If you are not yet registered to vote, you can register to vote in person at Highland Park City Hall, 1707 St. John’s Avenue (call (847) 432-0800 for hours) or the Moraine Township Office, 800 Central Avenue (call (847) 432-3240 for hours). Voter registration at these locations closes February 18, but you can still register to vote at any early voting site during early voting or on election day at your polling place. Details on voter registration are here. You may check your registration or register online using the application available here.
More information about voting and voter registration is here. Please be sure to vote!
Winter Energy Tips
The cleanest energy is the energy you never have to use. Improving efficiency is also a great way to lower you energy costs. As we get into the colder months, a little bit of insulation or weather stripping can go a long way. Consider a smart thermostat – some models are eligible for rebates from ComEd. Larger energy efficiency projects may be eligible for a rebate from North Shore Gas. If you go on vacation, remember to turn down the temperature on your water heater. In the summer the electricity bills tend to go up, while in the winter, it’s the gas bill.
Check out these energy saving tips from NorthShore Gas.
ComEd has partnered with the gas company to provide FREE home energy assessments. They will bring and install a number of energy saving products and can recommend further savings opportunities.You can call 1-855-433-2700.
Climate Strike
It was inspiring to see so many young people standing up to take action on climate last week. Thank you to the Highland Park and Deerfield students who organized an event at the Ravinia Train Station. As someone who began working professionally to stop climate change in 1989, I am very excited to see younger people joining the fight and taking action. The City of Highland Park has set a goal of a 5% reduction in carbon emissions by the City by 2023. You can read about some of the steps the City has taken to reach that goal here.
Bike Fair and Family Friendly Bike Route Opening
Join Highland Park’s Bike Walk Advisory Group and Trek HP for a bike fair at the Trek parking lot, 1925 Skokie Valley Road on September 22 at 1 pm. The fair includes bike safety and helmet checks, a bike safety course, Aidan’s Crazy Bike Creations and more. Bring your bike and join us at 2 pm for the inaugural ride of Highland Park’s new Family Friendly Bikeway in the Highlands neighborhood. This new route is a short, on-street loop that is easy for families to ride. Working Bikes will be there to collect old bikes in any condition to refurbish for those in need of transportation.
Marijuana Discussion
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.