These Were The Most-Read Highland Park Patch News Stories Of 2022

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — As 2022 comes to an end, we're looking back at some of the stories that captured readers' attention over the course of the year.

In Highland Park this year, a single story thrust the city into international headlines, as the city's first Independence Day parade in years became the site of the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in Illinois history.

The July 4 massacre added Highland Park to the grim and growing list of communities associated with mass shooting — communities like Parkland, Newtown, Sutherland Springs and Uvalde. In the wake of the shooting, community members came together at candlelight vigils, held moments of silence, were visited by the vice president and formed a new group to push for a ban on assault-style weapons like the one authorities say was used to fire more than 80 bullets into the crowd.

And while the effects of July 4, 2022, in Highland Park will reverberate for years to come, it was not the only local story making that made headlines this year.

Here are some of the year's most widely read news stories from the Highland Park Patch, in chronological order:

Vaccination Requirement At Highland Park Restaurants Extended
Highland Park began the year as the only place in Illinois without its own health department that requires restaurants to check for proof of vaccination.
More: Highland Park Vaccine Proof Order Expires

Highland Park Man, Family Help Ukrainian Refugees At Polish Border
Mike Foley brought pounds of candy, welcomed by children — but not so much by their mothers. The next day, he showed up with healthy snacks.

Patch Report Prompts Congressman To Remedy Property Tax 'Error'
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider paid back property taxes in March after the discovery he had benefited from homestead exemptions on two houses at once.
More: Schneider Faces Challenge Over Highland Park Residency

Local Congressman's Ex-Staffer Admits To Embezzling Taxpayer Money
The former operations director of Schneider's congressional office, Sterling Carter, pleaded guilty to theft of taxpayer funds Thursday.

Teacher Backlash Follows D-113 Working Conditions, Schedule Proposal
Deerfield and Highland Park high school teachers have refused to negotiate over the proposed changes, District 113 officials said.
More: New Schedule Could Weaken HPHS Fine Arts Program, District Warned

Highland Park 4th Of July Parade Mass Shooting: 7 Dead, Suspect Arrested
More than 50 people were shot, seven fatally, when a gunman opened fire at paradegoers from a roof of a building at 2nd Street and Central Avenue.
More:
Parade Shooter Considered Targeting Wisconsin Event, Police Say
Highland Park Shooting Defendant's Dad Doesn't Regret Sponsoring FOID
Bobby Crimo Pleads Not Guilty To 117 Counts In Highland Park Shooting

Highland Park Shooting Survivor Cooper Roberts Returns Home From Rehab
The 8-year-old boy who was paralyzed in the July 4 mass shooting has been reunited with his family at his Highland Park home.

Parade Shooting Survivors Sue Smith & Wesson, Gun Shops, Crimos
Victims and their families filed suit in Lake County Court against the gunmaker, a pair of gun stores, the accused shooter and his father.

Son Stabbed Parents To Death In Highland Park Apartment, Prosecutors Say
Barry Goldberg, 45, is accused of fatally stabbing Ronald Goldberg, 79, and Renee Goldberg, 74, in the Highland Park apartment they shared.

Arson Charge Lands Nicholas Caban Back In Lake County Jail
The Highland Park man had been charged over a gun found during the investigation into the death of Matthew Ascaridis at Fort Sheridan Beach.
More:
Man, 20, Involved In Fatal Fort Sheridan Beach Fight Faces Firearm Charge
18-Year-Old Charged With Obstructing Justice In Fort Sheridan Death
Fort Sheridan Homicide Victim Beat Man, 18, With Flashlight: Attorney

Lake County State's Attorney Responds To SAFE-T Act 'Disinformation'
Eric Rinehart, one of two county prosecutors publicly backing the bill, said "violent offenders" may still be held while awaiting trial.

Assault Weapons Ban, No FOID Under 21 In Highwood Democrat's Proposal
Under the proposed "Protecting Illinois Communities Act," no one under 21 can get a gun license unless they're in the military.

Bob Crimo, Father Of Accused Highland Park Mass Shooter, Faces Charges
Prosecutors charged Bob Crimo with seven counts of reckless conduct — one for each of the paradegoers his son is accused of killing.

More Highland Park Patch coverage of the July 4 parade shooting »