Appointments

The city is a member of the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA). NSSRA provides recreation programs and services for individuals with disabilities. Each NSSRA member agency appoints a representative to the NSSRA Board of Directors. The City Council voted to appoint resident and former Alderman Jim Hospodarsky to the NSSRA Board of Directors.

Elections

Following the Lake County Clerk’s certification of the April, 1, 2025 Consolidated Election results, Judge Sharmila Manak administered the oath of office to Mayor Charles Pecaro and Aldermen Robyn Bauer, Krista Hanson, and George Markoutsas, for four-year terms expiring in May 2029.

Finance

The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $84k.
State law requires the city to annually conduct and file an independent audit report. The City Council voted to authorize McConnell & Jones to complete the city’s fiscal year 2024 audit at a cost of $60k, with $30k funded by the city and the remaining $30k funded by the Library & Community Center.

Personnel

The City Manager serves as the chief administrative officer of the city. The city has employed Scott Coren as City Manager since 2014. Scott’s current employment agreement, which was signed in 2021, expires this month. The City Council voted to authorize the Mayor to sign a new employment agreement with Scott, expiring in May 2029 (i.e., the end of the Mayor’s current term). Apart from the term, the only other changes from the current agreement are as follows:
- removed an annual city-funded discretionary performance bonus of up to $15k
- added an annual city-funded contribution to a 457(b) deferred compensation retirement plan, up to the IRS-defined limit (e.g., $23.5k in 2025)

Proclamations

Mayor Pecaro read a proclamation expressing the city’s appreciation for outgoing Alderman Jim Hospodarsky’s service to the community, declared May 6, 2025 as “Alderman Jim Hospodarsky Day”, and presented Alderman Hospodarsky with a framed copy of the proclamation.
Mayor Pecaro read a proclamation expressing the city’s appreciation for outgoing Alderman Eric Falberg’s service to the community, declared May 7, 2025 as “Alderman Eric Falberg Day”, and presented Alderman Falberg with a framed copy of the proclamation.
Mayor Pecaro read a proclamation expressing the city’s appreciation for outgoing Alderman James Levi’s service to the community, declared May 8, 2025 as “Alderman James Levi Day”, and presented Alderman Levi with a framed copy of the proclamation.
Mayor Pecaro read a proclamation that affirmed the city’s dedication to recognizing the equal rights of all residents and preventing discrimination of individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity, declared June 2025 as “LGBTQ Pride Month” and presented members of Highwood Pride with a framed copy of the proclamation.

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).

Zoning

The owner of Vape312 has applied for zoning relief to allow 417 Sheridan Rd. to be used as a vape shop. The property’s current zoning does not allow for vape shop uses. In accordance with state law, the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the application on May 14th at 6:00 pm at City Hall (17 Highwood Ave.). The Commission will review the application, make findings of fact, and provide a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will make the final decision to approve or deny the request. Agenda packet here.
The owner of the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory has applied for zoning relief to allow 4 acres of property east of Sheridan Rd. to be used as a concert hall. The property’s current zoning does not allow for concert hall uses. In accordance with state law, the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the application on May 21st at 6:00 pm at Oak Terrace Elementary School (240 Prairie Ave.). The Commission will review the application, make findings of fact, and provide a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will make the final decision to approve or deny the request. Agenda packet here.

Other

The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from April 15, 2025.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Junk in the Trunk event will be held on May 11th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Metra station parking lot (317 Green Bay Rd.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting event for Electric Collective Hair Lab and Tattoo Art Collective will be held on May 17th from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Electric Collective Hair Lab (20 Highwood Ave.) and Tattoo Art Collective (43 Highwood Ave.); additional information here.
Highwood American Legion Post 501’s annual Memorial Day ceremony will be held on May 25th at 10:30 am outside of City Hall (17 Highwood Ave.).

Meeting Records

A video recording of the Regular Meeting is here.
Minutes from the Regular Meeting are 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.

May 20, 2025

April 15, 2025