Lake County joins the City of Highland Park in solidarity following the tragic shooting at the Independence Day Parade on July 4, 2022. We embrace the Highland Park community in grieving for those who were killed or injured and our hearts are with their loved ones.
Lake County is working with the City of Highland Park as well as other governmental and community organizations to provide resources to assist the victims and those affected by the tragic shooting at the City of Highland Park Fourth of July parade. Below is a list of available resources. Please be sure to follow HPStrong.info for the most up-to-date information.
July 13 Community Vigil
The City of Highland Park is hosting a vigil at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 13 for all those in the community who would like to remember the victims of the shooting on July 4. The vigil will take place at City Hall, 1707 St. Johns. Ave. The event will be livestreamed on the City of Highland Park Facebook page for those who are unable to attend.
A number of planned vigils have been scheduled in the City of Highland Park. Learn more on the City’s website.
Use 211 To Find Resources
Community members, victims and their families recovering from this traumatic event are urged to contact 211 to find the latest resources, including mental health services, grief counseling, financial assistance, lost and found information, blood drive information, verified donation fundraisers and other resources as they emerge.
211 is free, confidential, 24/7 and multilingual, with English and Spanish-speaking staff and assistance to other languages via interpreters in 150 languages. To access 211, dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211. Residents outside of Lake County who have been affected by the mass shooting can call 1-855-677-5253 toll free. You can also visit 211LakeCounty.org under Hot Topics for a link to resources.
United Way of Lake County’s 211 is collecting information about verified fundraisers and donation needs for victims and their families. Before bringing in-kind donations of goods to crisis centers, visit 211LakeCounty.org or contact 211 to determine what items are needed right now. Social media posts are often unchecked and not removed after crisis centers have met the needs of the victims with donations. Monetary donations are encouraged as they are best utilized for the immediate and ongoing needs of the victims as they recover from their losses.
Family Assistance Center for Victims of Highland Park Shooting:
A Family Assistance Center (FAC) and community-led counselors will serve individuals and families impacted through Friday, July 15. Daily operating hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Individuals should enter Highland Park High School through the H-Entrance. The H-Entrance is located on the north side of the school, near St. Johns Avenue and Woodpath Lane. The FAC will be suspended on Sunday, July 10 to give the community and volunteers a day to process, rest, and renew for next week. Learn more
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.
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 July 5, 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. The public is asked to watch hpstrong.info for updates.