Haga clic aquí para leer este artículo en español.

The City of Highland Park is undertaking a trauma-informed planning process to create a permanent place of remembrance that will pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Highland Park shooting, create a space(s) for reflection, remembrance, and solace, and honor the community’s resilience, especially those who were injured. As part of the planning process, the City seeks community feedback on three potential locations for the permanent place of remembrance:

• Port Clinton Plaza

• Rose Garden adjacent to City Hall

• Southwest corner of Central Ave. & St. Johns Ave.

A survey with guided and open-ended questions regarding these potential locations and the future permanent place of remembrance is available at hpremembrance.org/survey. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Russian, and Polish, and will be open through January 31, 2025. Paper copies are also available at City Hall (1707 St. Johns Ave.), the Highland Park Senior Center (1201 Park Ave. W.), and the Highland Park Public Library (494 Laurel Ave.)

These locations were identified from a long list of sites throughout Highland Park following extensive research, public discussion, and input from community members at meetings of the working group planning for a permanent place of remembrance. To learn more about the considerations taken into account by the working group in evaluating these locations and for additional background on each site, visit hpremembrance.org/meetings.

Survey responses are anonymous, and open-ended responses will be provided to the working group and City Council in their entirety. Please do not complete the survey more than once. 

In addition to requesting feedback on each of the potential locations above, the survey also asks for input regarding the goals, needs, and features of the place of remembrance. However, at this time, the working group’s focus is on providing an informed recommendation about the location for the consideration of the City Council. Once the Council decides upon a location, there will be additional opportunities for individuals to provide feedback on questions pertaining to the design of the space.

The City’s Resiliency Division provides support to individuals impacted by the Highland Park shooting. To learn more about mental health support, please contact Resiliency Manager Madeline Kati, LCSW, at mkati@cityhpil.com or 847.875.1043. Information about Resiliency Division services is also available at resilienthpil.org. For mental health support in Spanish, please contact Place of Remembrance working group member Gaby Valverde Strobehn, Donor Relations Manager at Josselyn, at 224.489.7632 or gstrobehn@josselyn.org.

The working group planning for a permanent place of remembrance is composed of Mayor Nancy Rotering, Councilmember Anthony Blumberg, City Manager Ghida Neukirch, Resiliency Manager Madeline Kati, LCSW, Park District of Highland Park Executive Director Brian Romes, and Josselyn Community Engagement Manager Gaby Valverde Strobehn. The working group has been meeting since late 2023; all meetings are open to the public. Visit hpremembrance.org to learn more about the working group, review meeting notes, and access upcoming meeting information.