Lake County Gazette

City of Highland Park issued the following announcement on Sept. 21

Last week, the Sister Cities Foundation held a ceremony to dedicate The Pierce Garden, honoring the legacy of founder and former Mayor Daniel M. Pierce. The Pierce Garden is located in the Sister Cities Park at the corner of Central Avenue and First Street in downtown Highland Park. Filled with native plants that bloom throughout the year, the garden was designed as a living memorial to Pierce. Visit cityhpil.com/sistercities to learn more about The Pierce Garden. 

City officials attending the event included Mayor Nancy Rotering, Councilmembers Annette Lidawer and Andrés Tapia, and City Manager Ghida Neukirch. Rhoda Pierce, North Shore Water Reclamation District Trustee, Sister Cities Foundation President Carol Wolfe, and Rick Wolfe also spoke at the event. 

Electricity Aggregation Program FAQ

Over the last few weeks, residents and small business owners should have received informational letters from MC Squared Energy Services, LLC (mc2) and ComEd about a change in electric supply from ComEd to mc2. More information about the electricity aggregation program is available at cityhpil.com/aggregation. Have a question that's not answered here? Reach out to cityhp@cityhpil.com.

Are these letters legitimate?

Yes, letters from MC Squared Energy Services, LLC (mc2) and ComEd about the change in supplier to mc2 are legitimate and are authorized by the City. mc2 is the City's only authorized alternative electricity supplier.

Why did the City contract with mc2 to serve as electric supplier and what is the benefit to the community?

Highland Park's participation in the North Shore Electricity Aggregation Consortium's electricity aggregation program will provide the City with a civic contribution from mc2 of approximately $120,000 to $140,000 per year. These funds will be used to advance the City's sustainability objectives including sustainability infrastructure projects or may be used to procure renewable energy credits (RECs) to reduce the City's carbon footprint. Notably, this revenue source is being provided to the City by mc2 for sustainability purposes without any additional costs paid by Highland Park residents or businesses for their electricity use.

Will my electric service switch from ComEd if mc2 is the electric supplier?

No. ComEd will continue to be responsible for the transmission, delivery, billing, and management of your electricity service. You'll continue to be billed by ComEd (and pay ComEd) as normal. Service concerns such as outages should continue to be reported to ComEd. ComEd owns and operates the electricity infrastructure that delivers electricity to Highland Park properties. The only change that customers will observe is that mc2 will be listed as the electricity supplier on ComEd bills.

Can I opt-out of this program?

Unless you choose to opt-out or received a letter that your account is remaining with ComEd and will not be transitioned, mc2 will automatically become the electricity supplier for your ComEd account under the City's aggregation program. If you received an opt-out letter and do not wish to have mc2 serve as your electric supplier, you must take action to opt-out of the program. To opt-out, you may call mc2 at 855.697.0286, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM or e-mail HighlandPark@mc2energyservices.com. If you do not opt-out and transition to mc2 for electric supply but would like to later opt-out, there is no termination fee or penalties at any time for switching your electric supply back to ComEd. Please note that ComEd will remain responsible for the delivery and transmission of your electric service. You will still receive an electric bill from ComEd and ComEd will still be the entity that you call in the event of a power outage.

If I decide to participate now, can I choose to opt-out later?

You may cancel at any time without any penalties or fees by calling mc2 at 855.697.0286, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

Is there an additional cost for consumers through this program?

No, there are no additional costs to consumers with the change in electricity supply to mc2. If you decide to participate, your monthly bill will always match ComEd's monthly published rate. Participants will never pay more than they would have paid with ComEd.

Are there cost savings for participants in the program?

No, your monthly rate will always match ComEd's monthly published rate.

What is the difference between electricity supply and electric delivery?

This program only impacts the supplier of your electricity. Illinois allows residents (or in our case, a consortium of municipalities) to obtain electricity supply from a vendor other than ComEd. ComEd remains responsible for electricity delivery and service. Your electricity supplier doesn't impact how electricity is delivered to your home. Here's how billing works.

Electric bills are typically divided into three categories:

• Supply charge: This is based on the amount of electricity used during the billing cycle. ComEd publishes a monthly kilowatt-hour rate, which can vary from month to month. Electricity supply provided by mc2 will always match this monthly published rate. The name of the supplier is the only part of your bill that will change, and the charge rate will not change.
• Electricity transmission charge: The cost to deliver generated electricity to our service area. This will remain with ComEd. This is based on how much electricity you use. It will continue to be calculated the same way regardless of your electricity supplier.
• Delivery services charge: The cost to provide service at your home. This will remain with ComEd, and it will be the same regardless of your electricity supplier.

What should community solar subscribers do if they receive an opt-out letter?

If you have a community solar subscription for your electricity account and you received an opt-out notice from mc2 or ComEd, it is recommended that you opt-out of the City's electricity aggregation program to continue receiving the maximum benefit from your community solar subscription. If you have a community solar subscription and would like to opt-out, please call mc2 at 855.697.0286, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

Is mc2 going door-to-door with information about this program?

No. mc2 is not conducting door-to-door solicitations for this program. Any solicitor who comes to your door or calls asking you to switch to a new supplier is not associated with Highland Park's Electric Aggregation Program, mc2 or ComEd. MC Squared Energy Services, LLC (mc2) is the only vendor endorsed by the City of Highland Park.

COVID-19 Updates

• Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and community partners announced $327 million in Help Illinois Families assistance now available through the Low-Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG). The program offers expanded services to support Illinois' most vulnerable residents with rent, utilities, food, and other household expenses regardless of immigration status.
• Governor Pritzker has extended the Eviction Moratorium until October 3, 2021. This will be the final extension of the Moratorium. Rental assistance is available through Lake County.
• At a press briefing, NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci provided an update on efforts to address "long-COVID," the symptoms of which may impact many individuals who have recovered from COVID-19, and an NIH grant that will support scientific research into the treatment of this post-COVID condition.
• At a press briefing, the White House announced that travel restrictions currently prohibiting entry from individuals in 33 countries will be lifted in November. In place of country-specific policies, regulations will shift to requiring individual travelers to show proof of full vaccination as well as a negative test prior to entry into the United States.
• As a reminder, due to the pandemic, Metra is running a new, pilot schedule on the UP-N line and others. View schedules here.
• In Season at the Ravinia Farmers Market

The late summer harvest is in full swing at this week’s Ravinia Farmers Market, Wednesday, September 22 from 7 AM -1 PM at Jens Jensen Park in the Ravinia Business District. Be sure to shop for all your weekly menu needs around what’s in season this week: produce, fruit, farm fresh eggs, cheeses, meats, fish, veggie burgers, artisan breads, pastries, snacks, pickles and condiments, local honey, and maple syrup, cut flowers for your table and so much more!

Shop for festive pumpkins and gourds for decorating and baking! Be sure to pick up heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, fall squash, greens and lettuces, herbs and other late summer local and organically grown produce! It’s still fruit season, and this week’s Market is abundant with Midwest pears, apples, jams and jellies, and more.

Live music is sponsored by the Highland Park Community Foundation.

Learn more about this week's Market.

Noise RegulationsDid you know? The City Code includes regulations to limit nuisance noises that may disturb others. Examples include excessively loud music and noise caused by construction or landscaping services outside of approved or authorized hours. Regulations are in effect from 8:00 PM until 7:00 AM, when the following day is Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 PM until 9:00 AM when the following day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Note that some types of noise are exempt from this regulation, including emergency operations, approved special events, and more.

Community Partners for Affordable Housing Accessibility Improvements Grant Program

Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) offers a Home Accessibility Improvements Grant Program for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Eligible individuals may be awarded up to $20,000 for accessibility improvements to their homes. Eligible projects include accessible ramps, lifts, accessible bathrooms and kitchens, and more.

To qualify, applicants must meet certain requirements, including age or disability status, residency requirements, and income and home-value qualifications.

Download the program flyer.

Photography ContestThe 2021 Capture the Heart of Highland Park photography contest is now accepting submissions! 

The 2021 photo categories are:

1. Arts & Architecture

2. Environmental

3. Daily Life

4. Pets of Highland Park

5. Portraiture

The Cultural Arts Advisory Group will consider submissions in October. A Community Favorite will also be awarded; more information about the community voting process will follow. 

The contest is open to all residents and businesses in Highland Park (professional or hobbyist) through October 4, 2021. Learn more about the photo contest and submission details, including the Photographer Release and Waiver form, at www.cityhpil.com/photocontest.

Enter the contest!

Operation Clear Track Rail Safety RemindersThis week is Rail Safety Week, an initiative that aims to raise awareness of the importance of safe behavior near tracks and trains to reduce the number of railway crossing and trespassing incidents in the US and Canada.

As part of Operation Clear Track, the Highland Park Police Department shares the following rail safety tips:

• Cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or railway crossings.
• Look both ways before crossing train tracks.
• Never drive around lowered gates.
• Flashing red lights indicate a train is approaching from either direction. Do not cross the tracks until the lights have stopped.
• Once a train has passed, wait until you can clearly see around the first train in both directions before crossing. A second train might be blocked by the first.
• If your vehicle ever stalls on train tracks, get out and get away from the vehicle, even if you do not see a train. Report the stalled vehicle via the phone number provided on the nearby Emergency Notification System sign.
• Never walk, run, cycle, or operate all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on railroad tracks, rights-of-way or through tunnels.
• At railroad crossings, always expect a train -- freight trains do not follow set schedules.

Find more rail safety recommendations at oli.org.

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