The Highland Park City Council has unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement to use state funds for constructing a new sidewalk along a half-mile stretch of Sheridan Road near Rosewood Beach. The project, first presented to the council in 2016, aims to address long-standing safety concerns and is now scheduled to begin in 2026. The sidewalk will run on the east side of Sheridan Road from Roger Williams Avenue to the intersection of Cedar and Dean avenues. Councilmember Yumi Ross emphasized the importance of safety, noting residents’ concerns about the dangers of crossing Sheridan Road to access the beach.
Although part of Sheridan Road lies within Highland Park, the road is partially owned and maintained by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The sidewalk project will be coordinated with IDOT’s planned replacement of two culverts near Lakewood Place and Rosewood Beach, ensuring minimal disruption during construction. However, environmental concerns have arisen, as the project is expected to require the removal of approximately 60 trees between October 2025 and April 2026.
Residents have been involved in multiple discussions over the years, with at least five small group meetings held between 2016 and 2025. Local resident Danny Cahn, whose family has long advocated for sidewalks on Sheridan Road, expressed concern about preserving the area’s natural beauty and minimizing tree removal. Earlier versions of the project proposed cutting down as many as 190 trees, but adjustments to the sidewalk’s width have reduced the impact. Cahn stressed the need for additional information from the city to ensure trees are not unnecessarily removed.
City Manager Ghida Neukirch noted that numerous meetings have taken place to address resident concerns, and the city would need IDOT permits to implement design variances that might protect more trees. The city also plans to invest approximately $500,000 in Jens Jensen-inspired landscaping work along the corridor in 2027, a cost not covered by the state.
The sidewalk construction will be funded primarily through state grants totaling around $2.3 million, including $1.65 million from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and $659,800 from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement program. Highland Park will contribute $5,750 of its own funds for tree removal as part of the required 20% match for the state enhancement funds.
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