Annette Lidawer For Mayor of Highland Park

10/05/2026

I’m starting Tuesday morning coffees, and I’d love for you to join me.

Beginning this Tuesday, I’ll be at a different Highland Park coffee shop each week from 9:00am-10:30am, available to answer questions, talk about my platform, hear what’s on your mind, or simply catch up over coffee.

I’ll be starting this week at Astra on Roger Williams in Ravinia, and over the coming weeks I’ll be visiting shops throughout all of Highland Park’s neighborhoods.

You can find each week’s location on my website, www.annetteformayor.com. No appointment needed, just stop by. I’m looking forward to the conversations!

10/02/2026

Another new business is officially open on Central Avenue!

I was glad to join the Highland Park Illinois Chamber of Commerce for the ribbon cutting at Dynasty Coins, Jewelry, & Collectibles and welcome their team to downtown Highland Park. Dynasty buys and sells rare coins, jewelry, and collectibles and has a proven online presence: it’s exciting to see a distinctive new business fill such a visible downtown space.

Congratulations to everyone at Dynasty on this new chapter. I hope Highland Park residents will stop in, take a look around, and give them a warm welcome.

10/01/2026

Sharing today’s Chicago Tribune Pioneer Press coverage of Highland Park’s upcoming term limits referendum.

This November, voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on term limits for the offices of mayor and city council. I’m glad to see this conversation getting attention and to see residents learning more about what term limits would mean for Highland Park’s future leadership.

Read the full article below.

The referendum as written would limit the terms of the offices of mayor and council members to two cumulative four-year terms.

09/25/2026

A beautiful day for a little shopping downtown!

Truli Juli hosted a pop-up inside Sprout Kids featuring personalized kids’ items, with free ice cream outside and plenty of colorful finds inside. The block was busy all afternoon with families, friends, and lots of smaller shoppers making the rounds.

It was great to see so much activity along this stretch of downtown Highland Park.

09/23/2026

Hate has no home in Highland Park.

I was deeply saddened and pained to learn that a sw****ka was placed on a playground slide in our city. This is more than vandalism. The sw****ka is a symbol of hatred, terror and the murder of millions of Jews—including members of my own family.

Hate has no home here, and we must name this act immediately and clearly: it was antisemitism. We will not allow hatred against Jews—or hatred directed at anyone because of their faith, identity or background—to take hold in our community.

That belief guided my work last year to bring the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism before the City Council. I was grateful that my Council colleagues unanimously supported its adoption. This ordinance gives Highland Park leverage to go beyond recognizing and understanding antisemitism. It enables us to confront such acts of hatred.

The City of Highland Park, Illinois - Government acted quickly, as has our police. I appreciate the Park District’s prompt removal of the symbol and the coordinated response by the Park District of Highland Park and Highland Park Police Department. Protecting our parks, houses of worship and other community spaces must remain a priority as the investigation continues.

I stand with our Jewish community and everyone targeted because of who they are.

Highland Park’s strength is found in neighbors who stand together against hate and for one another. Every person should feel safe, respected and welcome here.

09/22/2026

After many meetings in HP today, a wonderful opening night for Highwood Design Week at Old Plank Antiques!

Highwood has so much creativity happening something HPers share as a value and need even more of!

Design Week is a great opportunity to experience the art, interiors, craftsmanship, architecture, and local businesses that are helping shape the community in new ways.

It was such a fun evening connecting with HPers and people from across the North Shore, including Mike Stark, publisher of Highland Park Neighbors Magazine, and Highwood Mayor Charlie Pecaro.

09/17/2026

A very proud moment for Highland Park.

SaLT: Service and Learning Together was honored with the 2026 Governor’s Cup through the Illinois Governor’s Hometown Awards, marking the first time Highland Park has received this recognition.

SaLT is 100% volunteer-run, student-driven, and adult-supported, and the impact they’ve made is remarkable. In 2025, more than 7,300 volunteers served over 3,100 people across 830 families through Shop N’ Drop, while other programs supported students, first responders, families in crisis, and children through Make-A-Wish.

Congratulations to Brad Swanson, Ida Fiore, the students who represented Highland Park in Springfield, and the many volunteers who make SaLT’s work possible. This recognition says so much about what can happen when people come together around service, compassion, and a real commitment to helping others.

09/11/2026

The Highland Park Chamber’s First Wednesday Connections was a great way to kick off September!

There was a strong turnout as we welcomed several new members and enjoyed some terrific rosés at Lynfred Winery. On a hot late-summer afternoon, it was the perfect setting to catch up with many of the businesses that help shape Highland Park’s local economy, and meet some of the newest members of the Chamber.

It's always nice to see our business community coming together like this. I really value the role the Chamber plays in Highland Park. Strong local businesses need more than customers. They need connections, support, advocacy, and opportunities to learn from one another. The Chamber helps create that network, and I believe staying connected to our business community is an important part of understanding what they need to succeed.

09/10/2026

Happy holiday to those who celebrate. May it be joyous, fulfilling and peaceful for all, chag sameach!

09/09/2026

It was great to join Councilmember Jon Center and Julia Klairmont, The Wolbright’s operations and leasing team, and new residents for the ribbon cutting at The Wolbright Residences on Walnut Street.

I’ve watched this project take shape, so it was especially nice to celebrate its completion and everyone who helped it get there. Adding new housing in the heart of downtown means more people within walking distance of our businesses, restaurants, parks, and train station. This is exactly the kind of activity that can help keep downtown vibrant throughout the weeks.

Congratulations to Julia and the entire team behind the Wolbright!