In this issue...

• Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for On-Premises Dining Now In Effect
• COVID-19 Updates
• City Council Meeting
• Business of the Week
• Annual Parkway Tree Pruning Program
• Holiday Tree, Lights Disposal
• Holiday Season Safe Driving Campaign

Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination For On-Premises Dining Requirement In Effect

The City’s temporary requirement that everyone age 5 and older show proof of COVID-19 vaccination when dining at on-premises dining establishments goes into effect today, Friday, January 7. Individuals with a medical exemption may show proof of a negative COVID-19 test administered by a medical professional within the last 24 hours. The measure does not apply to people visiting a restaurant for less than ten minutes for ordering or picking up food, making a delivery, or using the washroom.

The order applies to restaurants and other businesses where food and drink are served on-site because people must remove their masks to eat, and according to the CDC, masks are effective non-pharmaceutical interventions that help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Requiring proof of vaccination in this setting is intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19, protect the vulnerable such as those who are immunocompromised and children who are too young to be vaccinated, and prevent additional strain on our healthcare system, which has already resulted in the temporary suspension of elective surgeries and a realignment of healthcare services to respond to the wave of COVID-19 hospitalizations.

As of January 6, 2022, IDPH reports that the current 7-day rolling positivity rate in Lake County is 16.5% and that ICU availability in Region 9 (Lake & McHenry Counties) stands at 15%. As a reminder, IDPH targets are less than 8% positivity rate and ICU bed availability of more than 20%. IDPH recommends using these indicators to consider community mitigation interventions to control the spread of COVID-19. The City continues to consult with public health officials at the Lake County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health in monitoring and interpreting these metrics. IDPH data is available online at dph.illinois.gov.

Although vaccinated people can catch and transmit COVID-19, they are far less likely to experience severe illness or require critical care. According to the Lake County Health Department, vaccinated individuals are 6x less likely to become infected, 11x less likely to be hospitalized, and 14x less likely to die from COVID-19 than unvaccinated adults. Temporarily requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for on-premises dining, where masks are removed for extended periods of time, balances the need to take action to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our area with the strong desire to support our local business community in remaining open for service. 

The City’s local order mirrors local regulations in Evanston, Skokie, and Chicago, as well as that of Cook County, which impacts all Cook County communities. For more information, including an FAQ and resources for business owners, visit cityhpil.com/covid-19. Questions regarding this temporary requirement may be directed to the City Manager’s Office, at 847.926.1000 or cityhp@cityhpil.com. 

COVID-19 Updates

• Today, Friday, January 7, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported that there were 201,428 new cases of COVID-19 in Illinois over the past week, including 444 deaths (since December 31, 2021).
• Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed a new Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation extending the statewide declaration through Sunday, February 6, 2022. Additionally, Governor Pritzker signed Executive Order (EO) 2022-01 to extend previous executive orders.
• Booster doses have been authorized for all Americans over 12 years of age. The FDA has created a graphic to help individuals determine when to schedule an appointment for a booster.
• A new CDC study indicates that children and teens 18 years and younger who have had COVID-19 are up to 2.5 times more likely to be newly diagnosed with diabetes after infection. Preventing COVID-19 among children and teens is important to slow the spread and protect them from other possible effects of the disease. Learn more.

City Council Meeting

The next City Council meeting will be held virtually on Monday, January 10, beginning at 5:30 PM. The Committee of the Whole will follow immediately after.

The agenda, including information regarding public comment and the Zoom link, is available at cityhpil.com/agendacenter.

Business of the Week: Glamour Girlz Central

Glamour Girlz Central carries trendy apparel and accessories from infant sizes thru adults. The boutique also stocks great gifts for birthdays and other occasions including crafts, spa wear, and fuzzy loungewear, and even has a section for boys!

In addition, Glamour Girlz Central is a full-service nail salon and a fabulous place for your next Mommy/Daughter date or birthday party!

Glamour Girlz Central - 457 Central Avenue

847.926.3161 / glamour-girlz-party.com

Annual Parkway Tree Pruning Program 

The City manages approximately 30,000 public parkway trees. As part of urban forestry best management practices, annual tree pruning is an important program to sustain a healthy tree Urban Forest. This year, Highland Park’s contractor, Balanced Environments Inc., will perform routine pruning on approximately 1/7th of the parkway tree population. This annual routine pruning program cycles through a different neighborhood each year. All City parkway trees in the prescribed neighborhood are pruned for proper form and structure, clearance over the streets and sidewalks, removal of dead and dying limbs and other preventative measures. This important program results in more resilient and healthier parkway trees for our residents to enjoy.

In 2022, the City’s pruning program will be in Region 7, an area east of Route 41 between Clavey Road and Lake Cook Road and also in Region 1, northwest corner of Highland Park. Work is expected to begin mid-January and is completed by mid-April. For additional information on the City’s forestry practices including information on the advantages of pruning private residential trees please contact City Forester Ben Miller at 847.926.1179 or bmiller@cityhpil.com.

Holiday Tree Disposal

Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) will collect, transport, and dispose of holiday trees left curbside and free of decorations by all customers on their primary collection day, now through January 25. A sticker is not required. Contact LRS at 773.685.8811 with questions. Please note: trees that are 4' tall or taller should be cut in half.

Residents may also drop off trees free of decorations, wires or any other materials for recycling by the Park District through January 23. Drop-off locations are in posted areas of parking lots at Larry Fink Park, 1377 Deer Creek Parkway, and Danny Cunniff Park, 2700 Trailway. Park District crews chip the trees for use as mulch. Residents are welcome to use the mulch for their own gardens and landscapes. Contact Dan Voss, Director of Parks, at 847.579.3130 or dvoss@pdhp.org with questions.

Holiday lights may be recycled at the Highland Park Recycling Center, which is open every Tuesday and the first Saturday of the month from 7 AM - 1 PM, at 1180 Half-Day Road.

Holiday Season Safe Driving Campaign

During the holiday season, the City of Highland Park was successful in educating motorists to drive sober and fasten their seat belts. There are a number of advantages to wearing a seatbelt and ensuring that all passengers, especially children, are properly buckled up, including: 

• Seatbelts provide safety to everyone in the vehicle.
• Seatbelts are designed to work with your airbags.
• Avoid fines for not wearing your seatbelt.
• Seatbelts reduce the risks of serious injuries and death.

The Police Department also recommends these safe and responsible ways to get home safe:

• Plan for a sober ride home. Designate a sober driver, take public transportation or use a ride-sharing service. 
• If you are with a friend or family member who intends to drive impaired, take their keys away and arrange to get them home safely.
• Always buckle up! It is your best defense against impaired drivers

As a reminder, in Illinois, children are required to be in a car seat or booster seat until at least age 8 and all children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat. In addition, adult rear passengers are required to wear seatbelts in Illinois. 

The Police Department is collaborating with the Illinois Department of Transportation and law enforcement throughout the state to encourage occupant protection and driving sober.

The Illinois Click It or Ticket campaign is administered by IDOT with federal highway safety funds managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.