HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 7.21.26 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL
Elections
The next election for city offices will be held as part of the April 6, 2027, Consolidated Election. Three of the city’s six at-large Alderperson seats will be up for election, with each term being four years. Key dates are:
August 25, 2026: Nomination papers will be available at City Hall no later than this date, and candidates may begin circulating petitions.
November 16–23, 2026: Candidates must file nomination papers at City Hall.
Additional information can be found on the State Board of Elections’ website, including the 2027 Candidates Guide.
Finance
The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $118k.
The City Council voted to accept the City Treasurer’s financial report covering the period of May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026.
The City Council voted to accept the City Treasurer’s financial report covering the period of May 1, 2026, through May 31, 2026.
State law requires municipalities to use one of two systems to plan and authorize spending: the appropriation ordinance system or the budget officer system. The city uses the appropriation ordinance system, requiring it to adopt an annual appropriation ordinance within the first quarter of each fiscal year. The ordinance must itemize the specific purposes for spending and the amounts allocated to each; it also sets the maximum a municipality may spend during the fiscal year, provided sufficient funds are available. The City Council voted to adopt an appropriation ordinance that authorizes maximum spending for each governmental fund at 120% of the budgeted amount for fiscal year 2027.
State law requires municipalities to annually establish the salary or other compensation of municipal officers by ordinance. The City Council voted to adopt an ordinance establishing authorized positions and compensation levels for fiscal year 2027; changes from fiscal year 2026 are listed below:
full-time positions may receive salary increases of up to 3.5%, excluding positions with compensation established by contract (e.g., the City Manager and Police Patrol Officers and Sergeants); actual increases within the salary ranges are determined by the City Manager based on performance evaluations, market conditions, and other factors.
part-time positions may receive increases of up to $2 per hour; actual increases within the hourly ranges are determined by the City Manager based on performance evaluations, market conditions, and other factors.
eliminating one Community Service Officer position and creating one Senior Project Manager position.
adding one Police Patrol Officer position; filling this position will be determined by the City Council based on operational needs, affordability, and the availability of qualified personnel.
Infrastructure
In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule requiring community water suppliers across the country to identify and replace lead and certain galvanized service lines by November 2037 (service lines are the underground pipes that carry water from the city's main water supply to homes and businesses). The city subsequently identified 296 service lines that must be replaced. Of those 296 service lines, four are located on High St., north of Prairie Ave., which the city plans to resurface later this year. The City Council voted to accept a quote from North Shore Boring in the amount of $47k to replace the four service lines with copper lines.
Public Comment
A resident asked about enforcement of the city’s curfew ordinance, particularly as it relates to juveniles involved in recent firearm-related incidents. The resident also asked about efforts to address gang-related activity, the city’s rental property inspection program, and whether additional measures could be taken to prevent juvenile involvement in criminal activity
A resident expressed concerns about recent shooting incidents in and around Highwood and their impact on community safety, residents, and local businesses. The resident commended the Highwood Police Department’s response efforts and asked about additional proactive measures to address violence prevention, including potential collaboration among local organizations, schools, businesses, and residents.
A resident expressed concerns about the future character of Highwood and asked the City Council to consider reviewing and amending the downtown zoning ordinance before approving additional large-scale developments. The resident emphasized the importance of balancing redevelopment with preserving the city’s small-town character and encouraged thoughtful growth that reflects the community’s identity.
A resident expressed concerns about public communication during emergency situations and asked about opportunities to improve the timeliness and delivery of city emergency notifications. The resident offered to assist with community outreach efforts and encouraged greater resident involvement in sharing information during emergencies.
A resident expressed concerns about recent shooting incidents and their potential impact on community safety, future development, and attracting new residents. The resident asked about proactive measures to address violence prevention and also asked for additional information regarding the city’s acquisition and planned sale/redevelopment of the properties at 244 Waukegan Ave. and 0 Waukegan Ave.
An individual (who lives in the Highland Park section of Fort Sheridan) expressed concerns about recent public safety incidents in and around Highwood and asked about proactive efforts to address community safety. The individual also asked about future enforcement of state regulations affecting the sale of certain cannabis-derived products, maintenance and improvements along the Sheridan Rd. corridor, and the potential impacts of future development on the corridor.
A resident expressed concerns about gang-related activity in the community and the need for a proactive approach to addressing public safety issues. The resident asked whether staffing levels were sufficient, whether the city was trending in the right direction regarding crime, and encouraged the city to explore additional strategies to prevent further escalation.
A resident expressed concerns that recent public safety incidents are not isolated events and asked about potential strategies to address ongoing safety concerns, including rental housing regulations and landlord accountability. The resident also asked about implementing a crime-free housing ordinance and creating an anonymous reporting tool for residents to share concerns.
A resident expressed concerns regarding landlord responsibility and accountability related to rental properties where criminal activity may occur. The resident offered to assist the city in developing programs or policies to improve coordination between landlords and the city regarding public safety concerns.
A resident expressed concerns regarding public safety, emergency response capacity, and the potential impacts of future development on city services. The resident also raised concerns about the potential impacts of additional rental housing on civic engagement and demand for police and emergency services, as well as communication regarding public safety incidents.
A resident expressed concerns about recent shootings and their impact on residents’ sense of safety. The resident encouraged the city to take a more proactive approach to public safety, including addressing lower-level offenses and juvenile-related issues before they escalate.
Public Safety
The Mayor, City Manager, and Police Chief shared information about the city’s investigation of and response to recent public safety incidents in and around the community, including arrests, obtaining felony warrants, rental property safety inspections, outreach to landlords and business owners, and discussions with representatives from the Highland Park Police Department and Township High School District 113.
State law allows municipalities to sell or dispose of property that is no longer necessary or useful to the municipality. The City Council voted to adopt an ordinance authorizing the sale of surplus police equipment, specifically six rifle barrels, for an expected $300 each, or appropriate disposal if the equipment cannot be sold.
Real Estate
In 2024, the city purchased 244 Waukegan Ave. and 0 Waukegan Ave. to economically and aesthetically revitalize the area through redevelopment and secure guaranteed access from Waukegan Ave. to City Hall and the Police Department, since the preexisting access from Highwood Ave. has been privately owned since those facilities were constructed. A restaurant operator, One Off Hospitality (OOH), owns the adjacent property at 250 Waukegan Ave. and intends to open a restaurant there under its Avec brand, which has other locations in Chicago. OOH expressed interest in acquiring the city-owned properties to expand the restaurant’s dining space, add dry and cooler storage, create a private parking lot for the business, and develop a separate restaurant concept similar in type and quality to its existing Publican Quality Bread concept. Earlier this year, the City Council voted to approve agreements with OOH related to the sale and redevelopment of the properties. The Council voted to approve a plat of easement, a legal map that identifies the location and boundaries of the access easement connecting Waukegan Ave. to City Hall and the Police Department.
Waste & Recyclables
The city’s residential waste collection services agreement with Lakeshore Recycling Systems includes one curbside bulk item pickup per week for residents on their regular collection day, subject to a 60-pound weight limit per item. Bulk items include household items too large for a garbage container but able to be lifted by one person into a garbage truck (e.g., furniture, doors and windows, metal and lumber products etc.).
Other
The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from June 16, 2026.
The Library & Community Center’s July newsletter is here; this newsletter includes an announcement that the digital reading app Libby is now available to residents.
Celebrate Highwood’s Evening Gourmet Market will be held on Wednesdays through August 26th from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Everts Park (111 North Ave.); additional information here.
Celebrate Highwood’s Inferno Fest will be held on July 22nd from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Everts Park (111 North Ave.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Bingo at Buffo’s will be held on July 26th from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Buffo’s (431 Sheridan Rd.); additional information here.
Celebrate Highwood’s Margarita Night will be held on July 29th from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Everts Park (111 North Ave.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Spill Sessions (Meat, Mead, Medicine: Food and Feasting in the Middle Ages) will be held on July 30th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Disotto (310 Green Bay Rd.); additional information here.
Celebrate Highwood’s Garlic Fest will be held on August 12th from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Everts Park (111 North Ave.); additional information here.
Celebrate Highwood’s Bloody Mary Fest will be held on August 16th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Everts Park (111 North Ave.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Breakfast before Business with Brooke Foley will be held on August 26th from 7:30 am to 9:00 am at City Hall (17 Highwood Ave.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Spill Sessions (How did Highwood become Highwood?) will be held on August 27th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Mojo’s Vinyl Bar (448 Sheridan Rd.); 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.