Council weighs Independence Day plans: keep remembrance, bring back fireworks, and keep parade on July 4

Highland Park city staff and council members spent an extended Sept. 25 committee-of-the-whole meeting reviewing the city's Independence Day programming and seeking policy direction on remembrance events, fireworks or drone shows, and the community parade.

City Manager Eden Newkirk and Assistant to the City Manager Aaron Jason presented seven policy items and said staff wanted council feedback to guide planning for 2026. Newkirk recommended continuing scaled remembrance ceremonies until the permanent place of remembrance is complete and suggested keeping next year's remembrance at the Moraine with preregistration and an indoor, smaller-scale program.

Emma from the resiliency team said staff had reached out to many victims' families: "The largest group by far is avoiding the events," she said, adding that other small groups wanted a return of larger memorial events or a day of community service.

Council members and staff discussed whether to relocate remembrance programming to City Hall because attendance has decreased. Council member Ledore said the temporary memorial site is adjacent to City Hall and that holding a smaller, "hamish" (cozy) ceremony at City Hall would help people become familiar with the future permanent site. City staff proposed the following steps, which the council agreed to move forward with for 2026 planning:

- Move the June council meeting from June 22 to June 29 and include a proclamation at that meeting; staff will offer an optional community art/activity tied to remembrance for attendees ahead of the meeting.
- Encourage residents to stop by the temporary memorial on July 4 to lay flowers or light battery candles; the city will provide battery-operated candles and staff will be on site. Council members agreed to attempt to be on site together at 10:14 a.m., but there will be no city-run formal program at that time.

On evening entertainment, staff summarized a community survey and noted a $50,000 line in the FY26 budget associated with the existing drone company contract; staff asked whether the council preferred drones or fireworks. The Park District proposes to hold Independence Fest on July 3 and the Park District is open to partnering so the city's nighttime entertainment could follow the Park District's concert.

Council members described mixed views: some residents favor fireworks returning; others said fireworks can be triggering for people affected by the 2022 mass violence. After discussion the council supported partnering with the Park District to stage fireworks tied to the Park District's July 3 concert so residents can choose whether to attend and the city can provide advance notice.

On the parade, staff explained attendance has declined and that securing entrants and entertainment remains challenging. Council discussed four options: keep a parade on July 4; move it to another date; pause the parade for a period; or shift the community parade to pair with another holiday event. After debate the council expressed a preference to continue a July 4 parade in 2026, but to keep it on the updated shorter route in downtown for safety and operational reasons. Staff recommended a parade start time near 10:30 a.m.; council members settled on a start time of roughly 10:45 a.m. while planning to be present at the temporary memorial at 10:14 a.m.

Staff emphasized the city will continue to evaluate security needs and noted the parade route choice is intended to limit exposure and allow coordination with evening events.

City staff said they will return with detailed logistics, security assessments and updated communications so residents can plan whether to attend or opt out.