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Chicago Tribune
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
As dark chapter closes, Highland Park mayor looks to future; ‘It will forever be a part of our lives'
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering spoke on what the future holds for the city after the sentencing of July 4 parade shooter Robert Crimo III, including the plans for a permanent place of remembrance and transitioning in the years ahead from memorials to reflection and service. The city has made a point of drawing a line between the trial of Crimo, who opened fire on the crowd at the 2022 parade killing seven and injuring dozens of others, and any discussion about plans for a place of remembrance, declining questions and requesting thoughtfulness from media outlets. But Thursday afternoon, after the judge handed Crimo a multi-lifetime sentence, a grim chapter of Highland Park's history was closed, and Rotering talked about what tomorrow might look like. This year's July 4 celebration will have a parade, Rotering said during statements shortly after the sentencing, albeit with an altered route. Additional plans were released in February, as well as a notice that there will be no drone or fireworks shows organized by the city. A remembrance is planned for Independence Day morning, and the temporary memorial at the city's Rose Garden will continue to be open to the public. After 'two days of heartbreak,' Rotering expressed pride in the community for supporting one another following the shooting, and thanked the State's Attorney's Office and emergency responders for their work following the 'unbelievably devastating event.' Efforts related to a permanent place of remembrance have been ongoing, with the city organizing a working group several months ago, she said. The city recently engaged a consultant to gather public input about the location, and it has been determined that the primary location will be next to City Hall, where the 2022 parade began and purposefully away from the center of town. Rotering said the Department of Justice Victims of Crime Division advised not putting any memorials 'in people's faces' they would see every day. The selected location will provide, 'peace and quiet to reflect and remember,' she said. Another secondary, subtle recognition of the tragedy is planned for Port Clinton as well, she said. Officials have been gathering feedback from the community about what that will look like, and whether it will include a water feature, an eternal flame or trees planted in recognition of those killed. She emphasized they were 'places of remembrance' for those killed, and the many injured and traumatized by the event. 'It is, in the end, going to be a place for people to reflect and to find solace, hopefully, but also to remember,' Rotering said. It's been almost three years since the shooting, but the victim impact statements made during the sentencing hearing made it clear the emotional wounds caused by the shooting were still fresh for many, even if the physical injuries have healed. Rotering was asked if the July 4 celebration would ever be able to move past the tragedy. 'For those who lived through it, it will forever be a part of our lives,' she said. 'But, I also spoke to one of the next of kin who said, At what point do we move on from a memorial to another way of reflecting and remembering?'' Rotering said city officials have spoken with those in other communities that have faced similar tragedies in search of some insight. They talked about the transition, over time, from memorial ceremonies to days of service and community building, she said. Rotering advocated for expanding the Illinois assault weapons ban — initially passed in 2023, struck down by a federal judge last year, but that remains in effect as the court battle over it continues — arguing it would help 'proactively' protect other communities from the fate suffered by residents of the Highland Park area. One of the victims of the shooting, Ashbey Beasley, has made similar public pushes for gun control, as well as recategorizing mass shootings like the one in Highland Park as domestic terrorism, calling on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to act. Rotering shared her sentiment, pointing to a quote from a family member of Nicolas Toledo, one of the seven killed the day of the parade. 'He had lived the American dream and died the American nightmare,' Rotering said. 'This is terrorism.' The mayor also pushed back against online criticism that she has taken advantage of the tragedy for political reasons. 'If (they're saying) my motive is to get weapons of war off the streets of this country, and stop other communities from experiencing this kind of devastating pain, I'll own it,' Rotering said. 'Anything else is ridiculous.' The mayor reflected on the changes that have come since the shooting. Locally, firefighters have been given 'stop the bleed' training, which has also been offered to the community to help build 'resiliency.' Rotering recalled how many people, medical professionals and otherwise, had rushed to try and save people's lives immediately following the shooting. There was also the use of drones by law enforcement to survey large gatherings and events to get a view of rooftops and large areas, which she said was previously restricted to only private use.
CBS News
13-02-2025
- CBS News
Highland Park announces plans for second July 4th parade since 2022 mass shooting
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The city of Highland Park will host a 4th of July parade this year, the second Independence Day celebration since a gunman killed seven people at the annual parade in 2022. Before the parade kicks off at 11 a.m. on July 4, Highland Park will host a remembrance ceremony at 9 a.m. for the people who were killed three years ago. The city also is planning a community festival on July 3 at The Preserve of Highland Park, featuring an evening of dinner, music, games, and other attractions. Highland Park canceled its July 4th parade in 2023, holding only a memorial procession for the victims of the shooting. Mayor Nancy Rotering said the goal of this year's festivities is "to continue to bring back the celebration of the holiday to our community." "So many of our kids were involved with the parade when the mass shooting occurred, and in the immediate aftermath they asked if they would ever be able to celebrate the 4th of July again, which just broke my heart," she said. "When we talked to people who have grown up in Highland Park, for the vast majority their favorite memory is being part of that parade; either bringing their bicycle, or their dog. So, to me, it's important as we continue on our journey together to try to heal, move forward, that we continue to bring these special times for our community to come together." Rotering said the city doesn't want the 2022 mass shooting to define Highland Park. "Who we are are neighbors who care about one another; people who will hug each other on the street corner if they can sense something's just not quite all together. And so we will continue to lean into that compassion and that strength," she said. Rotering said she hopes young people in Highland Park, in particular, are moving past the shooting. A memorial in the Rose Garden across from Highland Park City Hall remains open to the public. Parade participation sign-up begins on March 3. Information will be posted at when available.
Chicago Tribune
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Highland Park lifts liquor-license/council restriction at heated meeting; ‘Members … protected their own seats over the will of the community'
Highland Park's ongoing dispute over a 90-year-old ordinance prohibiting City Council members from holding liquor licenses came to an end Monday evening, but bitter comments from council members and residents related to the controversy left a rift in the community. Last year, Councilman Jeff Hoobler resigned from his seat after a Prohibition-era city ordinance was rediscovered barring local officials from holding liquor licenses. Hoobler, owner of Steep Ravine Brewing Company, formerly Ravinia Brewing, chose to step down rather than give up the license. It was the spark for a lengthy and heated controversy that spilled into public events and consumed hours of council meetings. In November, a referendum calling for an amendment to the liquor license ordinance passed with overwhelming public support, but a council vote on the issue was put off until this year despite calls from some residents and council members Annette Lidawer and Andres Tapia to resolve the issue sooner. While Monday evening's amendment passed unanimously, Lidawer, Tapia and several residents questioned the timing of the change. The deadlines for the April municipal election have passed, and all but one City Council incumbent will be running unopposed. Mayor Nancy Rotering pushed back against accusations questioning the timing of the liquor-license vote, arguing the council had acted quickly within reason. After the referendum passed in November, Rotering said she had 'noted we would discuss this issue in 2025.' 'This is the third meeting in 2025, and the first opportunity for a thorough discussion where all voices can be heard,' she said. 'Deliberation and due diligence are not political tactics. They're the foundation of responsible governance.' Rotering and several other board members argued there had been several key questions that remained unanswered about the original goal of the ordinance, and the potential consequences of its amendment. Rather than rush ahead, the mayor said their responsibility was, 'to uphold the integrity of our government while ensuring that policies remain fair, practical and reflective of our values. 'Governance should not be about personal gain or political maneuvering,' she said. 'It should be about fairness, transparency and credibility to the residents we serve.' Several council members, including Rotering, said they had been uncomfortable with changing the ordinance before Hoobler resigned due to the potential for the 'appearance of impropriety,' she said. Anthony Blumberg said he had previously been against amending the ordinance because, 'we were essentially being asked to change the law to accommodate an individual who found himself in violation of the law.' However, Blumberg said he had 'always indicated' a willingness to change his position, 'under the normal circumstances in which we normally legislate.' Rotering discussed several of the questions she has about the amendment, regarding recusal and issues of conflict of interest. According to the city's legal counsel, having a liquor license is largely in line with council members that are in other professions, such as real estate, and will be covered by Highland Parks' existing recusal rules and recently strengthened ethics ordinances. Tapia and Lidawer, the only two candidates in support of putting an amendment on the city agenda last year, were both highly critical of the vote's timing, going so far as to question the motivations of their fellow council members. Tapia argued the controversy had 'damaged' the city's name and credibility, and the issue should have been dealt with sooner without 'dragging' the community through the controversy. He said he was 'glad' to put it behind them. 'It's taken more than a year, and that is unacceptable,' Tapia said. 'We have made very big decisions about very big things in the city with less time taken. I really question the timing, especially when it was an urgent matter.' Lidawer said the issue had been thoroughly studied and researched months ago, but the council failed to bring a vote forward. She felt the process was needlessly extended for political reasons. The date for residents to register as a write-in candidate passed in late January. On Monday, the amendment appeared 'on the council agenda with clarifications as to ethics regulations discussed and accepted in September 2024.' 'Where were all the other questions and the need for additional study that we were advised of in November that over a nine-month period we couldn't have answered?' Lidawer said. 'I don't believe in coincidences. The fact is that several members of this body protected their own seats over the will of the community.' She thanked community members for their efforts to push the amendment. The city had received hundreds of emails voicing support, she said. 'In spite of the delays, this change has been affected because of you, and democracy, while it might be slow, will eventually be served,' Lidawer said. Blumberg said he had been well aware of the public support for the amendment. 'But, as I've stated consistently, the fact an opinion is held by a majority of residents is something that I may consider, I do not consider it to be controlling,' he said. 'We've been asked to vote according to the will of the people, and I'm uncomfortable with that. I'm here to represent the community, not an individual … and not any specific group.' The most bitter comments were made by former council member Hoobler who, because of the timing of the amendment, was not permitted to be added to the ballot to run for the remaining two years of his vacated term. City Council veteran Kim Stone has chosen to run for his former seat, which is currently held by Barisa Bruckman, who is running unopposed for a full four-year seat. Stone faces political newcomers Jon Center and Kevin Cullather. 'This wasn't just a coincidence,' Hoobler said. 'It was a calculated move to manipulate the democratic process.' Hoobler also questioned the withdrawal of The Art Center Highland Park Executive Director James Lynch from the election campaign in December. Lynch was the only non-incumbent running for a full-term seat. 'People are systematically preventing qualified candidates from running, while long-term incumbents remain in power for years, many times not even opposed,' Hoobler said. Lynch, for his part, said he was approached by The Art Center board members who were concerned the council position would make him less effective as a director and be a conflict of interest. He withdrew because he agreed with their assessment, Lynch said. The Art Center shouldn't be involved with politics, he said, and with the challenges facing many nonprofits today, he was 'happy' with his decision to focus on the center. 'I've got my hands full,' Lynch said. During public comments, several residents called for unity after the division wrought by the liquor-license controversy. 'People have said things online that they can never take back to their neighbors,' Ashbey Beasley said. 'This has caused such a divide and such a rift in our community, which is very sad. I would really like to ask you to make an effort to bring our community together again.'
