Fourth of July parades, festivities in Chicago suburbs canceled after Highland Park mass shooting
Fireworks are set off near Navy Pier as Chicago held an early Fourth of July celebration Saturday.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere / Sun-Times
Suburban municipalities canceled Independence Day celebrations in the wake of a mass shooting Monday morning at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade.
In nearby Deerfield, officials canceled Family Day activities that had been planned at Jewett Park.
The Morton Grove police department tweeted that the village was canceling its parade “out of an abundance of caution.”
In Evanston, the Fourth of July parade and celebrations were also canceled because of the shooting in Highland Park. Evanston also closed its beaches Monday because of safety concerns.
“While there is no known threat to Evanston residents, the shooter is still at large; therefore, cancellations are taking place in an abundance of caution,” the city said in a news release.
In Glencoe, village officials encouraged people to stay home shortly after it canceled its Fourth of July Parade.
In Skokie, officials canceled the Fourth of July parade.
Winnetka canceled its fireworks show.
About noon, Northbrook canceled the remaining Fourth of July activities, including a firework show.
Waukegan canceled its fireworks show Monday afternoon, according to a tweet sent by the city’s official account. “We stand in solidarity with our neighbors in Highland Park.”
Glenview canceled both its parade and fireworks show “out of an abundance of caution,” assuring residents that there was “no direct threat.”
Lake Forest not only canceled its fireworks show and the Annual Lake Forest Festival, but it also closed Forest Park Beach for the remainder of the day, the city website said.
Lincolnshire’s July 4 Red, White, & BOOM! Fireworks, Parade, and Cardboard Boat Regatta were also canceled with no plans to be rescheduled, the village’s website said.
The Village of Vernon Hills canceled the concert and fireworks at Century Park.
In Northfield, the city issued an emergency alert on its website, announcing it had canceled the remaining holiday events and that “officers will be maintaining an increased presence throughout the Village.”
Elvia Malagón’s reporting on social justice and income inequality is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust.