Highland Park's July Fourth celebrations two years later
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The Art Center Highland Park is hosting an indoor picnic for residents who are not ready to be outdoors in a crowd. Photo courtesy of Ahmed Ibrahim
Two years after the Highland Park shooting, the city is hosting July Fourth events to bring the community together and recognize the lives that were taken.
The big picture: City leaders have followed guidance from mental health professionals, victims' families and officials with the Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime who say reclaiming traditions, especially with holidays, is a benefit to the community's long-term resiliency.
Catch up quick: Robert E. Crimo faces 21 counts of first-degree murder and other charges for allegedly shooting into the crowd during Highland Park's July Fourth parade in 2022, killing seven people and injuring dozens more.
- Last week, Crimo rejected a deal to plead guilty.
The latest: Highland Park congressman Brad Schneider, along with U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, introduced a resolution this week to honor the victims.
State of play: Highland Park is hosting a remembrance ceremony at 10am at Edgewood Middle School that includes a moment of silence, a reading of the names of the people lost that day, remarks from Mayor Nancy Rotering and interfaith clergy, and music.
- Spots for the event are filled, but people can email to join a waitlist should tickets become available.
- An afternoon parade called "Sweet Home Highland Park" kicks off at 1pm.
Zoom in: The city created a Resiliency Division after the shooting to provide mental health and legal resources for survivors and community members.
Between the lines: Not everyone is ready to be back at the parade or in large crowds, so The Art Center Highland Park is hosting an indoor picnic and arts and crafts from 10am-3pm Thursday.
What they're saying: "Independence Day has traditionally been a special opportunity for our community to come together with beloved traditions," Rotering said in a statement.
- "As we continue our journey as one Highland Park, we do so with respect, compassion, and support for all whose lives were forever changed on July 4, 2022, while maintaining the community spirit that has always been a hallmark of Highland Park's Independence Day events."