HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 8.19.25 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL 

Finance

  • The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $214k.

Licensing

  • The owner of Disotto (310 Green Bay Rd.) currently has a Class A liquor license, which permits the sale of beer, wine, and spirits for consumption on premises. The owner recently applied to change the license from Class A to Class B. The Class B license permits the sale of beer, wine, and spirits for consumption on premises as well as the sale of packaged beer and wine for consumption off premises. The City Council voted to amend the city code to increase the number of available Class B licenses by one so that the Mayor can grant the requested license, and to decrease the number of available Class A licenses by one.

Parks & Public Spaces

  • City staff requested City Council feedback on prioritizing the $25k budgeted for holiday decorations this year. The Council directed staff to reuse the lit wreaths purchased last year by hanging them on the same sections of streetlights along Waukegan Ave./Sheridan Rd. and Highwood Ave., and to obtain cost estimates for branch-wrapping trees with lights at Everts Park.

  • City staff reported that the field lighting system at Memorial Park (the “ballpark” on Western Ave.) has reached the end of its useful life. Staff noted that a replacement system could reduce energy use and operating and maintenance costs, improve the streetscape (e.g., reducing the number of poles from 10 to 4), minimize light spill and glare, and allow for wireless control (which the current system lacks). In addition, staff reported that the replacement system is estimated to cost more than $200k and that the city does not currently qualify for related ComEd rebates. The City Council discussed the replacement system and continued further discussion to a future meeting.

  • Following a recommendation from the City Council’s since-dissolved Beautification Committee, the Council previously directed city staff to obtain cost estimates to replace existing street name signs and posts with decorative alternatives. Staff reported that the preliminary cost estimate is over $300k. The Council directed staff to seek alternative sources for labor and materials, obtain material samples, include wayfinding signs as part of the project, and return with findings and recommendations.

Public Comment

  • Multiple residents expressed disappointment and confusion about the City Council’s rationale for approving a zoning relief request for the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory.

  • A resident expressed concerns about stormwater management impacts related to the City Council’s approval of a zoning relief request for the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, including the use of permeable pavers in parking areas.

  • Multiple residents asked about lead service lines in the city’s water system (i.e., pipes that carry water from the city’s main supply into homes and businesses), including whether any restaurants have them and what the city’s plan is—specifically funding and timing—for replacement.

  • A resident asked about meeting attendance and residency requirements for City Council members and also about the procedures for filling a vacancy in office.

Waste & Recycling

  • The city is now providing a new optional curbside recycling service. The goal of the service is to divert hard-to-recycle plastics from landfills. Importantly, this new service supplements conventional recycling, it does not replace it. Click here to find a video that animates how the service works and here for additional informational (e.g., free starter kit, where to buy the bags, accepted items).

Other

  • The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from July 15, 2025 (Regular Meeting only) and August 5, 2025.

  • Celebrate Highwood’s Evening Gourmet Market will be held on Wednesdays through August 27th from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Everts Park (111 North Ave.); additional information here.

  • Celebrate Highwood’s Highwood Historical Cocktail Tour will be held on Wednesdays through August 27th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at various locations (departure point is the Celebrate Highwood booth at Everts Park/111 North Ave.); additional information here.

  • The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County and partners’ Reuse & Recycle Rally will be held on August 24th from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at North Shore Unitarian Church (2100 Half Day Rd., Deerfield, IL 60015). Various household items will be collected and reused, recycled, or donated; additional information here.

  • Celebrate Highwood’s Nashwood will be held from August 29th through August 31st at various locations and times around downtown Highwood; additional information here.

  • The Chamber of Commerce’s Design Week will be held from September 16th through September 19th at various locations and times around downtown Highwood; additional information here.

Meeting Records

  • A video recording of the Regular Meeting is here.

  • Once approved, minutes from the Committee of the Whole Meeting and Regular Meeting will be linked here.  

    These write-ups are purposefully brief. Please do not hesitate to call or email me if you would like additional details or have questions.

*unless otherwise noted, City Council directives and votes were unanimous.

Next

August 5, 2025