Highland Park parade shooting: City council discusses plans for permanent memorial honoring victims

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- Highland Park City Council members were deep in discussion on Monday night.

It is part of the early stages of what the city hopes will be a place remembrance and respite for the community.

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The lead sponsor of the assault weapons bill, State Sen. Bob Morgan, spoke during the city council meeting. That legislation was created in response to the 4th of July parade shooting, which took the lives of seven people and injured dozens.

The Highland Park City Council also discussed the plan for permanent memorial to honor the victims and survivors of that tragedy.

Mayor Nancy Rotering got emotional when talking about what will be a multi-year process.

"As we continue to walk through the process of grief and remembrance, we take another step together tonight as we begin discussing a permanent memorial," Rotering said. "While absolutely nothing can replace a life, a permanent memorial can provide a place of remembrance ,reflection and hopefully, respite."

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City officials said no decisions will be made Monday night on design or location. City officials said they are taking this step by step, out of respect of the families impacted and a community still healing.

Rotering said decisions about the memorial will include feedback from the families of the victims, survivors and the public.

The city said it will maintain the temporary memorial place at the Rose Garden near City Hall until a permanent one is established.