Human Relations Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-09-23

Human Relations Commission
 Monday, September 23, 2024
 6:30pm

Location: Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street – Conference Room D & E (2nd Floor)

 AGENDA

I. Call to Order


II. Introductions and Updates


III. Approval of Agenda


IV. Approval of Minutes of May 20, 2024 Meeting


V. Public Comments


VI. Committee Reports

 A. Neighbor Engagement Committee
 1. Block Parties, Block Party Forum
 2. Know your Neighbor
 3. 4th of July Parade

 B. Housing Committee Updates
 1. Housing Subcommittee
 2. Fair Housing Ordinance

 C. Equity and Diversity Committee Updates
 1. Early Intervention Hate/Bias Incidence
 2. Black History Month
 3. Unite Against Racism w/ YWCA
 4. Skokie Festival of Cultures
 5. Skokie Juneteenth
 6. Skokie Pride
 7. SEED Training
VII. Other Items of Business
 A. Village Seal Redesign
 B. Skokie Police Use of Force Review Board
 C. Discussion of Human Relations Commission Mission and Talking Points
 D. Future Meeting Schedule
 1. October 28, 2024
 2. November/December? – need to choose date
 3. January 27, 2025
 4. February 24, 2025
 5. March 24, 2025
 6. April 28, 2025
 7. May 26, 2025 – Memorial Day (will need to choose alternate date)
 8. June 23, 2025


VIII. Adjourn


 Next Meeting: Oct 28, 2024, 6:30pm at Village Hall 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie IL. 60077

Human Relations Commission
 Monday, September 23, 2024
 6:30pm

Location: Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street – Conference Room D & E (2nd Floor)

In Attendance: Commissioners: Sheryl Bloom Basile, Alex Chaparro (interim chair), Sheila Crumrine (vice-chair),
David Donegan, Carl Johnson, Jonathan Lavin, Joseph Meyers, Swarupa Pahan, Jeremy Segall, Karen Sherman,
Valeriya Slutskaya, Margaret van Steenderen, Skokie Staff Liaison: Amanda Sabri

Not in Attendance: Anthony Agee (E), Deborah Arnold (E), Marcos Levy, Maria Monastero Bueno (E), James
Specker (E), Trustee Khem Khoeun (E)

I. Call to Order: 6:40 PM


II. Introductions and Updates
 A. Amanda Sabri read a statement from Maria Monastero Bueno informing the commission of her
 temporary leave of absence and the appointment of Alex Chaparro as Interim Chair. New
 members Margaret van Steenderen, Pastor Carl Johnson, and Valeriya Slutskaya introduced
 themselves and current members also provided introductions. Amanda Sabri informed the
 commission that Deborah Arnold has resigned from the commission due to moving Mt.
 Prospect.
 B. Alex Chaparro reminded commissioners that there are several open seats available on the
 commission and recommended that members encourage other community members to become
 involved with either the Human Relations Commission or other commissions that may also have
 openings.


III. Approval of Agenda
 A. Sheila Crumrine motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Sheryl Bloom
 Basile. All were in favor and the motion carried.


IV. Approval of Minutes of May 20, 2024 Meeting
 A. David Donegan motioned to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Jon
 Lavin. All were in favor and the motion carried.


V. Public Comments
 A. No public comments given.


VI. Committee Reports
A. Equity and Diversity Committee
 1. Black History Month and Juneteenth: David Donegan and Sheila Crumrine reported on
 meetings they held with staff at Oakton College. These staff included Ella Whitehead, Assistant
 Director of Enrollment and Equity Outreach, Janeen Jackson, Equity Coordinator for BLACK
 Student Success, and Gabriel Chacon, Coordinator of Student Life and Campus Inclusion for
 Latinx Students. During this conversation and subsequent communications, they explored
 partnerships for programming with Oakton College directly, as well as joint partnerships with
 Oakton College and Niles West Highschool, Niles North Highschool, and the ELL Parent Center.
 Oakton College staff indicated that much of their current programming takes place on their Des
 Plaines campus but they are open to possible programming on the Skokie campus in the future.
 David Donegan also brought forth the idea of the commission facilitating a new iteration of
 Skokie Cares with a more targeted focus.
 2. Early Intervention Hate/Bias Incidence: Amanda Sabri informed members that Police
 Chief Jesse Barnes has arranged for a training for commissioners and staff related to Hate
 Crimes and Hate Bias incidents. Donita Farr, Senior Assistant Attorney General with the Law
 Enforcement Training Bureau will provide this training during the next regularly scheduled
 Human Relations Commission meeting on October 28 from 6:30 – 7:30pm.
 3. Unite Against Racism w/ YWCA: Sheila Crumrine gave an overview of our previous
 involvement with the YWCA’s Unite Against Racism events and the YWCA’s recent decision to
 move away from a demonstration event and move towards initiatives that focus on action.
 Sheila has a meeting scheduled with Heather Sweeney, YWCA’s Equity Institute Learning
 Manager, on November 7th, to explore the relationship with YWCA and how the commission can
 be involved. Amanda Sabri will also attend this meeting and one additional commissioner is
 welcome to attend as well.
 4. Skokie Festival of Cultures: Karen Sherman confirmed that she will continue to be on the
 Festival of Cultures committee. When the committee resumes she will inquire about the
 possibility of the commission having its own stamp in the festival passport booklet. Sheryl Bloom
 Basile reported that she and Sheila Crumrine met with Nancy Kim Phillips, Director of
 Community Engagement at Skokie Public Library, to discuss possible partnerships between the
 library and our commission. One idea that was discussed was a community gathering, possibly
 including round table discussions, that could take place prior to Festival of Cultures and could be
 an opportunity for residents to share their cultural stories. Sheryl and Sheila will continue to
 discuss this idea with Nancy Kim Phillips.
 5. Skokie Pride: Sheila Crumrine reports that she will contact the Skokie Park District to
 secure our table registration as date comes closer.
 6. SEED Training: No updates.

B. Neighbor Engagement Committee
 1. Block Party Forum: Alex Chaparro provided an overview what the Block Party Forum is
 and why it is important. He also provided an overview of the planning process including the
 need for securing a room reservation. Alex is looking for another individual within the
 commission to partner with him to learn the process of how to host the Block Party Forum and
 eventually take over this initiative in the future. The current plan is to conduct the forum in
 March 2025.
 2. Block Parties: Amanda Sabri reported that currently, 69 residents have been approved
 for Block Party Permits and 21 of those residents have indicated that they plan to apply for the
 Block Party of the Year Award.
 3. Know your Neighbor: Karen Sherman states she plans to have an update for the
 commission at our October meeting.
 4. 4th of July Parade: Sheila Crumrine reported that there is a possibility she may be able to
 borrow a vintage car for the commission to use in the parade next year. Swarupa Pahan
 confirmed that the use of a vehicle can be indicated on the parade registration form. It is
 unknown at this time what regulations exist related having a vehicle in the parade. Alex
 Chaparro recommended purchasing additional items to give away during the parade and also
 having a stock of items available with commissioners or friends and family at a designated half-
 way point along the parade so not all items need to be carried.

 C. Housing Committee
 1. Housing Subcommittee: Alex Chaparro thanked Jon Lavin for his work on the temporary
 Housing Subcommittee and announced that he has accepted the appointment of being the
 representative for the Human Relations Commission on the permanent Housing Subcommittee
 of the Plan Commission. This will be a four-year term of service. Jon Lavin provided an
 overview of the work of the previous subcommittee and will continue to provide updates to the
 commission as meetings begin on the committee. The committee will study housing in the
 Village and periodically report recommendations to the Plan Commission and the Board of
 Trustees.
 2. Fair Housing Ordinance: No updates.


VII. Budget Discussion
 A. Amanda Sabri provided an overview of the commission’s budget. Commissioners discussed
 what amount of money should be spent on give-away items at events and ways to streamline
 purchases. Sheila Crumrine motioned to approve $1500 in FY25 for giveaways and event
 expenses. The motion was seconded by Joseph Meyers. All were in favor and the motion
 carried.


VIII. Other Items of Business
 A. Village Seal Redesign: Amanda Sabri provided an update that the Village Seal Committee has
 continued to meet with Mary Fedorowski of Overbite Studios and Marne Smiley of Bumper
 Lanes. Preliminary designs will be presented to Board of Trustees at the 10/21/24 board
 meeting. At this meeting a short presentation will be given on why the seal is being changed,
 the evolution of the committee process and an explanation of the elements of the seal design.
 It’s hoped that a final seal will go before the board for approval in December.
 B. Skokie Police Use of Force Review Board: Alex Chaparro informed the commission that
 members James Specker and Anthony Agee are at the Skokie Police Use of Force Meeting
 tonight.
 C. Discussion of Human Relations Commission Mission and Talking Points – To be discussed at the
 next meeting.
 D. Future Meeting Schedule: The following meeting schedule was agreed upon:
 1. October 28, 2024: Regularly scheduled meeting
 2. December 9, 2024: Alternate date
 a) Sheila Crumrine motioned to approve date. Motion seconded by Valeriya
 Slutskaya. All were in favor and the motion carried.
 3. January 27, 2025: Regularly scheduled meeting
 4. February 24, 2025: Regularly scheduled meeting
 5. March 24, 2025: Regularly scheduled meeting
 6. April 28, 2025: Regularly scheduled meeting
 7. May 19, 2025: Alternate date
 a) Sheila Crumrine motioned to approve date. Motion seconded by Carl Johnson.
 All were in favor and the motion carried.
 8. June 23, 2025: Regularly scheduled meeting


IX. Adjourn: 8:00 PM