2023's Most-Read Stories On Highland Park Patch

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Another year is nearly in the books. As we round out the final week of 2023 and prepare to ring in the start of 2024, which promises to bring an extra day in February and a total solar eclipse across North America in March.

Among the year's top local stories were the assault weapons ban enacted in response to last year's parade shooting and upheld by state and federal courts, security debates and administrative changes at local high schools, the death of a school board member in a hit-and-run, the reopening of the a lakeshore preserve and the continuing reverberations of the shooting in the community.

Below find more than a dozen of the most-read stories that appeared on the Highland Park Patch over the course of the past 12 months, presented in chronological order.

Illinois Assault Weapons Ban Passes House, Signed By Governor

Just over 6 months after the Highland Park mass shooting, Illinois becomes the 9th state in the nation to ban assault-style guns.

Later: Assault Weapons Ban Upheld By Illinois Supreme Court In 4-3 Decision and U.S. Supreme Court Leaves Illinois Assault Weapons Ban In Place

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After Student Brings Gun To HPHS, D113 School Board Discusses Security

Despite urging from parents, District 113 board members showed little interest in employing metal detectors at Highland Park High School.

Teacher Files Amended Suit Against District 113 Board, HPHS Principal

Amy Burnetti says she was demoted for reporting misconduct — like destroying records and allowing a child sex offender on campus illegally.

Hit-And-Run Driver Fatally Strikes School Board Member Riding Bike

Deerfield School District 109 board member Maureen Wener died after she was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Highland Park, officials said.

Later: Driver Suspected Of Killing Cyclist In Highland Park Hit-And-Run Sued; and Hit-And-Run Charge Filed In Death Of Cyclist In Highland Park

Openlands To Gift Lakeshore Preserve To Lake County Forest Preserves

The nonprofit will also establish a $1.29 million endowment for the continued conservation and restoration efforts of the 77-acre site.

Later: No 'Unacceptable Risk' To Users Of Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, Navy Says; Bomb Squad Destroys Suspected Military Ordnance At Openlands Lakeshore

Highland Park Reclaims July 4 Parade Route A Year After Mass Shooting

Thousands of community members walked along the Independence Day parade's path following a remembrance ceremony at City Hall.

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Billy Corgan Highland Park Wrestling Event To Benefit Cooper Roberts

The National Wrestling Alliance's free "HP Cares for Cooper" event was held at the Recreation Center of Highland Park.

Judge Rejects Gunmaker's Attempt To Remove Highland Park Shooting Suit

Smith & Wesson tried and failed to keep a lawsuit that alleges it responsible for the July 4, 2022, mass shooting out of Lake County court.

3 Threats In 4 School Days At Red Oak School After 'Libs Of TikTok' Post

Unlike the first two, the third emailed threat did not prompt an evacuation of the building after it was received on the morning of Sept. 26.

After 'Unimaginable' Years, District 113 Hunts For Superintendent, Principal

The District 113 board is paying consultants at least $40,500 to find successors for Superintendent Bruce Law and HPHS Principal Debby Finn.

Accused Highland Park Parade Shooter Bobby Crimo To Represent Himself

Accused of shooting more than 50 paradegoers from a Highland Park rooftop last year, he invoked his constitutional right to a speedy trial.

After: FBI Investigated Bobby Crimo Over Weapons Of Mass Destruction Plot and Bobby Crimo Claims Highland Park Parade Shooting Was FBI 'False Flag'

Bob Crimo, Accused Highland Park Shooter's Dad, Declares Bankruptcy

Last week, lenders asked a judge to allow them to repossess and sell the alleged mass shooter's foreclosed childhood home.

After: Guilty Plea From Dad Of Accused Highland Park Parade Mass Shooter and Bob Crimo Released After 28 Days Of Good Behavior In Lake County Jail

Read More Of Patch's Most-Read 2023 Stories From Lake Forest, Winnetka-Glencoe