be part of this planning process. However, the City is still discussing the framework for moving forward with the permanent memorial, in close partnership with the Park District of Highland Park. City Council is anticipated to resume its discussion on this topic in late summer 2023. Further information is available at cityhpil.com/permanentmemorial.