Highwood Voters to Choose Between HP, Private Company for Emergency Services

HIGHWOOD, IL - Whether or not North Shore School District 112 will move forward with a $198 million reconfiguration plan is not the only referendum voters in Highwood will have on the ballot come March 15.

Voters will decide whether or not fire and ambulance services will be provided by the city of Highland Park, ceasing the services from the city of Highwood.

The language - “Shall the City of Highwood Fire Department serving the citizens with the City of Highwood cease to provide emergency services and be dissolved and discontinued?” - is set by state statute and the City is not allowed to change it, according to a news release sent Friday.

The release noted city officials desire to “clarify” that a yes vote is in favor of the services switching to the Highland Park Fire Department and a no vote means Highwood would need to contract with a private company since the phrasing of the question could confuse some.

Highwood Mayor Charles Pecaro is one who supports the possible switch to Highland Park.

“Highland Park makes an ideal partner due to their close proximity to Highwood and since they already supply Fire and EMS services to half of the Ft. Sheridan subdivision area,” he said. “The maps depicting response times from either fire station, (Highwood or Highland Park #34), are so similar that we see no change to safety and service.”

In November, the two cities entered into an intergovernmental agreement for fire and emergency medical services, but that can only be implemented if the referendum passes.