Highland Park Mayor Set For Broad Expansion Of Emergency Powers

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — In response to the spread of the new coronavirus, Mayor Nancy Rotering Friday called an emergency City Council meeting to consider an ordinance granting her office new emergency and management authorities.

City officials also announced all municipal buildings would be closed to the public starting Monday, in addition to previously announced closures of schools, libraries, park district facilities and the cancellation of large public events.

Scheduled for consideration at an emergency meeting at noon Saturday, the proposed ordinance amend the Highland Park City Code to give the mayor the power to issue a declaration of civil emergency.

Unless extended by the the City Council, the state of emergency expires after seven days or the next council meeting, according to the proposed ordinance. A mayor could also cancel it at any time.

The amendment's definition of what qualifies as a "civil emergency" specifically includes the "appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated infection agent or biological toxin."

After declaring a civil emergency, according to the proposal, the mayor "shall have the extraordinary power and authority to exercise by executive order all such powers of the corporate authorities and other officers of the City as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to eliminate or minimize the dangers arising from such civil emergency and for the protection of the health, safety and general welfare of the public."

Those powers include the ability to impose a curfew on some or all of the city, to close streets or businesses and to prohibit increases in the prices of goods and services within the city — along with any other actions reasonably necessary to address the situation.

The existing Highland Park City Code provides for an Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, or ESDA, under the control of the city manager, who appoints its coordinator. The code also authorized the coordinator to make any necessary purchases or enter into contracts in case of a nuclear attack, natural or other disaster.

According to the existing code, the ESDA is mandated to fully cooperate with state emergency management personnel when the governor issued a disaster proclamation. However, there was no opportunity for local authorities to declare their own state of emergency.

With the proposed amendments, the mayor, city manager and coordinator can also spend money or appropriate funds as necessary.

Additionally, the proposed ordinance also allows the mayor call in "regular and auxiliary law enforcement and organizations without or within [Highland Park] to assist in preserving and the peace."

The changes are authorized under Article 11, Division 1 Illinois Municipal Code, according to a memo from the city manager's office. The state law allows a town's governing body to grant extraordinary powers to a mayor during a state of emergency.

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All public and private schools in Illinois were ordered closed by Gov. JB Pritzker, as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the state rose by 14 to 42. The new cases include nine people in Chicago, four who live in suburban Cook County and one Lake County resident, the second to contract the virus. The closures are due to remain in place until March 30.

The Lake County Health Department also issued new guidance and recommendations for reducing the spread of the virus. All the measures are aimed at limiting the growth rate of the outbreak and preventing the healthcare system from reaching its capacity.

Friday, Highland Park officials announced all municipal buildings would be closed from Monday forward in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"These measures allow the City to focus resources on its most critical services, while allowing other services to function as needed," City Manager Ghida Neukirch said in a news release. "We appreciate our community's understanding and cooperation as we take these steps to ensure the safety of the public and staff."

Any essential administrative services will be offered in a limited capacity through the Highland Park Police Department, according to the release. That includes vital records, landscaping licensing permits, business inquiries, Senior Center counseling services and more. Only limited inspections will be performed and residents and businesses were encouraged to use online services as much as possible.

City staff said there would be no reduction or changes to refuse collection, water distribution or critical emergency services like 911. Those with questions for the city can leave a voicemail with the appropriate department at 847-432-0800 or email cityhp@cityhpil.com.

"These decisions are made with extreme care and consideration for the safety of our residents and employees. We recognize that every decision we make has an impact on residents' abilities to access administrative services at convenient locations," Rotering said. "After discussions with the City Manager and City Council, we feel that these actions are in the best interests of public health and well-being."

Related:
All Illinois Schools Closed Over Coronavirus
Deerfield, Highland Park Schools Close To Combat Coronavirus
Illinois Colleges Move Online, Extend Spring Break To Combat Coronavirus