Lake County Gazette

Eddie “Coach” Weinhaus, an activist judicial reformer and parent of children at Edgewood Middle School and Highland Park High School, is speaking out after recording devices were discovered to have captured footage of students and adults in bathrooms at both schools.

A vocal advocate for school accountability, Weinhaus has long raised concerns about school security and believes leadership failed to take necessary actions to prevent incidents like this.

“Based on their prior personnel decisions, they hadn't taken security seriously at Highland Park High School for some time,” Weinhaus told the Lake County Gazette.

Eddie Weinhaus | Facebook / Eddie Weinhaus

The discovery of a recording device in a Highland Park High School prompted the investigation. 

A joint statement from North Shore District 112 Superintendent Dr. Michael Lubelfeld, District 113 Superintendent Dr. Chala Holland, City Manager Ghida Neukirch, and Police Chief Lou Jogmen confirmed that unlawful recordings were found in bathrooms at both schools.

“The Highland Park Police Department was immediately contacted after a staff member discovered a suspicious electronic device in a washroom at Highland Park High School,” the statement reads. “It was also determined that there was evidence of prior recording in a bathroom at Edgewood Middle School.”

According to the statement, Highland Park police were contacted after a suspicious device was discovered at Highland Park High School, and prior recordings were found at Edgewood Middle School.

A juvenile student is in custody for allegedly placing the cameras and recording devices in the restrooms.

“We recognize that this situation is very concerning and will raise many questions,” the statement reads. “Due to the active investigation of this juvenile matter, we are limited in what we can share regarding its progress. However, we want to assure you that we are closely collaborating to facilitate law enforcement’s investigation and support all those impacted.” 

The signatories also said they searched all district schools “to ensure there are no other recording devices.”

Weinhaus also pointed to a meeting he had in May 2023 with then-District 113 Superintendent Bruce Law, where he voiced concerns about the head of security at Highland Park High School, who he felt compromised school safety.

“They've gone from needing far better security personnel to far better lawyers,” said Weinhaus.

Weinhaus is no stranger to standing up for accountability in education. 

In 2008, he led a parent protest movement demanding responsibility from Parkway schools in St. Louis County after a disturbing incident known as “Hit A Jew Day,” where students organized offensive activities targeting Jewish students. 

The protest brought national attention to the district’s failure to address serious issues.