Board of Health — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-10-10

Skokie Board of Health
 Thursday, October 10, 2024
 7:00 pm
 Conference Room D&E, Village Hall, 5127 Oakton St

 AGENDA

I. Call to Order

II. Approval of Agenda

III. Approval of Minutes: September 12, 2024 Meeting

IV. BOH Chair Updates, Dr. Edward Linn

V. Director of Health and Human Services Updates, Mike Charley

VI. Old Business
 A. Cannabinoids Discussion
 B. Backyard Chickens

VII. New Business

VIII. Public Comments

IX. Adjournment

 Next Regular Meeting: November 14, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m.




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Skokie Board of Health
 Thursday, October 10, 2024
 7:00 pm

 Conference Room D&E, Village Hall, 5127 Oakton St



 MINUTES

In attendance: Dr. Swapna Dave, Dr. Michael Gottesman, Juliet Haido, Maureen Hanlon, Dr. Girijia
Kalyan Kumar, Dr. Edward Linn (Chair), Dr. Stephen Lupovitch, Patricia Urbanus, Irtaza Usman, Dr.
William Werner, Dr. Larry Williams, Sibyl Yau; Liaison (Vice-Chair); Staff Liaison: Mike Charley;
Trustee James Johnson
Not in attendance: Dr. Bruce Gaynes, Margaret Keeler, Heidi Nickisch Duggan, Rohit Pandya, Dr.
Kyungran Shim, Dr. Romil Sood, Ruth Varma; Trustee Keith Robinson

I. Call to Order at 7:01 PM

II. Approval of Agenda: Approved, First Dr. Werner, Second Dr. Williams

III. Approval of Minutes: September 12, 2024 Meeting: Approved, Approved, First Dr.
 Werner, Second Dr. Williams

IV. BOH Chair Updates, Dr. Edward Linn: Dr. Linn shared that October is Breast Cancer
 Awareness Month. October 15 is National Mammogram day. A printout was handed out
 regarding the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer program. The printout included
 organizations that provided free breast cancer and cervical cancer screens/tests and/or
 evaluations. HHS will share this information via their weekly newsletter and/or social
 media.

V. Director of Health and Human Services Updates, Mike Charley: Charley shared that
 HHS held two community flu clinics, October 1 & October 8 where over 1,150 residents
 received flu vaccine. There were 576 Fluzone senior high doses and 606 Flucelvax
 regular doses administered. Charley and Dr. Linn presented the 14th Annual Public
 Health Partners of Excellence awards at the Village Board meeting on October 8, the
 three awardees were Sibyl Yau, Deborah Grodinsky and Joanna Koh. Charley provided
 recent IDPH updates, including: Congenital Syphilis cases are up 255% in Illinois since
 2020, Illinois infant mortality rate dropped between 2018 and 2021, Pertussis rates have
 increased to pre-COVID-pandemic levels, October is breast cancer awareness month &
 October is the start of the traditional respiratory virus season (RSV, flu & COVID). Board
 of Health members offered valuable feedback and suggestions on effectively sharing
 public health information with residents, including details about the flu clinic. They
 recommended distributing clinic information in multiple languages and collaborating
 with partners like the Niles Township Food Pantry, Skokie Farmers' Market, and Skokie
 Public Library. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of reaching out to
 underserved populations through trusted advocates, such as faith-based organizations.
 Dr. Werner and Dr. Kumar shared that A Silver Lining Foundation is a wonderful
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 organization that was created to fund screening of mammograms based on need.

 Dr. Dave asked if the HHS Department has a one-page flyer that provides a high-level of
 detail on HHS programs areas. Charley shared that HHS does have a several page HHS
 Programs document that provides some detail on program areas and he will share this
 document with the BOH.

VI. Old Business
 A. Cannabinoids Discussion: Dr. Dave reported that she and Mike Charley met with
 the Village's communications team following the September Board of Health
 (BOH) meeting. As a result, the team agreed to create a flyer promoting safe and
 responsible cannabis use. A draft of this flyer was distributed at the BOH
 meeting, and members provided specific feedback on ways to enhance it before
 it goes public. Charley will convey these suggestions to the communications
 team as they work on the final version. Additionally, Charley shared his plans to
 draft an article for a future weekly e-newsletter, which will include information
 on how Skokie residents can obtain a free lockable cannabis bag.

 Dr. Lupovitch advised individuals to be aware of any potential interactions
 between cannabis and their current prescription medications, and to understand
 how cannabis may affect those medications. He also shared that individuals must
 be specific about the experience they want from cannabis products, to ensure
 that they are using the appropriate cannabis products.

 B. Backyard Chickens: The Board of Health (BOH) was assigned to review the
 current prohibition on backyard chickens and provide a consensus
 recommendation on whether the Village should continue or repeal the ban.
 Before the meeting, the BOH received several documents and background
 information on backyard chickens, including a Health and Human Services
 recommendation to maintain the prohibition, the Sustainability Environmental
 Advisory Commission’s recommendation to repeal it, the City of Evanston’s
 chicken ordinance, and various pro-chicken advocacy resources.

 After discussion, Dr. Williams moved that "the BOH recommend maintaining the
 prohibition of chickens in Skokie." Dr. Werner seconded the motion, and after
 further deliberation, a vote was held. The motion passed with nine votes in favor
 and three opposed.

VII. New Business: No new business.

VIII. Public Comments: No public comment.

IX. Adjournment at 8:20 PM

 Next Regular Meeting: November 14, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m.




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