Jessica Weglarz has been named Executive Director of the Downtown Highland Park Alliance. Weglarz will work directly with business owners and community members of Downtown Highland Park to enhance the economic vitality of Downtown Highland Park, oversee the operations of the organization, develop and administer the annual strategic plan and budget, and cultivate strategic partnerships with local organizations and the media to achieve the objectives of the Downtown Highland Park Alliance.

“We are so pleased to welcome Jessica to our community and to this important position for the Alliance,” notes Al Klairmont, Chairman of the Downtown Highland Park Alliance. “She brings the intelligence and experience that our community needs to sustain a thriving downtown and accomplish the mission of the Downtown Highland Park Alliance,” he added.

Prior to joining the Downtown Highland Park Alliance, Weglarz was Director of Research for the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois. She has a Bachelors of Business Marketing and Management from Drake University and an MBA in Management from Bradley University. A native of Peoria, Weglarz now resides in Highland Park.

Weglarz is the co-author of the book "OPEN! How to Make and Keep Jobs in Your Community.” This step by step guide assists communities in positioning themselves for successful economic development. She was named one of the Top 40 Leaders Under 40 in Greater Peoria in 2009 and one of the Top 25 Women in Leadership in Greater Peoria in 2010.

About

The Downtown Highland Park Alliance is a public-private partnership of the Highland Park CBD Property Owners Association, the City of Highland Park and the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce. The Alliance was founded in 2008 to enhance the economic vitality of Downtown Highland Park. The operations and promotions of the Alliance are funded by a Special Service Area commercial property tax currently authorized through 2013. For more information visit www.downtownhp.com, find us on Facebook or call 847.780.4293.