Commission on Family Services — Skokie, IL
Date: 2023-03-01

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Agenda – Skokie Village Hall
 March 1, 2023
 7:00 pm



I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda

II. Approval of March 1, 2023 Minutes

III. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack

IV. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch

V. Old Business:
 A. Boomers and Beyond 2023

 B. Farmers Market Produce Collection and Donation Drive

 C. Subcommittee reports

VI. New Business:
 A. Skokie Festival of Cultures

 B. Skokie July 4th Parade

VII. Citizen Comments:


VIII. Adjournment.


 Next Meeting: April 12, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
 at Skokie Police Department

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Minutes – Skokie Village Hall
 March 1, 2023
 7:00 pm

Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Michelle Friedman, Marjorie Goran, Jo Hammerman,
Laila Iqbal, Shajan Jose, Linda Lara, Daniel Mann, Melissa Ponce (NC), Arnie Oskin, Valerie Riley, Nancy
Schwartz, Naadirah Shapley-Wells, Annie Shear, Phillip Shefren, London Summerville, Melissa Versch
(Staff Liaison)

Absent: Commissioners Nicole Perry, Daniel Stalilonis, Michael Stiehl, Edie Sue Sutker


I. Call to Order at 7:25pm.
 A. Approval of Agenda by consent.

II. Approval of February 1, 2023 Minutes
 A. Approval of Minutes by consent.

III. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack
 A. Introduction of new commissioner, Melissa Ponce. All commissioners introduced
 themselves.
 B. Review of achievements over the last year, including produce and donation collections,
 initiation of planning for Boomers and Beyond, and formation of subcommittees: Seniors, People
 with Disabilities, and At Risk Youth and Families.

IV. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch
 A. In January, the Illinois Department of Health and Human Services communicated that
 phase two of resettlement program has begun for asylum seekers. In Skokie, there is one asylum
 seeker location. The Illinois Housing Development Authority is working with landlords
 throughout the Chicagoland area to locate permanent housing.
 B. Skokie HHS was awarded a new COVID-19 vaccination grant.
 C. The Human Relations Commission has set the date for the annual Stand Against Racism
 event, now called Until Justice Just Is. The gathering outside Village Hall will be April 25 at
 10:30am.
 D. Skokie HHS has been fielding inquiries from residents concerned about SNAP benefits
 being reduced as the Public Health Emergency comes to an end. Residents are provided with a
 list of food pantries and helped with updating contact information with DHS.
 Commissioners indicated they would be interested to hear information about the number of
 inquiries coming in over the next month.

V. Old Business:
 A. Boomers and Beyond 2023
 The planning committee met in January and will be meeting again mid-March. At the last
 meeting, the group signed up for sub-committee tasks, including Presentations/Program, Vendor
 Coordination/Logistics and Publicity/Sponsorships. If anyone on the Commission would like to
 volunteer or knows of a good speaker, they can let Harold know.
 B. Farmers Market Produce Collection and Donation Drive
 Harold asked for a volunteer to organize a SignUp Genius for produce and donation collections
 this summer. London Summerville volunteered. Melissa explained the process of collecting
 produce from farmers each Sunday throughout the summer. Donation Drives are scheduled for
 the last Sundays, June through October.

 Harold shared that the Niles Township Food Pantry is having a Fun Run on May 21.

 C. Subcommittee reports
 Harold and Mike Stiehl met with Gene Griffin to discuss 708 Boards, which create a tax revenue
 to be used for mental health services. Board members would be appointed. A maximum tax
 would collect a couple million dollars per year. This is in early stages of discussion. The initiative
 may be done at a Township level.

VI. New Business:
 A. Skokie Festival of Cultures
 Arnie shared that the Festival of Cultures event will be held May 20 – 21. If the Commission
 would like to have a table, we need to talk with Aryn Fletcher with the Park District. The
 opportunity would allow the Commission to communicate to residents about initiatives and
 activities that benefit the community. Discussion indicated the Commission would be interested
 in sharing a table with another group and help would be elicited from the Village marketing
 team. Arnie would work with Melissa to update the Commission brochure. Harold called a vote
 to participate: the motion passed.

 B. Skokie July 4th Parade
 Arnie is on the planning committee for the July 4th parade and proposed that the Commission
 participate this year. Harold stated he would reach out to the Chair of the Beautification
 Commission to ask about partnering. Arnie reported that the planning committee is working with
 law enforcement to ensure safety at the parade.

VII. Citizen Comments:
 None.

VIII. Adjournment at 8:20pm.


 Next Meeting: April 12, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
 at Skokie Police Department