Skip to content

April ILCMA Professional Development Event & Metro Luncheon- Hybrid Events

April Professional Development:  Emerging Preparedness Put into Action

DC Sniper Case – Could it Happen Again?

23 days of terror when a pair of snipers shot 13 and killed 10. Fear froze the DC metro area.

This case review will cover all major aspects of that complex investigation including: tactical response, investigative protocols, media relations, command and control, task force organization, political influences, logistics, organizational communications, use of technology, and the importance of a ‘total’ involvement of local government officials and departments. During this case John King was the Assistant Chief of Police in Montgomery County, Maryland. After retiring from MCPD he was Chief of Police in two cities and taught police leadership both domestically for the FBI and internationally for the Department of State.

1. How involved will the City Manager be in an on-going criminal investigation?

2. What city resources can be used to assist the police in the investigation?

3. How will the City Manager handle the intense media?

4. How pre-planning and ‘all-hazards’ emergency training can prepare city leadership.

Highland Park, July 4, 2022

Emergency Preparedness was put into action when a mass shooting took place in Highland Park on Independence Day.  City Manager Ghida Neukirch will provide the City’s response to the horrific tragedy, the significant coordination that was necessary for weeks after the mass shooting, and continued resiliency efforts which are on-going.  Lake County EMA Manager Dan Eder will present the County’s role in the Highland Park Shooting response including highlights of the plethora of resources available to communities and the public.

  • Overview of the City of Highland Park’s emergency response following the mass shooting on July 4, 2022 at the community’s Independence Day parade that took the lives of 7 individuals, injured 48 and traumatized thousands.
  • Information provided about the City’s emergency medical, law enforcement response, communication strategies, victim support, coordination with government and partner agencies and continued resiliency efforts.
  • Understand the functions and capabilities of a County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and how it can work together with a local municipality before, during, and after an incident.
  • Learn examples of how a County EMA works with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and other State and Federal partners.
  • Understand the importance of partnership building an how it is essential before an event ever occurs, as well as some of the mutual aid and resources that exists through current partnerships.
  • Learn about recovery after an incident and the some of the County efforts taking place as a result of the July 4th event.

On the morning of July 4, 2022 the City of Highland Park was gearing up to celebrate together Independence Day as a community for the first time in two years. A mass shooting took place at 10:14 AM, 14 minutes after the parade started. The gunman, positioned on top of a roof, fired over 70 shots from an assault style weapon into the crowd below. Seven people were killed, 48 others were wounded by bullets or shrapnel, and thousands are forever impacted.  The City of Highland Park, working alongside federal, state, county and other local enforcement agencies and responded swiftly and effectively. While the community was searching for meaning, the professionals working behind the scenes, worked tirelessly to best serve the public which continues today.  City Manager Ghida Neukirch will present information about the City’s emergency response to the horrific tragedy, along with the significant coordination and mutual aid efforts.   Lake County Emergency Management Agency Manager Dan Eder will present information about the County’s role in the Highland Park Shooting response including highlights of the plethora of resources available to communities and the public.

Intended audience is local government managers/administrators and assistants.

SPEAKERS:

Ghida Neukirch is a municipal leader with 30 years of experience in local government management. She is the first female City Manager for the City of Highland Park, IL responsible for the management of a $113 MM budget and 270 employees. Neukirch serves on a broad range of professional, civic, and philanthropic boards and committees. She is a Board Member of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board, Board Member and Past-President of the Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood, and a founder and Executive Board Member of Community the Anti-Drug (CTAD). She is a Credentialed Manager by the International City/County Management Association and is a Past President of the Illinois City/County Management Association. In 2012, Neukirch began her employment with the City of Highland Park as the Deputy City Manager and was promoted to City Manager in 2014. Her prior professional work includes management positions at four other municipalities in the State of Illinois. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Psychology from DePaul University and a Masters of Public Administration with an emphasis in Urban Management from Northern Illinois University. She and her husband Scot Neukirch, have two children, Jaclyn & Zachary.

Dan Eder is the current Manager for the Lake County Emergency Management Agency and has been with Lake County since December 2016. Prior to his employment with Lake County, he was the Assistant Director of Community Health Resources with the Kane County Health Department where he had been employed over 10 years. Dan has a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Environmental Health degree from Northern Illinois University, a Master of Public Health degree from Benedictine University, is a Licensed Environmental Health Practitioner (LEHP), and is also an Illinois Professional Emergency Manager (IPEM). Dan has responded to numerous incidents prior to, and during his time, at Lake County. He is passionate about utilizing strategic planning methods and forming strong partnerships to help develop projects and initiatives to help better prepare Lake County before, during, and after an incident or event.

Intended audience is local government managers/administrators and assistants.

addresses ICMA practices areas: 2-community engagement, 4-Staff Effectiveness, 6-strategic leadership, 8-policy facilitation and implementation, 9-community and
resident service, 10-services delivery, 14-communication and information sharing

In Person Attendees:

Registration/check-in and continental breakfast begins at 9 AM at NIU Naperville, E. 1120 Diehl Road, Naperville, IL

Zoom Access:

Zoom Access information will be emailed separately, to each registrant.  Note: Access will not be sent immediately following registration, but prior to the event date.

Event Flyer

April Metro Luncheon:  Living in the Red and Yellow

Hybrid Event: Attend in-person luncheon or online through Zoom

Living in the red and yellow – City Manager Neukirch will present her personal experiences and work effort following the Highland Park shooting that took place on July 4, 2022, and how “living in the red and yellow” impacts her life today.

Following the professional development program, City Manager Neukirch will present additional information about her personal experiences and work effort following the Highland Park shooting that took place on July 4, 2022. In her capacity as Incident Commander, she was responsible for oversight of the City’s emergency response operations and resiliency efforts, working alongside senior staff members and coordinating with federal, state, county, local agencies and community partner organizations. She was also a participant in the parade along with her son and nephew and three minutes outside of the hot zone when the shooting took place. She will share the balance that was necessary to care for her family, City employees, the public and herself the days and weeks after the emergency incident, and how “living in the red and yellow” impacts her life today.

Intended audience is local government managers/administrators and assistants.

SPEAKER:

Ghida Neukirch is a municipal leader with 30 years of experience in local government management. She is the first female City Manager for the City of Highland Park, IL. As a first-generation proud American, having moved to the United States from Beirut, Lebanon in 1976, she is dedicated to promoting inclusivity and fairness for all.

As City Manager for the City of Highland Park, IL, a progressive community located on the shore of Lake Michigan with more than 30,000 residents, Neukirch directs the operations for the City. She is responsible for the management of a $113 MM budget and 270 employees. Neukirch has balanced 10 consecutive budgets and has ensured that the City maintains a Aaa bond rating, the highest bond rating available and a testament to sound financial planning and management. In addition, she oversaw the reconstruction of the City’s $35 MM water plant, and negotiated and coordinated the consolidation of fire and emergency medical services between the City of Highland Park and Highwood.
Neukirch serves on a broad range of professional, civic, and philanthropic boards and committees. She is a Board Member of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board, Board Member and Past-President of the Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood, and a founder and Executive Board Member of Community the Anti-Drug (CTAD). Neukirch is also the Co-Founder of the Highland Park Career Exploration Program (HPCE). She is a Credentialed Manager by the International City/County Management Association and is a Past President of the Illinois City/County Management Association.

In 2012, Neukirch began her employment with the City of Highland Park as the Deputy City Manager and was promoted to City Manager in 2014. Her prior professional work includes management positions at four other municipalities in the State of Illinois. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Psychology from DePaul University and a Masters of Public Administration with an emphasis in Urban Management from Northern Illinois University. She and her husband Scot Neukirch, have two children, Jaclyn & Zachary.

addresses ICMA practice areas: 5-personal resiliency and development, 13-human resource management and workforce engagement

Event Flyer

In Person Attendees:

Check-in and Networking begins at 11:30 AM at NIU Naperville, 1120 Diehl Road, Naperville, IL

 

Zoom Access:

Zoom Access information will be emailed separately, to each registrant.  Note: Access will not be sent immediately following registration, but prior to the event date.

 

  • Professional Development Event-In Person
    April 12, 2023
    8:00 am - 11:30 am
  • Zoom Access-Professional Development
    April 12, 2023
    8:30 am - 11:30 am
  • Metro Luncheon In-Person
    April 12, 2023
    11:30 am - 1:30 pm
  • Zoom Access Metro Presentation
    April 12, 2023
    12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
We're sorry, but all tickets sales have ended because the event is expired.

Venue:  

Venue Phone: 630-977-9101

Venue Website:

Address:
1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois, 60563, United States

Description:

1120 E. Diehl Road

Naperville, IL  60563


Having trouble opening PDFs? Download Adobe Reader here.

ILCMA

Install ILCMA

Install this application on your home screen for quick and easy access when you’re on the go.

Just tap then “Add to Home Screen”