Going Solar

Kim Stone

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

Kim Stone

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

Kim Stone

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

Kim Stone

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

Kim Stone
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!

Kim Stone

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.

Railroad Crossing Closure

Kim Stone

Due to construction on the Metra tracks at Lake Cook Road east of Green Bay, the track crossing by Braeside station will be closed to all traffic from October 10 -17. Bikes and pedestrians can go east/west through the tunnel north of the Braeside station between the McClory Trail and Cherokee. Detour signs will be posted, and more information is here.

Global Climate Action Summit

Kim Stone

I was honored to be part of a delegation representing the Chicago suburbs at the Global Climate Action Summit. Smaller cities are an important part of the conversation about climate change, as there are many things we can do to reduce our emissions and make a difference.

Many governments and businesses have committed to purchase 100% renewable electricity, or to move to zero carbon emissions. The Governors of 17 states, in a bipartisan coalition representing over half of the US GDP, launched the US Climate Alliance and committed to meeting the Paris climate goals. Over 9,000 cities and local governments from 127 countries have signed onto the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, committing to promote and support voluntary action to combat climate change and move to a low emission, resilient society.

There was discussion of divestment from fossil fuels – Ireland was the first country to announce that it would divest and New York was the first U.S. city to commit to divesting their pension funds. At the summit, NYC pledged to invest 2% of the City’s pension portfolio, which amounts to $4 billion, in climate solutions.

Electric vehicles and buses have made tremendous inroads, and battery range has dramatically increased in recent years. One electric bus company reported that their buses travel over 1,000 miles on a single charge. There are also efforts worldwide to save forests, which serve as carbon sinks, and to reduce food waste, which emits methane.

I came away from the summit hopeful, and ready to get to work to develop and implement Highland Park’s climate goals.

Speak Up for Clean Power

Kim Stone

October 31 is the deadline to submit a public comment to the US EPA opposing the proposed replacement for the Clean Power Plan, the nation’s first-ever carbon standard for power plants. The administration’s own analysis estimates that the new plan would cause 1,400 premature deaths annually and up to 15,000 new cases of upper respiratory problems, according to this article. There’s information about the plan here and here.  You can submit your comment here.

Local Elections and Caucus Volunteers

Kim Stone

There will be municipal elections in April, 2019 for seats on the City Council and both District 112 and 113 School Boards. If you are interested in running for one of these offices, you can learn more here. Candidates will be circulating petitions over the next few months.

The Caucuses for District 112 and 113 are currently seeking volunteers from our community to serve as delegates. Each Caucus is composed of people from throughout the community and meets 4 – 6 times in October and November to recruit qualified candidates, develop questions, interview and choose a slate of candidates to recommend. If you or your family member plans to run for School Board in 2019, you are not eligible to serve on the Caucus this time. Contact Jean if you are interested in the District 113 Caucus, and email here for the District 112 Caucus.