Highland Park City Council holds emotional first meeting since parade shooting
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. - The Highland Park City Council on Monday met in-person at City Hall for the first time since the Fourth of July parade tragedy.
The meeting began with a moment of silence to remember and honor the victims, followed by remarks from Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering.
"I am so appreciative of our entire city team and all who have joined together to support our community," said Rotering. "They have lifted us up with special care and attention and we are united in the face of trauma."
To offer continued support, the City of Highland Park has established a free and confidential ‘Resource Navigation Center’ at Lincoln School. There, specialists are offering mental health services and other aid as community members continue to process and heal.
"There is no clear roadmap to tell us what to do next, but we will thoughtfully and respectfully make our decisions in a way that illustrates who we are, what matters to us as a community, and what we hope for in the aftermath," said Rotering.
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On Monday, Rotering renewed her call for a nationwide assault weapons ban.
"As your mayor, as your neighbor, as a parent, as a child of this city, as a human being – I will not stop trying. We will not stop trying," said Rotering.
Officials also reviewed the city’s response on Independence Day, including Smart 911, the platform it used to send alerts to the community during the mass shooting.
City leaders announced that eventually, they plan to create a permanent memorial for the victims; however, at the advice of trauma experts, the city will not began that process right away – allowing the community to continue to grieve.
In the meantime, community members are finding solace at the corner of St. Johns and Central where visitors continue to lay flowers for the victims.
"It's therapy, it makes me feel better and people ask, you know, they want to talk, they really do," said Kathy LaMorte.
Kathy LaMorte is a volunteer with the Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, and sprang into action at the parade.
"I’m just glad I was in the right place at the right time," said LaMorte.
The group of volunteers was recognized at Monday’s meeting, along with a heartfelt thank you to Highland Park’s police and fire departments – and all the surrounding communities whose first responders stepped in.
Learn more about the resources being offered at the city’s Resource Navigation Center by visiting 211lakecounty.org or by calling 844-714-5274 between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
On Tuesday, July 26, the city is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Highland Park Senior Center. Appointments are recommended and can be made online.