Developments In, School Administrators Out: Highland Park In 2018

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — As we approach the end of an eventful year, it's time to take a look back at some of the most memorable stories of 2018 on Chicago's North Shore. The most-read stories of the year have included coverage of local schools, government, law and businesses.

Take a look back at some of people and events that made news in the biggest local stories of the year from Highland Park Patch:

NSSD-112 Board Approves $75 Million Middle School Renovation Plan

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — North Shore School District 112 board members Tuesday approved a plan to spend up to $75 million on improvements to its two middle schools through the use of alternate revenue... Read more

City Council Closing On Sale Of Highland Park Country Club

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — To clear the path for the conversion of the Highland Park Country Club to a nature park, the City Council Tuesday gave final approval to four new intergovernmental agreements with... Read more

Highland Park City Council Adopts 2019 Budget With Tax Hike

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The City Council Monday adopted a $79.7 million budget for its 2019 fiscal year. The budget anticipates an increase of more than 6 percent to the city's property tax levy, which... Read more

Middle School Principal Resigned In Wake Of #MeToo Investigation

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — A Highland Park middle school administrator was placed on leave after he was accused of sexually harassing subordinates, bullying, intimidation, sexism, enlisting staffers to conduct... Read more
MORE: Controversial Principal Banned From Contact With Staff: Lawyer, Board Rescinds Job Offer To Highland Park Principal

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District 113 Pays $300K To Make Superintendent Go Away

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Township High School District 113 is headed for its fifth superintendent in five years, as board members approved a $300,000 payment to Christopher Dignam as part of a negotiated... Read more
LATER: D-113 Board Considers How To Fill Vacant Seat, Superintendent Job, Retired Superintendents, Board Member Named To Lead District 113

Highland Park High School Students Organize Daylong Walkout

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — More than two dozen Highland Park High School students walked out of class Friday morning, inspired by a school shooting in Florida just over two months ago to commemorate the... Read more

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More Than 500 Housing Units Proposed For Former Solo Cup Site

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — A developer presented preliminary plans for more than 500 units of housing on the site of the former Solo Cup facility to the Highland Park Plan and Design Commission Tuesday.... Read more

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Plan Commission Recommends Albion Development Despite Complaints

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The Plan and Design Commission Tuesday approved plans for Albion at Highland Park, a proposed five-story, 171-unit residential development bordering Sunset Woods Park. Commissioners... Read more

AFTER: Highland Park Gets Bid To Build 171 Units At Karger Center, Luxury Rental Development Plans For Karger Center Revealed

Ravinia Festival Blocks Brewpub From Opening Over Trademark Claim

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — A demand for royalties from the Ravinia Festival halted preparations to open a brewpub in Highland Park's Ravinia district in the coming months. The outdoor music festival sent... Read more

THEN: Ravinia Festival, Brewing Company Return To Negotiating Table, Music Festival, Brewing Company Trade Public Statements, Grand Opening Of Ravinia Brewing Company's Highland Park Taproom

Highland Park Theater Redevelopment Gets Final Council Approval

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The Highland Park City Council gave the go-ahead to final plans to build a two-story mixed use commercial building on the site of the Highland Park Theater and the neighboring... Read more

Highland Park City Council Approves Assisted Living Facility

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The City Council unanimously voted to grant permission to a developer to build a new assisted living facility on the 900 block of Central Avenue... Read more

Craft Vodka Distillery Planned In Highwood

HIGHWOOD, IL — Plans are brewing for a new craft distillery on the North Shore. A group of investors, including a Highwood alderman and his brother, hope to open up 28 Mile Vodka Company at 450-454... Read more

Senate Democrats Killed Bump Stock Ban, Claims Rep. Scott Drury

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — State Rep. Scott Drury (D-Highwood) alleged that Senate Democrats, including his own state senator, effectively killed a ban on so-called bump stocks on the same day high school... Read more

Body Of Missing Kayaker Found In Fort Sheridan

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The body of a 20-year-old Glenview man was found on the shores of Lake Michigan, nearly two weeks after he and a friend took off in kayaks from Highland Park, authorities said.... Read more
AFTER: Search For Missing Kayaker Continues Along North Shore, Missing Kayaker's Family Asks Public To Assist With Search

2 Dead In Huge Highland Park House Fire: Coroner

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Two people were killed in a fire in Highland Park Wednesday morning. The fire was first reported by a neighbor around 1:15 a.m. at a two-story home in the 2000 block of Kipling... Read more
LATER: 1st Of 2 Highland Park House Fire Victims Identified

Highland Park Man Who Stabbed Woman Charged: Police

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — A Highland Park man who allegedly stabbed a woman multiple times at a home they shared was delayed from fleeing the scene by kids, police said. Emergency personnel got a call around... Read more

54 Years In Prison For Man Convicted Of 2013 Highland Park Murder

WAUKEGAN, IL — The first person to be sentenced in the 2013 murder of 20-year-old Colin Nutter was sentenced to 54 years in prison Friday. Philip Vatamaniuc, now 22, was convicted of first degree... Read more

Convicted Ex-Deputy Chief Battles For Back Pay From Ex-Department

HIGHWOOD, IL — The former deputy chief of the Highwood Fire Department wants his old job back – with back pay – even though it no longer exists. The Highwood Board of Fire and Police Commissioners... Read more