Council committee recommends adopting IHRA working definition of antisemitism; staff to add educational steps

The Highland Park City Council Committee of the Whole on July 14 recommended adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism by ordinance and directed staff to include that definition in the city's personnel manuals and employee education materials. Emily Taub, representing city staff, presented the draft ordinance and recommended amendments after outreach with legal counsel and several Jewish community organizations.

"The policy consideration in front of you tonight is twofold. First, to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism by ordinance and then to also direct the city manager to include the working definition of antisemitism into the city's employment panels," a staff presenter said. The staff recommendation included adding contemporary IHRA examples to the ordinance and updating recitals to note an increase in hate-motivated incidents in the Chicago area.

Staff described prior outreach and training: Highland Park officials have participated in workshops with the U.S. Department of Justice and received training from the Anti-Defamation League; they also consulted Stand With Us, the American Jewish Federation and Jewish community organizations in preparing the draft. The staff report noted that more than 1,200 organizations have adopted the IHRA definition globally, including about 120 in the United States and five municipalities in Illinois.

Council members supported the ordinance while asking the Human Relations Advisory Group (HRAG) to review the city's statement against hate and values statements to determine whether additional, community-specific definitions or approaches are needed for other groups. Council Member Andres said the Jewish community in Highland Park faces "nuances" of antisemitism that merit specific attention and argued that the city's significant Jewish population gives the council added responsibility to lead on the issue. "There is a concept in diversity, equity, inclusion that... to achieve equity for different communities may require different interventions," Andres said.

Council members and staff clarified the ordinance's scope and enforcement: if adopted, the definition would apply to city employees through updated personnel policy and education; it would guide city communications and training but would not create new civil penalties. As staff explained, the city could "take that into consideration" in procurement or contractor decisions in the same way it already considers ethical standards, but the ordinance does not create a standalone enforcement mechanism.

Council consensus in committee signaled readiness to vote the proposed ordinance at the upcoming council meeting. Staff said next steps would include updating the personnel manual, preparing public communication and continuing community education efforts in partnership with local and national organizations.