In light of the tragic shooting at the City of Highland Park Fourth of July Parade, our local partners have compiled the following resources, including how to make a blood donation, a family resource center and more.
Donate Blood: NorthShore University Health Systems is seeking blood donations for the victims of the shooting. Donations can be made through Vitalant or directly to NorthShore Hospital by appointment: [email protected], 847-570-2242.
Family Assistance Center for Victims of Highland Park Shooting: A Family Assistance Center (FAC) opened on July 6 at Highland Park High School to offer support services and crisis assistance to those directly impacted by the events at the Highland Park 4th of July Parade. Victims are not just those who are physically injured, but also those were present and may be experiencing emotional distress. Services including counseling and mental health services, spirtual care, and financial assistance. The FAC will be open Saturday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. After that time, the FAC will be suspending operations. As victim support and property recovery will continue at a separate location, the public is asked to watch hpstrong.info for updates. More info.
Community members seeking support will continue to have access to the below resources online. No proof of citizenship is required to access services:
Vigils : A number of planned vigils have been scheduled in the City of Highland Park. Learn more on the City’s website.
Lake County Crisis Line: Call 847-377-8088 for mental health resources or support. Crisis Counselors are available 24 hours a day to speak with you by phone. Information and referrals to other Health Department programs are also available.
Need Help? Call 211: 211 is a free, confidential one-step resource that connects you to services you need. Call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 to speak to a live, highly trained expert navigator who will lead you to the help you need. 211 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is available in more than 150 different languages.
Additional Updates: The Lake County Major Crime Task Force, Highland Park Police, and FBI are leading the investigation into the shooting incident that took place July 4 in Highland Park. The Lake County Emergency Management Agency (LCEMA) is currently staffing the Emergency Operations Center, actively monitoring and responding to requests for assistance from our local partners as needed. In addition, they are coordinating with other area EMAs and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA).
On Tuesday, Governor Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation to grant the State of Illinois the ability to expedite the use of state resources, personnel, or equipment to help communities recover.
Stay Informed: Sign up for City eNews for direct updates from the City of Highland Park as additional resources become available. You also can go to the City of Highland Park website for information.