HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 9.16.25 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL
Finance
The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $353k.
The City Council voted to accept the City Treasurer’s financial report covering the period of May 1, 2025 through July 31, 2025.
Infrastructure
The city pumps, treats, and supplies surface water from Lake Michigan by way of its water treatment facility. Last year, the city contracted with Jacobs Engineering to assess the condition of the facility and provide related findings and recommendations. The recommendations included upgrading the control system, replacing the chemical delivery system, improving ventilation, and repairing the structure of the building. The city requested a proposal from Christopher B. Burke Engineering to provide engineering design services for these improvements. The City Council voted to accept the proposal at a cost of $96k. To complete these and other improvements to its water system, the city has applied for loan funding through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Public Water Supply Loan Program, which is part of the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. If the city receives the requested funding as expected, the cost of these engineering design services may be reimbursable.
The city is mandated by federal law to fully replace all lead service lines and certain galvanized service lines by 2037 (service lines are the underground pipes that bring water from the city’s main supply directly into homes and businesses). The city has approximately 60 lead service lines and 200 galvanized service lines that require replacement. The city has prioritized replacing the lead service lines first and requested a proposal from Christopher B. Burke Engineering to provide engineering design services for this phase of the project. The City Council voted to accept the proposal at a cost of $40k. To complete these and other improvements to its water system, the city has applied for loan funding through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Public Water Supply Loan Program, which is part of the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. If the city receives the requested funding as expected, the cost of these engineering design services may be reimbursable.
The city plans to resurface the Prairie Ave. roadway in 2027. Approximately 80% of the project cost will be covered by federal funding through the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, with the city covering the balance. This street has approximately 20 service lines that are required to replaced, and the city plans to complete these replacements before the roadway resurfacing. Because replacing so many lines would cause significant stress on the aging water main, the city also plans to replace the water main at the same time. The city requested a proposal from Christopher B. Burke Engineering to provide engineering design services for these improvements. The City Council voted to accept the proposal at a cost of $117k. To complete these and other improvements to its water system, the city has applied for loan funding through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Public Water Supply Loan Program, which is part of the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. If the city receives the requested funding as expected, the cost of these engineering design services may be reimbursable.
Licensing
In accordance with state law, the Mayor serves as the city’s local liquor control commissioner, with powers including granting, suspending, and revoking liquor licenses. Earlier this year, the Mayor convened a hearing for alleged violations of the city’s liquor code at Teddy O’Brian’s (e.g., serving alcohol to minors, failing to report criminal and liquor code violations, failing to assist police investigations). Subsequently, the Mayor ordered that Teddy O’Brian’s liquor license be revoked. The liquor license holder then appealed the revocation order to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC), which allowed the business to continue operating pending its decision. At its meeting earlier today, the ILCC considered the appeal and voted to modify the Mayor’s order from a license revocation to a 30-day license suspension (timeframe of the suspension to be determined).
Planning
City staff asked the Mayor and City Council to begin submitting ideas for consideration at an upcoming strategic planning meeting (meeting date to be determined).
Public Comment
A resident expressed disappointment and asked for greater clarity regarding the City Council’s rationale for approving a zoning relief request for the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory.
A resident reported that the pedestrian push button for the traffic signal at the northwest corner of Sheridan Rd. and Washington Ave. is not working as expected, and also suggested that the city consider replacing the conventional mechanical push buttons with accessible pedestrian signal push buttons.
Real Estate
The owner of 400 Sheridan Rd. (i.e., the Nite N' Gale property) plans to begin redevelopment this fall. The development is considered “by right” as the owner is not requesting any zoning relief. The project will involve tearing down the existing building and constructing a new six-story, mixed-use building. The ground floor of the building will be designated for commercial use (e.g., restaurant), while the upper floors will be designated for residential use, specifically 104 rental apartment units. Construction is expected to be complete by early 2027. The owner requested a non-exclusive, perpetual easement over adjacent city-owned property to allow vehicular and pedestrian access to the development site through the Metra station parking lot. The City Council voted (4-1) to approve an agreement granting the requested easement; U.S. Bank separately approved a similar agreement granting access through its adjacent property.
Waste & Recycling
In 2017, the city became one of the first municipalities in the state to offer curbside organics recycling (i.e., composting). The goal of this service is to divert food waste from landfills, where it accounts for about 20% of the state’s waste—the largest single waste stream in the state. Residents can place food scraps and food-soiled paper or cardboard directly in their organics carts (i.e., the smallest of the three issued carts) or use BPI compostable liners or paper bags (additional guidelines here). The organics carts are collected curbside weekly, alongside trash and recycling carts. The city is offering free in-home compost bins at City Hall (17 Highwood Ave.) on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Other
The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from August 19, 2025.
The Library & Community Center’s September newsletter is here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s September newsletter is here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Design Week is being held this week through September 19th at various locations and times around downtown Highwood; additional information here.
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County’s Household Chemical Waste Collection will be held on September 20th from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm at Lake Forest’s Municipal Services parking lot (800 N. Field Dr., Lake Forest, IL 60045), by appointment only. Various household items will be collected (e.g., batteries, gasoline, light bulbs, paints, solvent cleaners etc.); additional information here.
Celebrate Highwood’s Pumpkin Festival will be held from October 2nd through October 5th at multiple locations in downtown Highwood at varying times each day; 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.