Aaron Masliansky sits down with Mayor Nancy Rotering of Highland Park at City Hall for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, housing, placemaking, and the future of one of Chicagoland’s most distinctive communities.

Mayor Rotering, now serving her fourth term, shares the story of how a neighborhood stop sign issue first brought her into public service, and how that journey eventually led to City Hall.

In this episode, we discuss:

How a neighborhood safety issue launched Nancy Rotering’s public service journey
What makes Highland Park unique, from Downtown to Ravinia, Braeside, and the lakefront
Why events like Ravinia Festival and Taste of Highland Park play such an important role in community identity and economic vitality
How Highland Park manages traffic, transit, and visitor experience during major events
Highland Park’s long-standing commitment to inclusionary and affordable housing since 1968
The redevelopment of the former Solo Cup site and what it means for housing supply and the city’s future
Housing for seniors, aging in place, and why “missing middle” housing matters
Accessibility, disability housing, and inclusive community planning
Historic preservation versus modern housing needs
Highland Park’s investment in sidewalks, connectivity, and public spaces
The future of downtown Highland Park, the Ravinia District, and neighborhood investment
Mayor Rotering’s regional work with Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and broader housing policy

Memorable quotes:

“A stop sign brought me into City Hall.”

“Housing is where jobs go to sleep.”

“A community that grows is a community that’s progressing.”

Learn more:

Highland Park
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Ravinia Festival

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