June 1, 2021 -- This news item pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic was originally posted in March 2020. For the latest information, visit cityhpil.com/covid-19. Note that many City services are available online and by mail. City Hall walk-in hours are 8 AM - 5 PM Tuesday - Friday. Appointments on Mondays may be available upon request. Information about City meetings is available at cityhpil.com/agendacenter.
Update - March 18, 2020 – Effective March 19, 2020, the City of Highland Park will suspend walk-in services currently provided at the Highland Park Police Department. Essential services will be offered by appointment only. The City encourages residents to use online or mail services for necessary requests. The action follows guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health emphasizing social distancing as the most effective method of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Click here to read more. To learn more about making online payments, click here.
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March 13, 2020 - In response to guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health regarding the most effective strategies to prevent the spread of illness, particularly among the most vulnerable, the City of Highland Park (the City) has taken the proactive step of closing all municipal buildings to the public effective March 16. Essential public administrative services will continue to be offered in a limited capacity from the Highland Park Police Department. There will be no reduction in services for public safety and the City encourages residents to conduct business online or by phone where possible. As this is a developing situation, the City will continue to share updates to its website at cityhpil.com and on social media. Residents are encouraged to sign-up for City e-notifications via the City website as well.
Mayor Nancy Rotering has called an emergency meeting for Saturday, March 14, 12:00 PM at City Hall, where the City Council will consider an ordinance regarding emergency management and disaster authority in response to the developing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. This action will enable the City to immediately respond to an emergency as allowed by Illinois law. The meeting will be live-streamed on the City’s web site at cityhpil.com.
There will be no reduction or changes to critical emergency services, water distribution or refuse collection. In addition to its own pandemic response planning, the City has also established contingency plans in close collaboration with neighboring communities and sister governments. Residents should continue to call 911 in an emergency. All questions regarding health and wellness related to COVID-19 should be directed to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s hotline at 800.889.3931 or dph.sick@illinois.gov.
Questions for the City of Highland Park should be directed to 847.432.0800, where individuals will be directed to leave a message for the appropriate department. City staff will be monitoring voicemail and responding as quickly as possible. After-hours, individuals may contact the Police Department non-emergency number at 847-432-7730. Residents may also send questions to cityhp@cityhpil.com. The Police Department’s non-emergency line should only be used for non-emergency questions or concerns for public safety personnel.
“These decisions are made with extreme care and consideration for the safety of our residents and employees. We recognize that every decision we make has an impact on residents’ abilities to access administrative services at convenient locations,” said Mayor Nancy Rotering. “After discussions with the City Manager and City Council, we feel that these actions are in the best interests of public health and well-being.”
“These measures allow the City to focus resources on its most critical services, while allowing other services to function as needed,” said City Manager Ghida Neukirch. “We appreciate our community’s understanding and cooperation as we take these steps to ensure the safety of the public and staff.”
During this time, limited public services will be available at the Highland Park Police Department. Those services include vital records, landscaping licensing permits, business inquiries, counseling services provided by the Senior Center, and more. Inspections will be performed on a limited basis, and households or businesses will be asked screening questions before the inspection is performed. The City encourages residents and businesses to use online services via its website, cityhpil.com, where possible. Further information is available on the City’s website at cityhpil.com.
The City has canceled all public meetings, including board and commission meetings, and staff meetings will be conducted via conference call where possible. Administrative hearings are postponed until May, and any individuals with hearings scheduled in March and April will be notified by the Office of the City Clerk.
Additional information about the availability of services throughout Highland Park will be posted at cityhpil.com/coronavirus-closures, and to the City’s social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter), and will be updated as information becomes available. Residents are encouraged to please check government websites regarding previously scheduled programs.