Labrador Makes Leap From Foundation To Park District Commissioner In Highland Park

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Rafael Labrador, president of the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, was appointed to the Park District’s Board of Commissioners last month, filling the seat left vacated by the resignation of longtime commissioner Brian Kaplan earlier this year.

Labrador’s appointment was make official during the Park District’s Aug. 21 board meeting, after which he is due to serve until May 2025. He will have the option to run for a two-year or six-year term in the April 2025 election.

“I fell in love with the parks and recreation opportunities here in Highland Park,” Labrador said in a statement, “and I appreciate the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and culture in our North Shore communities.”

Labrador, a Highland Park resident for the past eight years, has an extensive background in biotech marketing and has been working with AbbVie in the field of cancer therapeutics over the past decade.

“Rafael has been an important and engaged member of the community and the Park District for many years,” said board president Cal Bernstein. “We are thrilled that he has accepted the additional responsibilities that come with being a Park Commissioner, and we look forward to benefiting from his knowledge and expertise.”

Since 2021, Labrador has led the Parks Foundation, which has raised more than $100,000 for recreational scholarships supporting families in Highland Park and Highwood. Under his leadership, the nonprofit foundation has also brought in close to $1 million in donations to help cover the cost of district projects.

“I am proud to have been a part of the Foundation which contributed financial resources to the long-awaited Park Avenue Breakwater and Boat Ramp renovations, building Jeff Fox Field, and installing the beautiful Sunset Wood Park rocket ship playground seating plaza,” Labrador said, “and we’re all excited about the new indoor state of the art pickleball and padel facility which is scheduled to open in early 2025.”

In addition to his role with the Parks Foundation, Labrador served on the Park District’s Efficiency Committee last year, where he reviewed the district’s statutes, ordinances, and relationships with other government entities. His work helped prepare a report for the Lake County Board as part of the Illinois Decennial Committees on Local Efficiency Act.

“It’s truly an honor to have been asked to serve as a Commissioner,” Labrador said. “The staff at this Park District works hard to bring exceptional programs, camps, and facilities to people every day, and I intend to work just as hard to support them and provide even more fun, healthy recreational activities to the community I love.”