February 15, 2022   In this issue...

• Spring Clean-Up Dates
• 2022 Neighborhood Meetings
• Ravinia Fire Station Update
• City Council Meeting Recap
• Help Name Our Community Service Dog
• Last Chance: Highland Park Awards Nominations
• COVID-19 Updates
• Lake County Paratransit Service

2022 Spring Clean-Up Dates

Despite the snow in our forecast later this week, spring is just around the corner! Lakeshore Recycling Systems’ annual Spring Clean-Up for single-family residential customers returns in April and May.

Regular Collection Date

Monday

Tuesday

Thursday

Friday

Spring Clean-Up (Saturdays)

April 23

April 30

May 7

May 14

LRS is not able to accept the following items:

• More than 1 cubic yard of construction material
• White goods (refrigerators, stoves, etc.)
• Electronic waste
• Yard waste

To keep City streets clean, please do not place material out for collection earlier than one week before the scheduled collection day. Please be cognizant of litter and take care to secure items so they do not blow away

If you have an appliance or white good (washer and dryer, refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, stove, AC unit, hot water heater, freezer, etc.) that needs removal, please contact an LRS Service Representative at 773.685.8811 or info@lrsrecycles.com to schedule service. A charge of $40.00 per item will be charged.

Neighborhood Meetings

The City of Highland Park, North Shore School District 112, Township High School District 113, Park District of Highland Park, Highland Park Public Library, Moraine Township, Lake County and other governments serving Highland Park will host several Neighborhood Meetings this spring to meet with residents and discuss Highland Park community priorities.

Neighborhood Meetings are an opportunity for residents to interact with staff and elected officials in a friendly, informal environment. The public is invited to provide input and feedback to Highland Park's governing bodies. Residents may attend any meeting. The schedule of these two-way conversations are:

• Tuesday, April 5 at 11 AM
• Monday, April 18 at 5:30 PM
• Thursday, May 5 at 5:30 PM

These meetings will be virtual. Please RSVP and indicate which meeting you wish to attend. The unique link will be provided. Links are also posted on the Meeting Calendar on the City's website. For more information and to RSVP, please contact the City at 847.926.1000 or cityhp@cityhpil.com.

Ravinia Fire Station Update

The temporary Ravinia Fire Station is almost complete! Tentative plans are to relocate the Ravinia Fire Station to the temporary facility just across the street in early March. The Fire Department plans to use the vacated building for one week for training purposes. Demolition of the existing structure will start thereafter. The City will be retaining several items, such as bricks and doors, from the current station to be used in the new station. In addition, the City has been in touch with retired firefighters to give them the opportunity to take home a piece of the current station where they spent so much time serving our community.

To receive email updates regarding this project, please call 847.926.1000 or email cityhp@cityhpil.com.

City Council Meeting Recap

At the Monday, February 14, 2022 City Council meeting Mayor Rotering and the City Council recognized the Highland Park Community Foundation's 30th anniversary with a Proclamation declaring March 7 - 13 as the Highland Park Community Foundation Week. The Community Foundation works to support organizations and programs that address the unmet needs of our community and expand opportunities for all Highland Park and Highwood residents. Learn more about Community Foundation at hpcfil.org.

Mayor Rotering also presented the 2022 State of the City, reflecting on the City's progress in responding to and managing the impacts of the pandemic, highlighting several key initiatives, and looking ahead to major projects on the horizon in 2022. View the State of the City video.

City Council approved the extension of the westerly limits of an existing one-way (eastbound only) public alley off of Sheridan Road, located between Park Ave. & Central Ave. to the north and south, and Linden Ave. and Sheridan Rd. from the east and west. The change will make the parking lot for the condominiums located at 420-426 Park Ave. more accessible for residents. The signage in the alley will be updated to reflect the change.

City Council approved an ordinance to add a new land use, "Retail Fulfilment Center," to the zoning code with related regulations for the I, B3, and B4-BG zoning districts. Examples of this type of use, for which demand has grown due to the pandemic, include Walmart Pick-up facilities and DashMart convenience centers.

Councilmember Lidawer provided a report on her work as City Council liaison to the Human Relations Advisory Group and the Park District of Highland Park. In addition, City Manager Neukirch shared updates regarding the City's pandemic response and two new initiatives: the City's new community service and wellness dog and the Share the Love social media challenge.

During the Committee of the Whole, City Manager Neukirch provided an update regarding two new proposals for residential service from Lakeshore Recycling Systems. The proposals are for a five-year agreement, maintaining the City's current service options with certain changes in residential fees to align with current costs of service. A chart comparing the current and proposed costs for the City's different service options was reviewed during City Manager Neukirch's presentation.

Each proposal includes the option for the City to add a year-round organics program for all residential customers, which would include compost and yard waste collection. Should the City renew its agreement with LRS, it will receive a $25,000 incentive payment which would be applied to the Sustainability Fund.

In addition, City Council supported the elimination of the permit requirement for window replacement.

Agenda packets and video for the City Council and Committee of the Whole meetings are available at cityhpil.com/agendacenter.

Help Name Our New Community Service Dog! 

Community members are invited to submit a name for the newest member of the Highland Park Police Department, a highly-trained walker hound who will serve as the City's community service and wellness dog! Suggestions from the general public will be accepted through February 20, 2022, and voting for the community’s choice will be available from February 22 – February 28. The name options will be presented to the dog next to plates of treats, and the dog will choose a treat and a name before beginning his training with Highland Park officers.

Learn more about our new pawfficer!

Highland Park Awards: Last Chance!

The City of Highland Park is now accepting nominations for several awards honoring the outstanding achievements and contributions of community members and organizations. Nominations for the 2022 Highland Park Awards may be submitted online via the City’s website at cityhpil.com/awards through February 21, 2022. 

Learn more and submit a nomination.

COVID-19 Updates

• Anyone 5 years of age and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Find your nearest vaccination location at vaccines.gov or call 833.621.1284 to schedule an appointment near you.
• The Lake County Health Department provides COVID-19 vaccinations to individuals who are homebound. Call 224.374.0427 to learn more.
• All US households may request four free, at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests at covidtests.gov.

Lake County Paratransit Service

A new county-wide paratransit service for seniors age 60+ and individuals with disabilities is launching on May 1! Ride Lake County will provide borderless transit to eligible riders for work, shopping, medical appointments and more.

Learn more about Ride Lake County. Share Share Share