The State of Illinois passed a law in the spring that will make Illinois one of 11 states to legalize recreational marijuana. The City of Highland Park has jurisdiction over zoning within our boundaries. This enables us to put in place regulations regarding where dispensaries can be located, and how many are allowed. We have a medical marijuana dispensary currently operating in Highland Park. A discussion regarding zoning for recreational marijuana dispensaries is scheduled to take place at the August 12 meeting of City Council. The meeting agenda will be posted to the City website on the Thursday before the meeting. You can find it by clicking on meeting information on the homepage. If you have an opinion on this issue, please email me to share your thoughts prior to the meeting.
Recycling Update
Clothing and Textile Recycling is now available 24/7 at 2 locations. In addition to the drop box at 1180 Half Day Road, there is now a bin in the parking space just south of the main Highland Park Metra Station. Please continue to bring paired shoes, styrofoam and compact fluorescent bulbs to the Recycling Center at 1180 Half Day Road between 7 am and 1 pm on Tuesdays and the first Saturday of each month.
Lakeshore Recycling Systems Seeks Input
Lakeshore Recycling Systems wants to know what you think of their service. This is your chance to provide input. Please click here to take the survey before July 1.
Spring Clean Up
Highland Park’s spring trash collection days are scheduled for April 27, May 4, 11 and 18. Please put recyclables out during your regular trash pick up and donate anything usable to a local charity. Learn more about how to recycle unusual items here and here.
If you have a bulky item under 50 pounds, you can place it next to your trash cart for pick up on your regular trash collection day rather than waiting for spring clean up. You can leave one large, or several small electronics at the curb on your first trash pick up day of the month. Electronic waste, styrofoam, and paired shoes can also be dropped off at the City’s Recycling Center. 1180 Half Day Road, from 7 am – 1 pm any Tuesday or the first Saturday of the month. Details are here. Textiles can be dropped off anytime in the collection box at the City’s Recycling Center. Used bicycles can be donated to Working Bikes.
If you have unwanted medications, please drop them off anytime in the disposal box at the HP Police Station, 1677 Old Deerfield Road. Details are here. SWALCO is hosting Household Chemical Waste drop off events on April 13 and 22 in Gurnee. Click here for more information and to make an appointment.
Going Solar
Since the passage of the Future Energy Jobs Act in 2016, many solar companies are now operating in Illinois. You can learn more about solar energy here. There are a variety of resources available to help you transition to solar energy. ComEd has this resource to help determine if solar is right for your home. If you choose to install a solar system, here are some questions you may want to consider when vetting contractors. Highland Park has simplified its solar permitting, and a checklist of requirements to install solar systems can be found here.
If you don’t have enough sun, don’t own your home, or live in a multi family building, you can still use solar for your energy needs by participating in community solar. The Wilmette Community Solar project will be open to Highland Park residents – sign up on their website to get more information. Looking forward to a sunny future with many more solar installations in Highland Park!
Be a Voter
There is an election on April 2, and the ballot in Highland Park includes candidates for Mayor, City Council, both School Boards, Park District, College of Lake County Trustee and Regional Board of Schools Trustee. Many of these races are expected to be very close, so your vote is especially important. If you have any questions about the election that aren’t answered below, please contact me.
Early voting continues at the Highland Park Police Station through Saturday, March 30 (Monday-Friday 9 am – 5 pm, Saturday 9 am – 2 pm). There is a list here of early voting sites in Lake County. Some early voting locations are open extended hours and additional days. During early voting, you may vote at any polling place in the county. On Election day, April 2, you must vote at your assigned polling place. Information on voting is here, including your election day polling location.
Election Information
There is an election coming up on April 2 (early voting begins March 18) in Highland Park. On the ballot will be candidates for Mayor, City Council, School Boards and Park District Board. More information on voting is here, including how to confirm your voter registration and election day polling location.
The League of Women Voters has published this Voter Guide with information about the candidates running. They will be holding a Candidate Forum on Sunday, March 17 beginning at 12:30 pm at the Highland Park Country Club. The Forum is free and open to the public, and is a great opportunity to learn the positions of each of the candidates.
Recycling Reminders
Highland Park has a strong recycling program – including pick up and drop off options for different items. As we begin 2019, please take a few minutes to review these recycling guidelines from the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County. Please do not put your recycling in plastic bags. Plastic bags should be taken to a local retailer for recycling (grocery and big box stores have bins for plastic bags.) Electronics can be placed next to recycling cart at the curb on your first trash pick up day each month. Holiday lights, textiles, styrofoam and paired shoes can all be dropped off at the Recycle Center. Learn more about these options here.
Construction
Over the past few months I have heard from many residents with concerns and complaints about problems with City construction projects in Highland Park. I am sorry that so many people have been inconvenienced, and have been working with City Staff to ensure that we improve both our construction process and our communications in the future.
We will have a discussion about construction issues at the December 10, 2019 Committee of the Whole meeting. The meeting is open to the public, so please come and listen to the discussion. You can also email me if you have concerns to share. The meeting agenda will be posted here by December 6.
Be a Voter!
It’s time to learn about the candidates on your ballot, check your registration, and make your plan to vote. The nonpartisan League of Women Voters has created this guide to help you learn more about the candidates and issues on your ballot. Sierra Club candidate endorsements are here. Given the anti environmental positions of the current federal administration, it is very important that we elect candidates at the state, county and local levels who will be champions on renewable energy and environmental protection.
More information about where and when to vote is here. Polling locations during early voting may be different than those on election day. Early voting begins on October 22. During the early voting period, you may vote at the Highland Park Police Station or any other early voting site in Lake County. Election Day is November 6 and polls will be open from 6 am – 7 pm. On election day, you must vote at your regular polling place.