ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Annette
I am about to finish my first term on the Highland Park City Council. I have worked tirelessly these last few years advocating for enhanced economic development – culminating in the addition of Economic Development as a pillar priority of the City. I have advocated for streamlined processes, responsiveness to and services for residents. My core goal has been adding to the vibrancy and beautification of our City and healing after the devastating events of July 4th, 2022.
Adding to our core pillars as a City, I advocated to add Economic Development to the City’s main principles. This measure ensures that resources are available to assist our current businesses and encourages new businesses to move to Highland Park. Several incentive programs to further and sustain growth of existing businesses and fill vacancies have been added. Programming to enhance the City’s vitality in the form of markets, shows, and events have also become more of a focus. This emphasis makes Highland Park a destination for entertainment, the arts and vibrancy.
As Liaison to the Plan and Design Commission, Human Relations Advisory Group, and formerly Park District of Highland Park, I worked on countless projects that impact Highland Parkers’ lives including changing zoning to ensure that neighbors are comfortable with proximity to developments, noise regulations, expansion of celebrations of those in our community and ensuring the safety and peace of mind of residents in response to protesters have all been key initiatives.
I am an attorney and former educator with many years of extensive political experience. I served as a Commissioner on the City’s Plan & Design Commission (PDC) and as the former President of the Board of Education of Township High School District 113. I have lived in Highland Park for over 25 years with my husband Rob Rubin. We have three grown children, Matthew married to Daniella in Tel Aviv, Ari married to Sarah Banerji in Palo Alto and Allie in Denver.
A Thriving Career
Previously, we lived in New York City where I served on the local school board (K-8), as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York, Ombudsman to Brooklyn for Governor Mario Cuomo and as District Administrator for Congressman Stephen Solarz. In those capacities, I won Federal funding for multiple projects and worked with dozens of communities to broaden economic development and increase community responsiveness.
After moving back to Highland Park to raise our young family, I was involved in Highland Park by creating and heading the first District 112 Fun(d) Run and running the Food Days program at Edgewood Middle School for two years. I served on District 113’s school board for eight years. “I feel one of my major achievements as president of the school board was to gain passage of the referendum to improve the high schools. My leadership skills and ability to balance a wide range of stakeholders’ competing interests made Highland Park an even better place to live.”