Human Relations Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2022-09-19

Human Relations Commission
 Monday, September 19, 2022
 6:30pm


 Members of the Human Relations Commission


 AGENDA



I. Call to Order

II. Approval of Agenda

III. Approval of Minutes: June 27th, 2022

IV. Chair’s Report, Maria Monastero Bueno

 A. Sub Co-Chairs from Committees

 i. Alex Chaparro-Block Party Forum

 ii. Summer Updates

 iii. New Ideas for HRC

V. Old/New Items of Business

 i. Jim McVane and NAMI Cook County North Suburbs (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
 Annual Walk on Saturday, October 1st, 2022
 a. Registration Opens at 8:30 am CST
 b. Walk Begins at 10:00 am CST
 c. 847-716-2252 for Alyx Kesselring
 d. Gallery Park at the Glenview Park District
 ii. Block Party Applications on Google Form


VI. Adjournment



  Next Meeting: October 24th, 2022 6:30pm AT VILLAGE HALL 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie IL.
 60077

Human Relations Commission
 Monday, September 19th, 2022
 6:30PM


 In Person 5127 Oakton St. Skokie, IL. 60077 RM D & E


 MINUTES
Present: Daphnee Camilien, Alexander Chaparro, Krishna Goyal, Anwar Haq, Jonathan
Lavin, Jim McVane, Ralph Ruebner, Jeremy Segall, Karen Sherman, Chair: Maria
Monastero Bueno and Liaison Iris Barrios

Not present (E) = Excused: Deborah Arnold (E), Sheila Crumrine (E), David Donegan
(E), Jaili Fajardo, Marcos Levy, Swarupa Pahan, Michelle Reitman (E), Pearl Rubenzik
(E), James Specker (E), Moe Yanes, Trustee Khem Khoeun (E)


Meeting Called to Order at 6:44pm

 1. Approval of the Agenda first by Alex, second by Karen
 2. Approval of the June 27th, 2022: As amended: first by Alex, second by Jim

Chair Report
  1. Chair Maria introduced new and returning HRC member Rabbi Ralph Ruebner.
 Ralph Ruebner provided a brief background of his previous 11 years of
 experience on the HRC.
  2. Chair Maria let the group know there are currently 4 openings. A discussion was
 given around the group about expanding the group to other parts of Skokie.
 Many of the commission group members are neighbors and that is how they
 became involved. Spreading the word out to other parts of Skokie in order to get
 more residents involved now that there are openings as HRC members have
 moved or there was conflict of interests that have provided more opens to the
 new season for the HRC.

Subcommittee Updates:
1. Block Party Forum: Alex provided an update on the Forum in partnership with the
 Skokie Police Station. A forum would provide a space for residents who are
 interested in hosting a block party but may not know where to start or how to apply.
 Alex would like to host the forum in March 2023 and is working with Officer Wilken
 on the possible dates. A discussion was had around dates due to holidays in the
 Spring as well as Spring Break for schools. Ralph brought up the idea of having a
 Community Calendar along with a Culture Calendar for Skokie. One name was the
 Skokie Culture Community Calendar that is published by the Human Relations
 Commission with all the community events, spiritual dates, religious dates, holidays,
 etc. Karen mentioned that May 17th would be the Norway Constitution Holiday so
 dates like these would be added.

Old Business/Updates
1. Chair Maria would like Block Party of the Year Award to be moved up sooner this
 year. Prior to COVID, BPOYA, voting was earlier. Going back to the time of year it
 previously was for this year instead of waiting for Spring. HRC would like to vote in
 January and continue to vote in google format as well as in person.
2. Iris gave an update on the Block Parties, the google sheet update and encouraged
 HRC members to attend.

New Business
1. Chair Maria had asked the group before the summer break to come with new ideas.
 Karen came with ideas on partnerships with non-profits. The group had questions on
 the budget. Iris went over the budget. A print out would be most helpful. Iris will work
 with Penny from Health and Human Services to see if Iris can provide a budget for
 the HRC members. Questions came up about how to join HRC. Iris mentioned the
 HRC webpage on Skokie’s website and there is a link to apply for HRC. There were
 questions about IPlan and the survey that has been coming out from the summer.
 Iris mentioned about inviting Elizabeth Nelson to October meeting for these
 resources. This gave the group an idea about inviting groups to HRC meetings.
 Jeremy provided a new idea about making flyers for Skokie residents to make it
 known about HRC and the housing services. Possibly partnering up with voter
 registration drive and encourage people to vote, join commissions and be involved in
 Skokie.
2. Jim provided information on the upcoming NAMI Cook County North Suburbs walk
 being held on October 1st, 2022. Jim also provided information on where NAMI’s
 office is in Skokie. Information on registration is found on the NAMI website along
 with calling 847-716-2252. The walk is being held at Gallery Park at Glenview Park
 District and funds are being raised to support mental health awareness and moving
 away from stigma. Jim mention that since working with the local NAMI he has come
 to realized that he and probably all of us have come across a person who is
 undiagnosed or diagnosed with a mental health concern/illness. Provided
 information on You Are Not Alone Book by NAMI as well as information on the new
 988 number for mental health services.


Next meeting mentioned for October 24, 2022 at Village Hall Conf. A

Adjournment at 8:04pm by Alex Chaparro and second by Jeremy Segall