Board of Health — Skokie, IL
Date: 2026-04-09

Skokie Board of Health
Thursday, April 9, 2026
7:00 pm

Skokie Village Hall
5127 Oakton Street
Conference Room D/E

AGENDA

I. Call to Order

II. Approval of Agenda

III. Approval of Minutes: March 12, 2026 Meeting

IV. Public Comment (3 minutes per person)

V. BOH Chair Updates, Dr. Edward Linn

VI. Health and Human Services (HHS) Updates, Jenn Davis-Spells, Community Health
 Supervisor

VII. HHS Community Vaccine Access and Immunization Programs, Jenn Davis-Spells,
 Community Health Supervisor

VIII. Old Business
 A. Award of Health Research Excellence, Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker

IX. New Business
 A. Update on the Skokie Health Symposium: “Vaccinations in 2026: What’s the
 Sticking Point?”, Sibyl Yau, Vice-Chair

X. Adjournment

Next Regular Meeting: May 14, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.




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Board of Health
Regular Meeting Minutes
April 9, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street, Conference Rooms D

Call to Order
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM.
Roll Call/Declaration of Quorum
In attendance: Dr. Sarah Franks, Jaime Gonzalez-Vicker, Juliet Haido, Dr. Girijia Kalyan Kumar,
Margaret Keeler, Dr. Edward Linn (Chair), Rohit Pandya, Dr. Romil Sood, Patricia Urbanus, Irtaza
Usman, Ruth Varma, Dr. William Werner, Sibyl Yau (Vice-Chair); Trustee: Lissa Levy; Staff
Liaison: Jennifer Davis-Spells
Not in attendance: - Normal Dr. Swapna Dave, Dr. Bruce Gaynes, Dr. Michael Gottesman,
Maureen Hanlon, Dr. Alyssa Kritzman, Dr. Stephen Lupovitch, Valerie Riley; Staff Liaison:
Michael Charley
Approval of Agenda
Agenda approved; first by Patricia Urbanus, second by Ruth Varma.
Approval of Meeting Minutes from March 12, 2026
Minutes approved; first by Dr. Romil Sood, second by Margaret Keeler
Board of Health Chair Updates, Dr. Edward Linn
Regulation of electronic bikes/scooters (e-bikes), City of Elgin has goal of regulating e-bikes,
waiting to see if legislation will be provided at the State level prior to setting localized
regulation. New term being used to describe electronic bikes and scooters = Micromobility
devices.
Dr. Linn discussed the Interim Director of Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). No
one wants to accept the role of Director. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is the current acting Director of
CDC and is also the National Institutes of Health Director.
State of Wisconsin has developed their own Immunize Wisconsin Coalition and Wisconsin’s
leading health care organizations and associations have issued a joint statement reaffirming
that routine childhood immunization, as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP),
remains the standard of care for children across the state.




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New York Health Department is also maintaining the status quo with 97% of children enrolled in
school having received childhood vaccines as recommended by the AAP. The New York State
Department of Health and the New York City Department of Health announced their official
endorsement of the 2026 childhood and adolescent immunization schedule recommended by
the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Dr. Linn shared his concerns on the actions of this current administration and cited an editorial
in The Lancet: Robert F Kennedy Jr: 1 year of failure, stating it will take years to repair the
damage Robert F. Kennedy has accomplished in just one year.
Health and Human Services Program Presentation – Community Vaccine Access and
Immunization Programs, Jennifer Davis Spells
Davis-Spells provided a brief overview of the various vaccination programs available through
Skokie Health and Human Services. Davis-Spells also presented this information at the Skokie
Health Symposium on March 11. Discussed:
 • Vaccines for Children (VFC)
 • Adult Immunization Program (AIP/317)
 • Illinois Vaccine Access Program (IVAP)
 • Community Flu Clinics
 • Homebound Vaccination Program
 • Walk-in Wednesdays
 • Niles Township Respite Center Partnership
 • Partnership with Advocate Mobile Unit
 o Daycare site – Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
 o Skokie Health Fair – June 6, 2026

Dr. Sarah Franks asked what vaccines were most prevalently given to adults under the Skokie
AIP program. Davis-Spells did not have this data readily accessible, but stated she could analyze
the vaccination information and provide an update at the next meeting.
Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker suggested Skokie become more active in the community with vaccine
education for the public and health literacy. Brought up that while this information is good to
share with community partners, it would be great to see this information and education
provided to residents and families of Skokie. Suggested “Vaccine 101 Classes” held at the
library or local community partner locations similar to how the Commission on Family Services
provides a “How to Have a Block Party 101”. Sibyl Yau stated this may be a good initiative for
the next IPLAN cycle and to connect with Director of Health and Human Services Mike Charley.
Health and Human Services (HHS) Updates, Jenn Davis-Spells, Community Health Supervisor
Davis-Spells provided information on:
 • Extension of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Season Extension Update and
 Guidelines as sent out by IDPH SIREN.
 • Dear Colleagues Letter Regarding the American Academy of Pediatrics Ruling and
 Illinois Vaccine Guidance as sent out by IDPH SIREN.
Upcoming events include (flyers distributed to BOH members for each event):
 • Monday, April 20 - 3pm – 6:30pm – STI pop up screening clinic
 • Saturday, June 6 – Skokie Health Fair

Old Business: Award of Health Research Excellence, Jaime Gonzalez-Vicker
Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker provided a brief summary of the science project and why the recipient
was awarded recognition for the topic. Sibyl Yau and Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker to present the
award and trophy to the student recipient, Nikol Kuzmenkova, at the June 1 Village of Skokie
Board Meeting at 7:30pm.
New Business – Update on the Skokie Health Symposium: “Vaccinations in 2026: What’s the
Sticking Point?”, Sibyl Yau, Vice-Chair
Sibyl Yau provided a summary of the presentations of the Skokie Health Symposium,
highlighting contributions by Dr. Ed Linn, Dr. Jennifer Seo, Pediatric Medical Advisor through
IDPH, Jennifer Davis-Spells, Sarah Kalinowski, a representative from Skokie School District 69,
and Stephanie Atella, Chief Program Officer of Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of
Pediatrics. Gonzalez-Vicker asked how to become involved as a volunteer at the Skokie Health
Fair. Davis-Spells reiterated the best way to stay informed on volunteer information and
opportunities is to join the MRC. Information on joining the Skokie MRC to be sent via email to
all BOH members.
Public Comment
No Public Comment
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 8:11 PM; first by Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker, second by Dr. Sood
Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting: May 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM
First by Dr. Romil Sood, second by Margaret Keeler



Respectfully Submitted, Jennifer Davis-Spells, Community Health Supervisor