Committee of the Whole Meeting 10/26/2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tD2doC71ck
Automatic captions; not audio-verified.

[4:02] Island Park, Illinois, Monday, October 26, 2026. Will clerk, please call the role.

[4:08] Council member center. Council member Bman here. Council member Ross. Council member Topia present. Council L here. Council member here.

[4:16] Here. We do have a quorum. Um, why don't we just dive into our agenda?

[4:21] I am seeking approval of the minutes from our last meeting, which I'll give

[4:28] you the date and 30 seconds, which I believe is the 14th October 15th 13th,

[4:36] approval of the minutes of the regular meeting October 13th and also the closed session on October 13th.

[4:43] So, second. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Hearing none, the minutes are approved.

[4:49] Uh we have one item of special business today and that is uh planning Independence Day 2027.

[4:56] Please. Um thank you, mayor, council members. Um I just want to introduce and recognize our two assistant city managers, um Aaron Jason and Emily TA.

[5:03] They're going to be walking through um the short PowerPoint that we have this evening. We are looking for your policy feedback on uh three topics as it

[5:12] pertains to planning for Independence Day for next year. Um so uh we will walk through the presentation and then

[5:19] welcome your feedback. Thanks so

[5:30] All right. Good evening. So um planning for 2026 Independence Day events began in the third quarter of 2025 and

[5:37] continued through June of 2026. I would actually say continued until 11:30 p.m.

[5:43] on July 3rd. Uh so Highland Park celebration showcased the community as a at its best. We think it was vibrant. It was welcoming and deeply committed to

[5:52] honoring both the tradition and resilience. Unfortunately, mother nature required the city and park district to cancel events on July 3rd. And that decision was made after a thoughtful

[6:00] review and consideration which included coordination with the park district and the fireworks company and also based on communication with neighboring

[6:07] communities. Tonight, as we talk about planning for next year, we ask you to keep in mind the following elements. Um, so we all remember how we got here. Just

[6:16] keep this in mind. We're trying to avoid the full day uh long slate of events like we experienced in 2023. It's very

[6:23] taxing on staff. It's very hard to staff um and takes significant um funding, safety, and security. Um keeping our

[6:31] staffing levels, infrastructure needs in place, but they're significant lifts for us to um put on Independence Day.

[6:38] We do continue to take a trauma-informed approach. Um, of course, there's an environmental impact to fireworks, what we considered last year when we talked about drones versus fireworks.

[6:49] We appreciate the ability to re-evaluate year-over-year with you. So, thank you for that. And we do need to plan in advance for these events. Um,

[6:59] right now we already have people who walked through the parade with us last year, some of the entertainment that we had speaking to book with us if we're going to have a parade again, what time

[7:06] it is because they need to start booking for other places. So, that is a consideration for us and knowing what the plan is going forward so we can look

[7:14] at booking that entertainment. And then the park district who has been our partner for many years and many seasons for Independence Day events, um, they

[7:21] are also looking to partner with us again um, potentially July 3rd. They actually asked us to consider July 2nd.

[7:28] Right now, staff um from the city side is still recommending July 3rd and fourth VR events.

[7:34] And then um just being aware of locations and things of that nature.

[7:39] So, our feedback tonight is going to center, as the city manager said, on three main things. The remembrance um remembrance ceremony and our place of

[7:47] remembrance dedication. When do we have um something formal for remembrance this year? This coming year. Fireworks. um

[7:55] continue them if you want to continue them. Do we continue to partner then with Independence Day or do we learn from what we had to pivot last year

[8:03] after our rain out and consider partnering with National Night Out again um for fireworks and then parade um confirmation of do you want to have a

[8:11] parade? Uh do you want to have it on July 4th? So the event and the timing itself. So I'm going to let Emily talk a little bit more about remembrance.

[8:21] So briefly just wanted to recap a little bit about what we have discussed for many years related to the remembrance and related to events after the shooting

[8:29] is that there is no single correct approach to how we look at these needs.

[8:34] There are always going to be balancing the needs of different individuals and the wants of different individuals because there is no one path to moving

[8:44] forward. Everyone's journey is different. Everyone is in a different place and we are always going to have to balance those competing interests and

[8:53] needs as we move forward. But we did want to take into consideration as we move forward the significance of the

[9:00] five-year mark. It is an important bark across different community across different events and we do believe there

[9:07] will not only be increased interest but there will be an increased desire for some sort of commemoration at the

[9:15] five-year mark as we move forward and just a reminder that as I know you've been heavily involved in our planning for our permanent place of

[9:23] remembrance as we are moving forward with that because of the construction timeline the temporary memorial will be

[9:31] unavailable on July 4th. We anticipate that being closed. As you know, last year we moved from a remembrance

[9:39] ceremony to a more individualized approach, allowing individuals to come to the memorial at their own time, in their own pace, and remember in a way

[9:48] that was meaningful for them. The physical space for that me for that um remembrance will not be something that

[9:55] we have an option for in 2027. though we do have a secondary location that has been available to us on St.

[10:05] John's first. However, the the Rose Garden location will not be an option.

[10:11] And as a reminder, um as we've been talking with many of the different individuals affected by the shooting, everyone experiences that differently.

[10:19] For many, it is critical to be a part of the events and to move forward as a part of the um July 4th events and

[10:28] commemorates and remembrance events. For others and a large group, many of the direct victims next of kin as well as

[10:36] those who are present and injured have just chosen and have indicated that they are just not taking part in any Fourth of July activities in general. So that's

[10:44] just some their their means of moving forward and handling things. So, as we're looking for guidance for you, we wanted to talk a little bit about a

[10:53] remembrance ceremony and a formal remembrance event. Again, this is historically something that many communities affected by incidents of

[11:01] mass violence have handled in many different manners. There are many communities that do formal events marking at different milestones. There

[11:10] are many that have continued and there are others in a significant amount that have phased things out as they've moved

[11:17] forward. they have moved to and letting individuals remember at their own pace in their own time. And there truly isn't

[11:23] one correct path. We need to know our community, what we feel is best for our community, and we're looking for your guidance in that as we move forward. If

[11:33] we do hold a remembrance ceremony, we would recommend that that be held on the 4th at 9:00 a.m. as a part of the day's

[11:40] events. In general, the 2023 to 2025 perform programs were very wellreceived.

[11:46] people appreciated them. Though they were not heavily attended, they were very meaningful to those that were there and felt they were important to be

[11:53] offered and something that was there. We would continue to engage next of kin and president in the planning process as

[12:01] we've done through any of these ceremonies if we do move forward. But just a note as we do do this, we are of course balancing different staff into

[12:10] planning needs both in the location, the ability to secure and provide a meaningful um environment for any event.

[12:18] One alternative we did want to present for consideration given that it will still be 2027. We are looking to complete the place of remember the

[12:26] primary place of remembrance at the rose garden is as a part of that dedication event in the fall that we are we believe

[12:33] will be taking place as we complete the place of remembrance we could have a formal marking of the five year mark

[12:41] five-year mark at that dedication ceremony.

[12:44] So we would incorporate just take what we would be learning and planning and incorporate that into that five-year remembrance and again that would be in

[12:53] coordination with next of kin and present and injured. So we are looking for your policy feedback. If we do not move forward with a remembrance ceremony

[13:00] on the 4th as we'll talk about as we move forward. We do want you to be aware that does potentially open up some other options for the timing of the of a

[13:09] parade if we hold that on July 4th. But that certainly was not a primary consideration. The primary consideration

[13:16] is do we feel it's appropriate to hold a remembrance ceremony? Is it something that's right for the community of Highland Park?

[13:25] Do you want to pause for each each one?

[13:27] I was going to ask you what would be helpful to you. I kind of feel like we do want to bifurcate each of these pieces because they're so vastly

[13:34] different in tone. Um so I'm just going to dive in to this one if that's okay.

[13:40] Absolutely. Um, so do we have a timeline of when we think something will be substantially

[13:48] complete? And I think I mentioned this some on one of our calls. Notradam it was 5 years we will be done. It was 5

[13:58] years in 2024 and it's been complete but it's totally not complete. At what point do you feel and maybe you don't have the

[14:05] answer to this when the substantial completion will be? And then I have a second question sort of on top of that.

[14:12] We had talked about giving the next of kin the opportunity to plant bulbs that

[14:19] will come up every year as sort of a a permanent interaction with the creation of the place of remembrance. Would that

[14:26] be before the 4th of July 27? Would that be in the fall of 27 when it's more

[14:34] likely complete? I just didn't know what those two timeline data points would be.

[14:39] Our best estimate at this point as we move forward is we believe of late September, early October for a completion of substantial completion of

[14:47] the place of remembrance. However, we won't have that formal complete timeline until we really are able to really break

[14:55] ground make sure our infrastructure needs are what we expect them to be that we're not going to run into any surprises. But based on what we know

[15:02] right now and the timelines that we're planning out, we're looking at late September. We are um we did discuss potentially some sort of groundbreaking

[15:11] allowing families to come together. That could be done either when we first start construction at the place of remembrance, January, February, or it

[15:20] could planting would actually need to take place come summer. It's probably August, again, early August would be when we'd be looking at the actual

[15:28] planting timeline based on what we know right now, right? And then bulbs go in more late September, October. though that would be more when it was substantially complete.

[15:38] A question that I had concerning the the possibility of a remembrance ceremony, it from talking to several people who

[15:46] were directly impacted, it sounded though they wanted to transition more

[15:51] towards community service and less about somber group remembrances. that they

[16:00] personally have their own ways as families that they remember at this point and that it's almost an imposition

[16:06] to be having to be present in a group almost not to use the word performative but just sort of you know who are we

[16:14] doing this for are we comforting the families are we comforting whatever my feeling was if we could do you know the

[16:23] month of July be a month of service in remembrance and and better understand the people whose lives were taken and what was important to them and how can

[16:32] we as a community remember them by continuing acts of service and their names. That's just one suggestion that I

[16:39] had heard actually from several of the next of kin. Um so I'm sorry that Jasmine's not here but um I just I want

[16:47] to throw that out as an option to people if we're not going to do a formal remembrance ceremony. Um you know and

[16:56] yeah I see both of you raising your hands. I'm going to go to Emily first if that's okay. Andre, just briefly, I wanted to bring up that it's really um a matter of balance.

[17:04] We've had been trying to balance several different interests, viewpoints, needs, right?

[17:09] We have heard from many community members that do feel some sense of I don't want to say retraumatization, but have

[17:18] difficulty with continued reminders of hearing about the place of remembrance.

[17:23] We also hear from many from some individuals and many individuals that remembrance is is important and they

[17:31] want to feel visible and if we don't have those type of remembrance events they don't feel visible as a part of the community. So it's really about

[17:39] balancing those two needs and there is no one path that can meet every single need but we want to do our best to

[17:46] address that with while following the trauma-informed approach. We certainly could look at a service need and a service program. We would want to be

[17:55] cautious about how we message that so that we are not continuing to message reminders of um any of of the shooting

[18:04] to people more than they are comfortable with. But it's certainly something we could try and find strike that balance with. Great. Thank you. And and what

[18:12] kind of tipped that at least for me was last year when several of us were in the temporary. We took the time, we read the

[18:20] names, we read the stories, we reflected, we spent the time. How do we continue to talk about the lives and not

[18:28] the loss and and you know as the legacies of people who were part of the community.

[18:34] So that's just sort of come from Andre your hand up.

[18:36] Yeah. I you know it's you as time moves on you know this more of a dissipation

[18:43] about how individuals and families and groups of people deal with it, right?

[18:48] and everybody starts to internalize in different ways that start to have a organic feel of their own and kind of along the lines of what you just said a

[18:56] little bit earlier about some families feel like we've we have identified how we want to remember and maybe these collective things of remembrance are

[19:04] just in position I mean something like that right so but it makes me wonder like you know the place remembrance finally is going to come and be built

[19:12] and you know so up to this point we haven't had a place or an ongoing thing so we had to kind of create these events

[19:19] or you know organize these programs but the the place of remembrance itself is a permanent place of remembrance where

[19:28] groups of people can go families can go so I don't know quite what what the answer is on this other than now we

[19:36] going to have something in place physically and you know what peaceful and all the things that we want to see

[19:42] happen precisely to allow people to enter it when they want in the way that

[19:49] they want. So I just want to you know just name that right that we have something we haven't had all along. Now

[19:58] should we do something on the fifth year anniversary which can be you know tends to be symbolic. I'm not saying no in my

[20:05] point of view but it's so close right to the the the fall right. So I wonder I mean that will be a

[20:14] time of remembrance in a very explicit programmatic way but then it will open up the place for an ongoing. So I I just

[20:23] wonder if we say maybe maybe not on the 4th of July.

[20:28] In fact we will do it this this year. Uh and and people felt seem to feel okay about it. You know I should know about the families but in fact it was the

[20:37] families that kind of moved us in the direction and not this year. So if it was okay last year, I'm talking this year, why wouldn't it have been okay

[20:45] next year? And then one might say, well, it's the fifth year. Maybe that's it.

[20:49] But on the fifth year, we're going to have the place of remembrance, right?

[20:53] So it's not like there's nothing else that's No, that is that is the remembrance.

[20:57] That is the remembrance and it's going to be meaningful and permanent, right? So that's kind of how I see it. Okay. Appreciate the thoughts, Annette.

[21:05] and vice versa.

[21:07] So, um kind of what Andre said actually, but um you know, you all because of your

[21:15] work with committee are much more in touch with the families and so I really respect that. Um I I think we've gotten

[21:22] a pretty clear message and that is that first of all, the place will be the

[21:30] event. It will be the thing. And I hope we do a really special large remembrance when the place is ready.

[21:40] Mhm.

[21:40] But to mark the day, I do kind of like the idea of at least giving people the option if they want to come to a small

[21:48] ceremony. I I don't want to use the word religious, but what I mean is if someone wants to have a 10-minute remembrance

[21:55] wherever we decide to have it. And you know, I I think that that would be something that would be lovely to offer

[22:03] it. But I also think what we've seen, and the reason I don't think it should be on the scale of creating something or trying to do something is I think what

[22:11] we've heard really is that that isn't where people want to go. I think they're ready for our place of remembrance to be

[22:18] there for them. And along those lines, I did want to ask the question, now that we have a firmer date for uh the Rose

[22:25] Garden, do we have any idea about what we're going to do in a time frame for port clean the sculpture?

[22:33] Yes, just a time. I'm just asking about a general time frame.

[22:37] A general time frame. Um, a lot of that will be driven by the proposals we receive from the artists. So we are in

[22:44] the process of that. We expect to review um in early December with the cultural arts commission and the place of

[22:52] remembrance and the working group. So at that time as an artist is selected in December January by city council, we'll

[23:01] have a better idea of what timeline for that sculpture and when it might be installed. So it really will depend upon the scope, size, and nature of the art

[23:10] that's selected. I didn't mean to get off on a tangent, but I did have that question. But al along those lines, my recommendation would just be, you know,

[23:17] and and if the numbers are any size, perhaps we can do something at the small garden at the corner of um St. John's

[23:26] and Central because it would be a garden. It would be nearby. Um, and rather than going into Port Clinton at

[23:34] this point, I think perhaps to do it on that corner just for this year to offer to people if they want a moment to come

[23:41] together and have a remembrance ceremony. It's quite short before anything else that we do. So,

[23:48] so you would do it on the corner, but we're having the parade.

[23:54] Yeah, we're going to have time to walk over. It's all in the basic area. So, I'm just saying I'm just offering up

[24:01] another suggestion of where we might have 15 minutes for people to come together and and I don't know about the

[24:09] nine o'clock because I don't know what time the parade is going to be. Frankly, I think 10:00 is a lot better for other people and then if we have a

[24:18] parade to do that at 11, but I I would I'm not a um trauma informed therapist,

[24:25] but I'd be really concerned about having a place of remembrance ceremony with an earshot

[24:33] and eye vision of the parade prep. It just seems a little insensitive to me. I

[24:40] Well, it's just not meant that way. So, I know it's not. I know it's not. I'm just sort of kind of And maybe we do something at the

[24:47] library, something that is, you know, outdoors, right?

[24:52] Small just to offer something. I just I feel like the vast majority of people I don't think want this. Mhm.

[24:58] But for anyone who does, I feel like we should offer them that homage even if we say we're going to do something for the

[25:07] fifth and you know um in the remembrance when it's complete. So obviously those announcements will be out there and

[25:14] people will know. But just if someone does want to be with city officials or in something official.

[25:21] Yeah. Did we have anybody? I thought it was mainly us and like one person walking by last year when we were Yeah, there was

[25:29] last year at that time, but people individuals did come throughout the day. They did. Okay.

[25:33] We gave people an opportunity to It wasn't a ceremony. It was just come by, we'll have flowers and it was a lot of respect.

[25:41] It was lovely. It was It was personal.

[25:43] Do we Where are the plaques that are currently in the temporary place of remembrance going to be while we're

[25:51] constructing? Is there a way we can are they because we we kind of have tried to have some presence continuously?

[26:01] Um and we don't want to traumatize people but we also don't want it to not be an option on that very day that is so difficult.

[26:11] So I mean we have reservations about setting up another temporary place of remembrance just for the construction.

[26:18] Is the construction, sorry to get so into the nitty-gritty, but is the construction coming all the way to

[26:25] exactly where they are, or is it the construction itself will not like it will likely come out to where the

[26:33] plaques are now. What we're not sure of yet until we get a little bit farther into planning is what the entrance and exit routes for construction vehicles in and out of the site may need to be.

[26:43] That just hasn't been determined yet.

[26:45] So, we're not sure what portion of the of the Rose Garden will be accessible and safe, frankly. Okay.

[26:53] What we have found is just that people naturally are just they go to Port Clinton, they go to St. John's Central,

[27:01] um, and they go now to the place of remembrance. So, there are just different locations where people are naturally going where they feel most comfortable.

[27:08] We still have the plaques up at St.

[27:10] John's and Central. We do and we do not intend to take those down until after the permanent place of remembrance is open.

[27:18] All right. So to your point, maybe that's a place where people can if it's not sensitive. That's my that's the concern. Yeah. And maybe we

[27:25] need to talk. But again, maybe it's only 10 people. Maybe if those are people who in many ways wanted more Clinton, this

[27:32] is the way to honor just one year, right? I don't know. Thanks for your patience.

[27:38] Oh yeah, of course. Uh, so I um I mean I I love that we're going to be doing something in the obviously in the fall, but I do think with the fifth year

[27:47] anniversary, we should do something similar to what we just talked about from last year with um at least with us

[27:54] gathering and whoever with the flowers um in a location, I guess, to be determined or whether it's in front of city hall or somewhere. Um I do think

[28:03] that for the people that do want it to do especially with the fifth year anniversary do something small not a formal ceremony though I'm not

[28:11] necessarily in favor of that but um and then the obviously the bigger um dedication and remembrance once that's ready in the fall. Um, so I also think

[28:20] we should do something little um the location wherever it would make sense nearby. Um,

[28:28] or also I know we discussed last year doing something like the meeting before at least at city hall um as well. I'm

[28:35] sure we will in in our June meeting um or maybe do something incorporate that in our meeting here in June as well. Um

[28:43] so thanks. What do people think about July 3rd?

[28:49] It's not the fourth, but gathering on the third without the sounds of parade.

[28:56] I just worry about if I'm sensitive, hearing drummers preparing would be really traumatizing.

[29:05] Sensitive. I don't know.

[29:08] I like that. I guess because it's it's that it's approximate, but it's not Yeah.

[29:14] right in your face. I don't know. Tony thoughts.

[29:19] Well, I mean, organically people are beginning to do what is right for them in terms of the core group of

[29:26] people who are directly affected, the survivors, fam, the families of the people who who

[29:33] were killed and uh people who were directly physically affected by it. That that's sort of organically turning into

[29:43] reduced attendance. Um, I I think as you set up more places

[29:49] on the day, um, I I think that respects preferences of individuals as much as

[29:56] you can do that. That's the complicating because it's their yard site, their day of remembrance. Yeah.

[30:02] And so maybe as a city saying we reflect, we remember maybe on the third.

[30:09] I don't know. I just I can speak for myself only, but I know that whole first week of July, yeah, there's like a heaviness that settles in

[30:17] once we hit July 1st, and it's just like here we are.

[30:21] So, I don't know that the fourth needs to be our day versus each individual's

[30:30] each individual family's day. I don't know.

[30:34] I mean it's difficult because there are different significant things being addressed on

[30:41] July 4th. The event happened um and it's also the um you know the

[30:49] celebration of the uh the country that people are having very mixed feelings about right now. Um you know I I

[30:57] understand why there's a reduced attendance on the fourth. um there's sort of inconsistent feelings about what

[31:03] we're supposed to be engaged in. Um I I think the idea of of doing something on the third, making that available when

[31:11] there isn't a parade going on, um I'm I'm certainly comfortable with that. Thank you.

[31:19] Anybody else? The only thing I would say about the third, and I say this out of respect for staff time, I I think if the

[31:27] park district is doing something on the third, and we have a parade, which is a big event on the fourth, to have staff

[31:35] having to deal with something which is frankly that emotional and traumatic on the third, too, I think is too much. I'd

[31:42] rather see it packed in two and and even if it means on the fourth in the atrium of city hall so they're indoors they

[31:50] can't hear anything but we bring flowers in or something to make it special. I don't know. I I just think to be

[31:58] respectful of staff's trauma I would rather have it consolidated into one.

[32:07] just thought.

[32:08] Yeah, I I like the third. Um I mean if the rose garden was still available, I think we would not be having this discussion, right?

[32:17] Because that's what happened very organically and beautiful. It's just we have this dilemma. So where my mind was going as one final attempt, you know, we're in end of October.

[32:30] Is there any possible way that the way that construction happens that's there that could be something a modeicum of something finished not fully finished?

[32:39] That's where I was headed. I was like it could be substantial but substantial, right? Highly unlikely. Okay.

[32:46] Just candidly. Yeah. Highly unlikely. Or it would be a construction site where we don't I mean we could do something to

[32:53] your point in city hall or on our front lawn. Um, I mean that's that's a possibility, but there's also a lot of

[33:02] movement here in terms of people preparing for the parade.

[33:06] Still hear the bands and all that from that's that right. I don't know. I not to get back to the third, but we could

[33:14] have the plaques. You could have flowers available as we did this year.

[33:19] We could give people that opportunity to come by on the third and to remember and then it's there and it's beautiful on the fourth.

[33:27] Yeah, if it's not a ceremony and if it's just similar to what we did last year, absolutely. I mean, that's I mean, anything's doable, of course, but

[33:36] and I don't think it's too inappropriate to have that visual in front of city hall on the fifth year. You know, part

[33:44] of our challenge is we're trying not to be in people's faces, but I do think it shows a deep respect

[33:51] that we are remembering on the fifth year. Well, why not both days? Solve the dilemma for for for some the fourth is

[34:00] the day they want to do it. And in fact, you know, that's what our group did. I got 24 hours.

[34:06] Yeah. And then the people that want to come the third, you know, it's adjacent, you know. So, we just give an option.

[34:11] I think that's a great option. And if we could have not ceremony, just pick up flowers, you know, and and and thanks to whoever put up the

[34:18] little vase things. If we could have more substantive vases that are able to handle more flowers, I think that might be appropriate.

[34:26] Yeah.

[34:27] Um, are you comfortable with that or you want a ceremony?

[34:32] No, I I think if people feel that that was adequate last year, I just want to make sure that if people want to go somewhere and take advantage of it, they

[34:39] have that ability and if taking a flower and having a moment of silence is sufficient, that's fine. The only thing I would also say is, and usually people

[34:49] miss meetings for whatever reason, but on this topic, I do think we should make sure we check with Y, me, and John. Absolutely.

[34:56] Because, you know, they're clearly affected, right, by this too. Right. Right. Right.

[35:02] That would allow also allow us some time to reach out, do some outreach and conversations if people are interested in having those conversations.

[35:09] Okay. Okay. Okay. All right. Thank you.

[35:12] But we have more to talk fireworks.

[35:18] Okay, so this year, as we mentioned, fireworks are planned for July 3rd to follow Independence Fest because of the rain. Um, we moved that and partnered it

[35:27] with National Night Out. So, just letting you know, the National Night Out this year was held at Hidden Creek and then we also had overflow for fireworks

[35:35] viewing at Sunset Valley with the park district. And for attendance-wise, we had over the course of according to

[35:41] Placers, so this is an estimate, um, 784 visitors who were at National Night Out, um, is what we clocked

[35:50] and Yeah. So, and of that, approximately 5% of those folks then went to Sunset Valley afterwards to watch the

[35:57] fireworks. But during the fireworks, we had 500 folks stay at the aqua park and we had an additional 460 and again these

[36:05] are estimates who were at Sunset Valley watching. Um at Sunset Valley they mostly came right right in that final hour. So I was kind of like oh Gita this

[36:13] is a lot of work and there's like 10 people here and then all of a sudden I was like there's hundreds of people here. Yay. So uh went really well.

[36:20] Fireworks to have them. Um again premium pricing if you have them over Independence Day that's $35,000. We're

[36:27] under contract for that for the next two years at that cost. Um this current year was 40,000 because we did extra for America 250. So it go down to 35,000. Um

[36:36] Mad Bomber, who is the company that we contract with, has offered us a 10% discount if we do hold it in August. So

[36:43] that would bring us down um a little bit. Uh so just be aware of that. So, in terms of partnering with the park

[36:52] district, either option partners with the park district um either for Independence Fest or National Night Out.

[36:58] Um they would be open to partnering with us on either of those. If we did have them on the third, it would be at 9:30 at the conclusion. So, just rolling Independence Fest right into the

[37:06] fireworks and they would plan to have that at the preserve again. Cool. Okay. Thoughts?

[37:12] So, the third I'm a real Fourth of July person and I think we meaning the third. Sorry. Yeah, I I really National Night Out was lovely and it was a great time.

[37:22] It was a great pivot.

[37:24] It was a great pivot, but that emphasis to me was on pivot.

[37:28] Fourth of July is when people want fireworks. Yeah.

[37:30] And I think part of reclaiming what we need to reclaim is being able to enjoy that holiday again. And of all times to

[37:40] be able to do that, I think on the fifth anniversary, it's really crucial to do it. So I really support doing it on Independence.

[37:47] Andre, yeah, I supported also Independence Day and and you know, we were all worried about the first time this year

[37:55] and we had a thousand people come out, right?

[37:58] And if and fully respecting those that still it's we announce it, we let people know and then people can if it's too much then they they have choices, right?

[38:08] Everybody but for a thousand community members to come out is quite the statement.

[38:15] On behalf of the people who still are troubled by fireworks, I I'm going to say that I would be perfectly happy not

[38:23] to have fireworks. There are environmental reasons we've talked about. Um I was perfectly satisfied and

[38:31] I think many people were perfectly satisfied with alternate forms of celebration. Okay.

[38:35] Um personally I feel that fireworks are becoming should become a thing of the past. So on behalf of those people who

[38:44] share that in non-f firework camp I'm in the non-f firework camp. Okay.

[38:49] Uh I'm favor of fireworks. I was I I know um especially you know all the lots of families in the area were very

[38:57] excited for the fireworks after the um fourth festival which unfortunately got cancelled this year. Um but I think having it again trying hopefully the

[39:06] weather holds up um is a great way. And I think, you know, I've heard over and over again, except for, you know, like all these other surrounding suburbs are

[39:14] having them again, like we need them back. And I think it's a great way to have them, especially with the amount of people that were looking forward to them on National Night Out. Right. So, my favor.

[39:24] You support July? I support them. July 3rd. July 3rd.

[39:26] I support July 3rd as well. I think it's a great opportunity to extend Independence Fest. You got all these families who are celebrating. If you

[39:34] want to get out of there, you need to get out of there. and we'll just be sure to communicate widely. So, I don't think I think people were more surprised all

[39:42] of a sudden having them in the middle of August. Everybody had no idea what it was.

[39:46] Although it was it was great and I'm glad that people were able to celebrate the beginning of school, but I think Independence Day is the right day to

[39:54] have fireworks on the Yeah. And we the hypothesis is that if a thousand people came out on national night out days is not the you know a key

[40:02] turning point for these kind of things for Fourth of July third of July I think we're going to have more people come.

[40:08] I agree and it's a fallback position because if god forbid there's weather again we can still do national back out but I if we do it on national out that's it right. Okay.

[40:19] Fourth of July it's a lot of money. Third of July but yes third of July.

[40:23] Yeah. Awesome. Thank you. Great. Which is in your conversations future for remebrance ceremony. I mean staff will be here on the third no matter what. So

[40:30] whether we're having fireworks at Independence Fest or not, but fireworks even more staff will be in place. So something to keep in mind. Um and then

[40:37] the parade. Um last year or I guess this year, I'm sorry, it feels like it's already been a long time. Uh this year we did have the parade kickoff at 10:30

[40:46] a.m. We do recommend keeping that start time um whether there's a rendering ceremony or not just because it does keep us in line with getting acts and

[40:54] entertainment and other participants who are participating in other um Northshore parades. Particularly if we were to move it, we'd suggest moving it half an hour

[41:03] earlier where we used to be just because it gives people more time to get to Deerfield which starts at noon. Um but we do think this time frame works.

[41:10] Obviously in a manage this is a tradition. We are uh proud to keep moving forward. Um public perception has been back and forth. The last few years

[41:18] have been very low attendance. We are excited to tell you that this year we had 83% more people along the parade route group than we did in 2025. It felt like it.

[41:28] However, that number is still significantly lower than it used to be.

[41:31] Um we were about 1.3,000. So that's several thousand less than we traditionally had in the past. It is still hard to find participants to be in

[41:39] our parade. Um, we did have more this year, but it did not come with with ease. Um, we spent a lot of time um, hitting the pavement. We went to other

[41:47] communities parades. Literally, we're like talking to parade entrance in line.

[41:51] Um, we got lists of parade entrance from other um, community events.

[41:56] We did all kinds of blasts to our NPO groups in town. We sent out emails to every moderator of every high school group at District 113. We had hosted

[42:05] meetings um virtual and in person with folks to talk about what it would mean to be in the parade. Um we went to all the advisor groups as you know we had a

[42:13] number of adviserss and their families join us this year. That was very exciting from the agencies. Great. Um so it is something that we have really been pushing. We had 50 entrance sign up this

[42:22] year. 47 participated which was up from 36 the year before and about 32 the year prior. Um, again, we also tried to do

[42:30] other enhancements and a lot more budget went into parade this year. So, the park district traditionally has booked entertainment. This year, the city kind

[42:38] of took the lead on entertainment um, more so than we had in the past. We took their budget and added from our America

[42:45] 250 budget so that we could maximize those dollars and include more and then added the enhancements like the balloon decor and things like that. We also um

[42:54] had some businesses who kind of relate to the game and said, "We can't participate in the parade this year, but we could we possibly sponsor." So that's how we sponsored like the public works

[43:01] vehicles having balloons on them and things like that um throughout. So this year, you'll see in the draft budget, we do have more dollars allocated. Um less

[43:09] than we had for America 250, but um more than we've had in previous years. With that thought in mind, if you wanted to continue parade, we'd really have to um

[43:17] pay for some of those bigger entertainment pieces.

[43:20] Sure. Um so just keeping that in mind and then there is opportunities for us to if you're amenable to it actually do more formalized sponsorship

[43:27] opportunities um for the parade though usually we don't try to do that for the parade because we're also getting sponsors for all our other big city events so it can get a little bit

[43:36] difficult. Um our level of participation had decreased I said before COVID um but we are starting to get back to that level in terms of entrance. So we are

[43:45] excited about that. So what we want to know today is if you are interested in um having a parade again and um another

[43:52] stat I wanted to tell share with you the CBD itself um people in the central business district on the 4th of July this year was up 20% from 2025. So

[44:01] throughout the day we saw more visitors to the CBD which we find incredibly encouraging and our businesses noted as well. Okay.

[44:07] Um so they were up to about 4.3,000 visitors throughout this throughout the day in the CBD. What on the fourth? On the fourth. Yes.

[44:14] Good. Um, so a couple of questions and I got to say I I'm a big supporter of having the parade and having it on the

[44:22] 4th and um, people have asked when the dog and bike portion is coming back and that was previously kind of sponsored by

[44:31] the chamber. Um, but if you're looking for a way to get people to show up at the parade to see their kid march around with their dog or their bike is the way

[44:39] to do it. When you talk to people who grew up here, that is their favorite memory of growing up here is marching in the parade with their dog or their bike

[44:47] decorated. So, I recognize there may be some people who are like, "Absolutely not." But I think there are others who might be like, "Hey, that's pretty

[44:55] great." And so, I I throw that out as a concept. That always was the beginning of the parade. Um, so that's one thing.

[45:03] Um, Michael, I'm going to reflect on your comments. Thank you for sharing them with me. I think a shorter route might make sense given that there's

[45:10] nothing to march to in Sunset Park at this point. Maybe we just want to give people just more of a vibe of community

[45:18] and and excitement because they're not like three people in front of the park the post office and then we march and you know it's like maybe just to bring

[45:25] it all closer in together. So thank you for that suggestion. I recognize its people in I recognize Chiefs you've already got the worried look on your

[45:33] face. you know, it's going to like cause maybe some sort of challenges traffic-wise. Um, I don't go to the beach, whatever you guys want to do, but

[45:42] some way to maybe shorten the route. Um, I recognize that the Secret Service has weighed in on skipping the actual

[45:50] intersection where the security sounds like. We'll talk about that later. So, um, but in any case, I'm all

[45:57] in for bikes and dogs and, um, Michael's offered to dress like Willy Wonka. So, having superhero nice face. Superheroes

[46:06] coming through. Uh guess just giving people more of an opportunity to stick around. I appreciate hearing the numbers.

[46:13] Um in terms of who was in the central business district and again to reflect on what Michael recommended, just having characters do signing afterwards, you

[46:22] know, join us in Port Clinton, get some pancakes and and meet the following superheroes or whatever the case may be.

[46:29] Just giving people a reason to stick around. Um, those are just sort of my thoughts. Thank you.

[46:36] Yeah, I I I want the parade as well. Um, I like the time and um the

[46:45] um I really would like to have the the pet and child and babies and kids and

[46:52] bikes parade. And again, it's personal choice by families, right?

[46:57] You know, like the fireworks, you know, like attending the parade. I think each year we've sort of taken one more step

[47:04] and I think this is the time to take that step.

[47:09] I like that expansion idea too. I think that's great. The more we bring in the more creative thought. I know how hard you all work to try and get participants

[47:18] last time. And maybe what one of the ways to deal with that is to just open it up to different things. Again, people don't want to participate, they

[47:25] won't participate. It's the same thing if it's something that was loved. I I think the more we can go back to what we've had and show that we've overcome

[47:35] this as a city in support of our people, I think it's a way to do it. And so I love the creativity of that idea. Um I

[47:43] don't agree with shortening the rap. I I really think and I know we're going to discuss it in close, but as much of the

[47:50] traditional stuff as we can do, I think it's very important. So I don't think it's a good idea. Also, when the pace is

[47:57] right, it works. The problem has been running after we're running and everybody's running after us. That has not helped with the

[48:05] flow of the parade. And I will say the one thing that people said over and over and over to us or at least I heard was

[48:13] more music, more music, more music. So, even if they're like, you know, a little barberhop quartet, even if they're a little, you know, I

[48:21] think we always tend to think like the high school band. Mhm. I think if we can even get small entertainment acts as groups to march that have some

[48:30] tangential touch to Highland Park, it's a very good way to fill those 46 50 60 slots.

[48:39] Great. And highlights to the and kudos to the balloon creators because that really created such a great vibe. Um I'm

[48:47] going to hear from Vera Antonian and then I'll come back to you if that's okay. um in favor of the start time and yeah, great job last this this year. Um

[48:56] and also to throw in besides the pets and bike parade which I know my kids love the first year they did it. Um

[49:04] there's also like maybe some youth baseball teams and other sports to get them back in too cuz I remember they also used to like go on some of them on

[49:13] like the fire trucks and other Yeah. So bringing back to add more to the parade as well. Um but yeah, I think it's great and u yeah, I'm on favor.

[49:23] We'll continue to reach out to those groups. Yeah. Thank you.

[49:27] Yeah, I I'm good with the parade. Um good with the start time. Love the idea of reducing the route if that's

[49:35] possible. Um I had that sense and the idea of the characters, I like that too.

[49:42] Um so that's what I Great. Thank you.

[49:46] Just a suggestion on the problem we always have about getting off on the getting ahead of everybody.

[49:53] I think we need a pacer.

[49:56] It's not and we if we're the pacers as bad because we're waving at people. We we we're walking.

[50:02] We're energized. No, we need somebody to pace us roller. We do have police as pacers. Yeah.

[50:07] We're just not So yeah, we do have a pacer, but we we haven't benefited from that.

[50:12] Well Well, this past year. So what what happened this year if if I may sorry there was one group that the rest of their group didn't come so they only one

[50:20] person passing things so they kept stopping and they were backing everybody up so they were behind you everybody was pretty like good on pace and everybody after that group was good on pace once

[50:28] we realized they were the situation we we couldn't figure out I was like why are we backed up here and the EOC was able to determine video cameras that we

[50:36] have placed specifically for parade where the holdup was sent a sergeant out right away they got them moving we already have and staff plans to have

[50:45] someone in a golf cart or ATV moving throughout to make sure we don't have those holdups in in the future. But we talked a lot about pace because pace was

[50:53] absolutely an issue first unit going and they were setting the pace and so we and we said go slow.

[51:02] Okay. So the case got kind of off track the two years ago

[51:09] the burden of us figuring out the pacing. We've got to go catch up.

[51:18] We were it's up to us and there was no one that we were looked to for leadership. Right. Right.

[51:22] Well, we were running with our We were running with our banner.

[51:26] All right. Well, that is all the Thank you.

[51:29] Awesome. Anything else for committee the whole will go into closed I guess after city council. So is there a motion to adjurnn?

[51:38] Wait wait wait. Hold on. Wait what? What? What?

[51:40] We're going to have a whole hour to kill. No, we're having dinner at 6:30. Oh, we have dealer early. Yes. Sorry. Okay.

[51:48] We have a group coming inside.

[51:49] It is warm. Yeah, we have the property owners. We have the Lancia awarded now and then we'll come back to it.

[51:58] Um do you do you want to do we can do a little bit of closed 10 minutes.

[52:04] All right. So um I'll see a motion to go to all three. Don't do it for all three. Just do us.

[52:12] Just do the first two. Just the opposite.

[52:14] Okay. Um motion to go into close session for purposes of discussing purchase and lease of property.

[52:22] No security.

[52:23] Uh to discuss security pursuant to five ILCS120/2c8. Wow. Okay.

[52:29] Do you also want to do probable litigation that just in case all three of them? We don't have to cover them.

[52:36] Okay. also to discuss the purchase and lease of property, the setting of price for the sale or lease of property, and

[52:45] to discuss probable litigation pursuant to 5CS120/2C5, 6, and 11 respectively.

[52:55] Second. Thank you. Will the clerk call the vote?

[52:59] Brockman, I lower I member. Hi.

[53:06] Hi. Let's uh fiveye eyes and nos and we'll go into close. And council member Ross is on the