General
Regular MeetingHighland Park, IL · May 7, 2026
Minutes
1 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
2 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
3 OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS
4
5
6 MEETING DATE: Thursday, May 7, 2026
7
8 MEETING LOCATION: Ward Willits House, 1445 Sheridan Road, Highland Park IL
9
10 CALL TO ORDER
11 The meeting began at 6:30 pm. This Commission meeting takes place off-site at 1445 Sheridan Road.
12
13 ROLL CALL
14 Commissioners Present: Chairperson Weeder; Commissioners Ehrlich, Gonka, Hartinger, Pines, & Portman
15
16 Councilmember Present: Blumberg, Ross, Mayor Rotering
17
18 Student Council Absent: Cooper Baum & Gabi Goldstein
19
20 Student Council Present: None
21
22 Staff declared that a quorum was present.
23
24 Staff Present: Planner Markle, Senior Planner Coleman, and City Manager Neukirch
25
26 Guests Present: Thomas Hiller, Peijian Sun, Cedar Roofing Company, Northshore School District
27 112, and Mary Seyfarth.
28
29 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
30 There was no approval of minutes.
31
32 SCHEDULED BUSINESS
33 Staff presented the winners of the 2026 Historic Preservation Awards.
34
35 Winners Thomas Hiller and representatives of North Shore School District 112 spoke about their
36 preservation projects.
37
38 Resident Mary Seyfarth spoke about the Rocky the Raccoon Weathervane and the relocation of “The Flight
39 of Time” clock.
40
41 DISCUSSION ITEMS
42 There were no discussion items.
43
44 BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
45 There was no Business from the Public.
46
47 OTHER BUSINESS
48 There was no Other Business
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
April 15, 2026 - Page 1
1
2 STAFF REPORT
3 There was no Staff Report.
4
5 ADJOURNMENT
6 Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
7
8 Respectfully Submitted,
9
10 Maddy Markle
11 Commission Secretary
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
April 15, 2026 - Page 2
Agenda
Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
1445 Sheridan Road
May 7, 2026
6:30 PM
Agenda
PUBLIC NOTICE
In accordance with the Statutes of the State of Illinois and the Ordinances of the City of
Highland Park, the next Special meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of
Highland Park is scheduled to be held at the hour of 6:30 PM on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at The
Ward Willits House - 1445 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, Illinois, during which meeting it is
anticipated that there will be a discussion of the following items.
The Historic Preservation Commission, on behalf of the City, has elected to conduct the
meeting entirely in-person, and without opportunity for virtual viewing or participation.
Please contact the Department of Community Development – Planning Division at (847)
432-0867 for up-to-date information on the conduct of the meeting.
Individuals with questions or feedback about an agenda item may email the Staff Liaison Maddy
Markle. Comments and emails received prior to the Thursday before the scheduled meeting will
be included in the meeting packet. Public comments received by 4:30 PM the day of the meeting
will be read under Business from the Public. Any comments received during the meeting will be
held until the end of the meeting. Individuals who wish to have their comments read into the
public record are limited to 200 words or less. Public comments should be emailed and contain
the following information:
• In the subject line, identify, “HPC (Date of Meeting)”
• Name
• Address (optional)
• City
• Phone (optional)
• Organization, agency representing, if applicable
• Topic or agenda item number of interest
All emails received will be acknowledged. Individuals with no access to email may leave a voice
message with Maddy Markle at 847.926.1856.
The City, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requests that persons with
disabilities who require certain accommodations to allow them to observe and/or participate in
this hearing, or who have questions about the accessibility of the meeting facilities, email the
City’s ADA coordinator Emily Taub or call at 847.926.1005.
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of Minutes
IV. Scheduled Business
A. 2026 Preservation Awards Ceremony
V. Discussion Items
VI. Business from the Public (Individuals wishing to be heard regarding items not listed
on this agenda)
VII. Other Business
VIII. Staff Report
IX. Adjournment