In order to share grant funding, a partnership between the service agencies assisting the victims of the July 4 parade shooting has been formalized by the Highland Park City Council.
The interagency agreement was suggested to the city by the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime unit, as a way to facilitate resource sharing, while the city pursues an Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP) grant.
The agencies involved in the agreement include Lake County agencies such as the Health Department and State’s Attorney’s Office, the Park District of Highland Park, the public library system, Moraine Township, North Shore School District, Township High School District, United Way of Lake County, The Josselyn Center, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic and the Highland Park Community Foundation.
Highland Park City Manager Ghida Neukirch said if the city receives the AEAP grant, which she expects to hear about in the next three months, it would provide funding for the services that have increased in need since the mass shooting in Highland Park on July 4, 2022 that left seven people dead and dozens injured.
Services include immigration support for victims, crisis counseling and providing trauma-informed information about the alleged shooter’s ongoing trial.
Neurkirch said the demand for these services has “absolutely increased” since the parade shooting.
After traumatic events, according to experts, communities may experience an increase in domestic violence, suicide, alcohol and drug use, Neukirch said.
“What we want to do is just make sure that our residents and anyone who was impacted by this tragedy has support for them and their family,” she said. “We also want to try to prevent emergencies from taking place.”
Since the mass tragedy, the city has hired a resiliency manager and victim specialist to support counseling, programming for victims and assisting in memorial planning.
To get the resources in the hands who need it, Highland Park will hold a resource fair for the community at the end of January with various public agencies and nonprofits.