HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 2.17.26 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL
Finance
The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $203k.
The City Council voted to accept the City Treasurer’s financial report covering the period of May 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
Federal law limits the total amount of certain tax-exempt bonds that can be issued each year in each state. States then either follow the federal rules for dividing that amount among local governments or set their own rules. In 2026, Illinois allocated each home rule municipality an amount equal to $135 per resident. Based on its population of 5,358, the city’s 2026 allocation totaled $723,330. Because the city does not plan to use this allocation, city staff recommended reallocating the full amount to a regional Private Activity Bond Clearinghouse Pool offered by the Lake County Partnership for Economic Development, allowing other municipalities to finance economic development projects (e.g., manufacturing and multifamily housing). The City Council voted to approve a resolution that authorizes the recommended action.
City staff presented an overview of the city’s five-year capital projects plan and the city’s debt schedule. The tentatively planned capital projects include:
2026
Replacement of residential street name signs and posts (excluding the Fort Sheridan subdivision)
Replacement of field lighting system at Memorial Park (i.e., the “ballpark” on Western Ave.)
2027
Resurfacing of Waukegan Ave./Sheridan Rd. roadway
Replacement of water main on Prairie Ave.
Replacement of 60 lead service lines (i.e., the underground pipes that bring water from the city’s main directly into homes and businesses)
2028
Resurfacing of Prairie Ave. roadway
2029
Resurfacing of Green Bay Rd. roadway
Reconstruction of Palmer Ave. roadway (including below-ground water, storm, and sanitary infrastructure)
2030
Resurfacing of several streets in the Fort Sheridan subdivision
Parks & Public Spaces
In 2023, the Mayor appointed a Beautification Committee to help identify, plan, and prioritize beautification projects and to recommend how City Council–earmarked funds for community beautification should be used. The Committee’s recommendations included:
development of a new park at 341 Waukegan Ave. (completed in 2024)
installation of 13 public art pieces, including murals and a sculpture (substantially completed in 2024; remaining piece planned to be completed this year)
expansion of Everts Park at 340 Green Bay Rd. (substantially completed in 2025; remaining piece planned to be completed this year)
replacement of existing residential street name signs and posts with decorative alternatives, excluding the Fort Sheridan subdivision (not started)
City staff presented quotes from multiple vendors for the residential street signs and post replacements, ranging from $182k to $315k. The City Council discussed the quotes, directed staff to obtain additional information—including estimated recurring annual costs for repairs and replacements, as well as labor and materials warranties—and continued the discussion to a future meeting.
Public Safety
The city operates a Police Department with 13 full-time employees, supplemented on an as-needed basis by part-time patrol officers. The majority of the Department’s full-time employees are represented by the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council (FOP). The current labor agreement between the city and the FOP, which governs wages, hours, fringe benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment, expires on June 30th. City staff provided an overview of the collective bargaining process and advised that the FOP is expected to initiate negotiations in the near term.
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., where to buy the bags, accepted items). The city is currently offering free starter kits at City Hall (17 Highwood Ave.) on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Zoning
State law requires municipalities to annually publish a map showing their zoning districts, provided there has been a change in the past year to those districts. The zoning map must be published no later than March 31st of each year. City staff reported the following district changes approved by the City Council since the city’s last zoning map update and recommended updating the zoning map accordingly.
521 Lockard Ln. (16-15-206-021) from R-3A to R-2
523 Lockard Ln. (16-15-206-020) from R-3A to R-2
525 Lockard Ln. (16-15-206-019) from R-3A to R-2
134 North Ave. (16-15-213-027) from R-1 to GX
0 Sheridan Rd. (16-10-401-014) from R-1 to PUD
118 S. Central Ave. (16-15-419-020 & 16-15-419-021) from R-2 to PUD
537 Western Ave. (16-15-206-010) from R-3A to R-2
The City Council voted to adopt an ordinance that authorizes the recommended action.
Other
The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from January 20, 2026.
Early voting for the March 17th General Primary Election begins March 2nd at the Highwood Library & Community Center; additional information here.
The Library & Community Center’s February newsletter is here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s February newsletter is here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Spill Sessions (Stories We Carry in Books and in our Pockets) will be held on February 18th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Beermiscuous (552 Sheridan Rd.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Bingo at Buffo’s will be held on February 22nd from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Buffo’s (431 Sheridan Rd.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Connections will be held on March 11th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Le Colonial (655 Forest Ave.); 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.