The Partner | July 2022

Written By Lake County Sheriff

A Message from Sheriff John D. Idleburg

“I felt it important to wait a few days to make any public comments about the horrific tragedy that took place in Highland Park on Independence Day.


My heart, along with the hearts of all my staff, aches for the victims, their families, and the entire Highland Park community. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain you are feeling. Please know, not only do you have the support of the entire sheriff’s office, you have the support of the entire nation. We are here for you and we will do everything we can to support you during these most difficult of times. No community deserves to be terrorized as you were. No community deserves to have dozens, including children to adults of all ages, gunned down as they innocently watched a parade.


I happened to be a participant of the Highland Park Independence Day celebration, and when the shooting started, I saw police officers, firefighters, paramedics run toward the gunshots, and we were incredibly fortunate that day to have such professional heroes by our side. I saw everyday members of the community jump into action and aid the wounded. We have an amazing medical community of individuals who bravely hurried toward the wounded and rushed to medical facilities for further assistance. Without the help from our medical professionals, the outcome may have been much worse. Words cannot even begin to describe all the heroic actions taken place on July 4th as well as the days that came and continue to come afterward.


From our 911 dispatchers who took frantic 911 calls, remained calm while dispatching information, to our dozens of sheriff’s deputies who responded to assist and the over one-hundred other police officers/first-responders who responded to the scene – the words ‘thank you’ don’t even begin to describe how grateful our community is for you. The entire community is grateful for you being there to immediately jump into action for our fellow community members.


To the hard work of all of those who are investigating this tragedy and those who feverishly worked to apprehend the cowardly offender – THANK YOU. You apprehended an incredibly dangerous person in record time. It is my hope this man never sees the outside of a prison cell for the rest of his life.


As a society, so many have become numb to mass shootings as we read about them nearly every day. Then, on Independence Day, when our families, our children, our friends, were gathered along parade routes to celebrate this nation’s independence a calculated coward unleashed unprecedented terror on our community with a weapon of war. I truly hope this is the last mass shooting we live through before assault-style rifles are banned. Assault-style rifles are nothing more than killing machines, and they have no place in a civilized society. It is time action is taken. While the intent of my message is not meant to be political, I feel the most significant action that can be taken to minimize and prevent further carnage is by enacting a full ban on assault-style rifles.


To the City of Highland Park and all of those impacted by this senseless terror – we will be with you as you heal. We are with you forever. You are Highland Park Strong.”

Resources for Highland Park

  1. The Family Assistance Center at Highland Park High School

    • Victims and any community members affected by the tragedy can speak to a mental health professional and pick up any belongings that may have been left along the parade route.

    • Victims are not just those physically injured by yesterday’s events, but also those experiencing emotional distress.

    • English and Spanish bilingual services available

    • Organized by FBI and American Red Cross

    • Highland Park High School (433 Vine Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035)

    • Hours of Operation: As Needed

  2. VictimConnect

    • VictimConnect is an OVC-funded service that offers confidential assistance to victims of crime. Trained specialists are available to help you locate services in your area, including mental health counseling, legal services, and more. Contact VictimConnect from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time at: 
      - Phone: 855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846) 
      - Chat: https://chat.victimsofcrime.org/victim-connect 

    • Dial 711 and VictimConnect staff can provide services through an interpreter in more than 200 languages, and to hearing- and speech-impaired individuals. 

  3. Disaster Distress Helpline

    • The Disaster Distress Helpline, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is a national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. 

    • This 24/7 toll-free, multilingual crisis support service is available to residents in the United States and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters, including incidents of mass violence.  

    • Call or text the hotline at 800-985-5990. 

  4. Mental Health Resources

    • Lake County Crisis Line -

      • Call 847-377-8088 for resources or support if someone close to you is experiencing a crisis.

    • Lake County Text a Tip Line -

      • Consider sharing a text with Text a Tip as a resource for students or residents when an adult or counselor is not available. The counselors are in Lake Bluff and they know what has been going on. The details below. You can also share on CTAD's Facebook and Twitter. They will be posting frequently over the next week.

  5. Family Service of Lake County

    • Expanded Hours: They are open 9am – 7pm for counseling sessions for any member of the community who needs professional assistance

    • Leadership on trauma conversations: They provided guidance to city leadership on a critical conversation with city staff and stakeholders debriefing the tragedy. They will be leading a few debriefs with city staff and stakeholders later this week

    • Free Counseling: They will be offering free 20-30 minute sessions at no charge for those in the community with a need for professional assistance

    • If you or a loved one are in crisis, please reach out to the Lake County crisis hotline at 847-377-8088.

  6. NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) Lake County

  7. Resources to Help Families/ Community Members Coping After a Mass Shooting

  8. Donation Opportunities

You can help inform and engage the community about this work by forwarding this newsletter to three friends and encouraging them to sign up here.

The Safety and Justice Challenge strategies at Lake County, IL are proudly led and supported by:

  • Lake County Sheriff's Office

  • Lake County State's Attorney Office

  • 19th Judicial Circuit Court

  • Lake County Public Defender's Office

  • Nicasa Behavioral Health Services

This project was created with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge, which seeks to reduce over-incarceration by changing the way America thinks about and uses jails.

Lake County Sheriff
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The Partner | June 2022