(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF), which was established in the wake of the city’s Fourth of July shooting, announced a committee that will oversee the distribution of funds to survivors and local organizations Wednesday.
The committee — called Together Highland Park Unidos — will comprise nine community members, including representatives of the Highland Park City Council, school board, and hospital.
Funds came from donations sent to the Highland Park Shooting Response Fund, and the HPCF said none of the money will be used for administration, thanks to pro-bono legal work and assistance from similar funds.
Together Highland Park Unidos said it plans to meet with the victims and their families before issuing claim forms, which must be submitted by Sept. 7.
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HPCF Executive Director Terry Olian said this is one of many steps in a long process of moving forward together, and they are committed to giving the donations primarily to victims and their families, as well as the nonprofits helping them following the shooting.
“We appreciate the Highland Park Community Foundation’s partnership to accept donations intended to help victims of the mass shooting,” said Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering. “We know they will distribute the funds in a fair, transparent, and straightforward process that will focus on helping victims, their families, and our community.”
In a press release, the HPCF said it plans to publish a draft of its process for allocating funds. The guide will be released in English and Spanish.
By mid-August, the HPCF plans to publish a final version of that process, which will incorporate feedback from the victims, their families, and the public.
As stated above, the deadline to submit claims is Sept. 7. The HPCF said it plans to distribute funds in October.
Also on Wednesday: A grand jury in Lake County handed up indictments on 117 criminal counts against the suspect in the deadly shooting.
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