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Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives

The City of Highland Park is committed to fostering an inclusive, affirming community for residents and employees. This section provides an overview of the City’s work that has been undertaken and what is planned to advance a community culture of inclusion and diversity.

The City aims to continue identifying opportunities to better serve the residents of Highland Park with responsive and anticipatory customer service through extensive community engagement and open channels of communication. Community feedback is welcome and may be directed to the City Manager’s Office at 847.926.1000 or cityhp@cityhpil.com.

Mission
The City of Highland Park municipal government's mission is to provide high-quality services to our community through collaborative, effective, and transparent governance in an efficient and fiscally responsible manner.

Core Priorities
The City’s work is guided by four major priorities: fiscal stability, public safety, infrastructure investment, and community vibrancy. The City Council established the City’s priorities based on public feedback and staff input. These priorities and their associated objectives guide the City’s major projects and initiatives with assigned tangible goals for advancing the City’s priorities.

The City’s 2020 work plan contains several strategies to foster an inclusive and welcoming community under the aegis of Community Vibrancy. The City will continue working to connect and engage in an ongoing dialogue to learn how resources can better support Highland Park’s needs and advance its values, through community engagement, consistent communication, investment in business development, and support for human services and cultural arts.

Anti-Hate Statement
The City of Highland Park unequivocally condemns any racist, misogynistic, anti-Semitic, anti-LGBT, ableist, or otherwise hate motived groups or individuals who are threatening any form of violent acts, bigoted harassment on, or discrimination against our residents, visitors, or city staff. This behavior is never acceptable, but it is particularly outrageous that any groups would further an agenda of hate and fear.

Highland Park will take every possible action to ensure that residents, workers, and visitors will not face discrimination or harassment. Violent threats have no place in our country, state, or city, and will not be tolerated. Reports of such hate crimes are of great concern. Be assured that the City’s Police Department will continue to work closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies to ensure the continued safety of our community.

It is vitally important that our community holds to our values and stands together in denouncing all acts of bigotry and violence. Hate has no home in Highland Park or anywhere.

The links above connect to definitions/resources as provided or endorsed by the Anti-Defamation League, which has provided training to the City in the past.