In a landmark decision, the Highland Park City Council in Illinois voted unanimously, by a 7-0 margin, earlier in the week to formally enshrine the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism into municipal law.
Highland Park, a suburban community situated 25 miles north of Chicago and home to a large and vibrant Jewish population, has made history as the first city in Illinois to adopt the IHRA definition not just in the form of a resolution — as other municipalities have done — but as a binding ordinance. This elevates its status from symbolic support to enforceable law, ensuring that it will have tangible, long-term impact.
The newly passed ordinance incorporates all 11 contemporary examples included in the IHRA definition and requires their integration into the city’s anti-discrimination policies. In addition, it mandates staff training for city employees, the creation of public awareness programs, and the prominent display of the IHRA definition on official municipal websites and printed materials. The move transforms the city’s stance against antisemitism into a proactive, measurable, and educational commitment.
“Not only do we condemn all forms of discrimination, including antisemitism, but we can now identify such behavior in order to combat it, and to teach others to do the same,” said City Council Member Annette Lidawer, who championed the initiative and brought the ordinance forward for a vote. Her statement underscores the importance of moving beyond general condemnation to the practical ability to recognize, name, and counter antisemitic acts.
City Council Member Andrés Tapia added that the measure’s influence could resonate far beyond Highland Park’s borders. “Passing this legislation, we will set the standard for other communities in Illinois,” he said, framing the city’s action as a model for municipal leadership throughout the state.
The decision was warmly welcomed by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), which has been a strong advocate for municipalities to integrate the IHRA definition into their legal frameworks. CAM Chief Government Affairs Officer Lisa Katz, who leads the organization’s municipal initiatives engaging mayors and city leaders across the United States, praised the council’s leadership.
“By adopting the IHRA definition into city law, the Highland Park City Council demonstrated a clear and enforceable commitment to ensuring antisemitism will be recognized, addressed, and confronted. This precedent-setting move should be replicated by other cities nationwide,” Katz said.
Since its adoption in 2016, the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism has been embraced by more than 1,200 entities across the globe — including governments at all levels, international organizations, civic institutions, NGOs, universities, sports associations, and private companies. Its language provides a widely accepted framework for identifying and responding to antisemitic incidents, including those that may otherwise be dismissed or overlooked.
The adoption and implementation of the IHRA definition has also been central to the Municipal Antisemitism Action Index, launched by CAM in December 2024 at the North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in Beverly Hills, California. The index is designed as a benchmarking tool to measure and encourage meaningful, local government-led initiatives to counter antisemitism.
Highland Park’s council, led by Mayor Nancy Rotering, has a history of proactive engagement with the Jewish community. In May 2023, the city officially recognized Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) in partnership with CAM — an event that further reinforced its commitment to celebrating and safeguarding Jewish life. Monday’s ordinance now cements that commitment in law, setting a precedent that advocates hope will inspire municipalities across the country to follow suit.