Top Highland Park Stories of 2016

HIGHLAND PARK, IL - 2016 will go down as one of the newsiest years of the early 21st century, both nationally and right here in Highland Park. A mayor’s congressional bid, school referendum failure and the sale of an iconic local building lead the list of most talked about Highland Park Patch stories of 2016.

Take a look at what turned the most heads locally in 2016.

Mayor Nancy Rotering is Unsuccessful in Bid for 10th District Congressional Seat: The Highland Park Mayor gave Brad Schneider a good run in the Democratic primary, but it was Schneider pulling out the win and eventually unseating Bob Dold to reclaim his status as a sitting U.S. congressman.

School Referendum Soundly Defeated: Voters in the North Shore School District 112 area overwhelmingly voted down a $198 million bond issue that would have called for the construction of a large middle school that would serve the entire district.
Related: BDR3 Delayed: Board’s Plan to Close Schools and Layoff Teachers Pushed Back Following Superintendent’s Resignation

Shooting in Highland Park Wounds High School Student: The community was on edge in November when a student at Highland Park High School was wounded in a rare shooting in the city. Eventually, six people were charged in connection with the incident.

Gender-Neutral Restroom Signage Coming to Highland Park: The city becomes among the first in the nation to adopt gender-neutral restroom signage at city buildings.

City Council Member Paul Frank Elected to Lake County Board: A special election in April has been called to replace Paul Frank on the Highland Park City Council. Frank resigned in November after he was elected to the Lake County Board.

Hoverboard Explosion Damages Highland Park Home: No one was injured, but a Highland Park home was severely damaged and its occupants rattled when a hoverboard caused an explosion that was caught on video in February.

Highland Park Theater Sold: One of the North Shore’s favorite entertainment venues will soon serve a different purpose after the Central Avenue structure was sold in November.

D112 Superintendent Goes Hollywood: Dr. Michael Bregy accepted a position in Southern California, where he will oversee a school district that is the alma mater of a host of alumni including Betty White, Lenny Kravitz and Carrie Fisher.

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