Highland Park, Illinois – A generous donation of $1 million from Jon and Mindy Gray is set to support the construction of a permanent memorial honoring the seven victims of the Highland Park mass shooting. The City of Highland Park recently announced the Grays’ contribution, marking a significant step towards creating a space of remembrance for the tragic events that occurred on July 4, 2022.
Jon Gray, a native of Highland Park and the President and Chief Operating Officer of Blackstone, expressed his commitment to the community by making this substantial donation. This act of kindness from the Grays represents the first private contribution towards the establishment of a “trauma-informed undertaking” to provide a dedicated space for reflection and remembrance for those affected by the shooting.
The memorial will pay tribute to the victims of the mass shooting, offering a place for the community to honor their memory and reflect on the resilience of Highland Park in the face of tragedy. Mayor Nancy Rotering commended the Gray’s generosity, acknowledging the importance of creating a permanent space of remembrance for the community’s healing and long-term resiliency efforts.
City officials highlighted the significance of the donation, emphasizing that it complements the initial support provided by the Grays to the Highland Park Community Foundation for immediate relief efforts following the shooting. The donation serves as a testament to the Grays’ ongoing commitment to supporting and uplifting the community during times of hardship and healing.
Rotering, along with City Manager Ghida Neukirch, joined Jon and Mindy Gray in visiting the temporary memorial located in the Rose Garden adjacent to city hall. The visit symbolized a moment of remembrance and solidarity with the victims and their families, underscoring the community’s collective mourning and resilience in the aftermath of the tragedy.
As the city continues the planning process for the permanent memorial, a core working group composed of city officials and community leaders has been established. The group is dedicated to gathering community input, conducting research, and providing advisory recommendations to ensure that the memorial reflects the spirit of remembrance and healing for all those affected by the mass shooting.
The temporary memorial, featuring seven plaques designed in collaboration with family members of the victims, will remain in place until the permanent memorial is established. The community’s commitment to honoring the lives lost and supporting one another through acts of generosity and remembrance remains at the forefront of the healing process in Highland Park.