Annual neighborhood meetings underway in Highland Park. 3 more remain

Civic engagement isn’t easy. With a handful of local government agencies holding more than a handful of monthly meetings discussing numerous topics each time, keeping pace is difficult for residents.

In an effort to help, each year Highland Park agencies unite for four, informal neighborhood meetings, the first of which in 2025 was held on Monday, April 2, at West Ridge Center.

Seven residents showed up to listen to a group of government officials representing, respectively, the City of Highland Park, Park District of Highland Park, Highland Park Public Library, school districts 112 and 113, and Moraine Township.

Mayor Nancy Rotering told guests that the floor was theirs.

“You got everyone in one room,” she said. “… It’s your agenda.”

The casual back-and-forth primarily covered topics impacting western Highland Park, including the development of the vacant Solo Cup property and former Toys ‘R’ Us building.

City Manager Ghida Neukirch and Mayor Nancy Rotering handled much of the Solo Cup response, recapping the current proposal for 240 townhomes and explaining the City’s limited control over the private property.

School officials, such as District 112 Superintendent Michael Lubelfeld, also explained the complicated school-boundary split on the Solo Cup land, which is split between Deerfield and Highland Park elementary districts.

Resident Lisa Kollmorgen attended to find out more about the Solo Cup development, as well as Toys ‘R’ Us, and was grateful for the City response.

“I got information about my concerns, in that some of my fears were confirmed, like the City doesn’t have that much control (over the Solo Cup property),” she said before calling the program “a great idea.”

She added, “I appreciate it a lot. This is a fairly active, civically involved community and I know sometimes meetings can be intense, so I appreciate that they do it and take people’s considerations seriously. I love this.”

Residents and city officials also chatted roadway safety in the Ravinia district of Highland Park. Hearing concerns about regular traffic violations, Neukirch pledged to share the feedback with the police department and relay the department’s response.

Additionally, residents heard an update on the ongoing library expansion. Executive Director Heidi Smith detailed the project, while also sharing concerns over federal funding.

Federal dollars to state libraries are caught up in cuts made by President Trump’s administration, and Smith said the shortfall may impact materials that the library has available.

Residents have three more opportunities to address the officials during their annual tour. The remaining events are:

• 7 p.m. April 30 at Northwood Middle School, 945 North Ave.;
• 7 p.m. May 5 at Township High School District 113 offices, 1040 Park Ave W.; and
• 3 p.m. May 7 at the Highland Park Senior Center, 1207 Park Ave. W.

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