Human Relations Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2022-05-23

Human Relations Commission
 Monday, May 23rd, 2022
 7:15pm


 Members of the Human Relations Commission


 AGENDA



I. Call to Order

II. Approval of Agenda

III. Approval of Minutes: April 25th, 2022

IV. Chair’s Report, Maria Monastero Bueno

 A. Sub Co-Chairs from Committees

 i. Festival Of Cultures May 21st and May 22nd 11am -6pm

 ii. Skokie Pride June 26th 1-4pm Sheila Update

V. Old/New Items of Business

 i. Block Party of the Year Awards-Emails sent out to 16 applicants for photos
 ii. Farmers Market Sign Up-Via email in June via sign up genius from Family Services

VI. Adjournment



Next Meeting: June 27th, 2022 6:30pm AT VILLAGE HALL 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie IL. 60077

Human Relations Commission
 Monday, May 23rd, 2022
 7:15pm


 In Person 5127 Oakton St. Skokie, IL. 60077


 MINUTES
Present: Deborah Arnold, Sheila Crumrine, Jonathan Lavin, Jim McVane, Amy Memis-
Foler, Swarupa Pahan, Karen Sherman, Moe Yanes, Trustee Khem Khoeun Chair:
Maria Monastero Bueno and Liaison Iris Barrios

Not present (E) = Excused: Dephnee Camilien (E), Alexander Chaparro (E), David
Donegan, Jaili Fajardo, Krishna Goyal, Anwar Haq, Marcos Levy, Louis Mercer,
Michelle Reitman (E), Pearl Rubenzik, Jeremy Segall (E) James Specker (E)


Meeting Called to Order at 7:20pm

Approval of the Minutes by Jonathan Lavin and second by Karen Sherman

Coming Together
Iris put together a Coming Together video from the photos sent from the Human
Relations Commissioners. Video was shown to the HRC. Members commented on the
photos and the work that is being done from the Douglas Center from what they learned
from the event. Coming Together video to be shared with Ann Tennes.

Subcommittee Updates:
   Alex C. not in attendance for the Block Party Forum update. Due to date
 proximity of June, HRC will hold off on a Block Party Forum. It was suggested to
 post Block Party information in the Skokie E-News. Block Party of the Year
 Award to be Voted in June.
   Jim attended the Festival of Cultures. Stated there were many age groups. Karen
 also attended. Stated that the Festival was much small than in previous years.
 Their booklet was toned down. HRC members who attended stated that the acts
 were great and very focused on the cultures. The community did come out in full
 support.
   Shelia provided an update on Skokie Pride. Sheila has been in communication
 with Cassie Scheffer about a table, tent and chairs for no charge. Donations are
 accepted. It will be a block party type of feel with food trucks, drag queen, drag
 king shows, games, bouncy houses and to support Skokie families. Iris to order
 the pinwheels and flags. HRC members agreed to have the items to pass out at
 the table. Iris tried to show the QR code that James emailed but it was not
 coming up. The QR code will be on the stick of each pinwheel and flag for the
 event. Paper copy also available as well. QR code will direct residents to the
 HRC webpage. Skokie Pride will be June 26th from 1-4pm at Oakton Park.
 Deborah agreed to participate 3-4pm Karen, Sheila, Iris and Maria to be in
 attendance for 1-4pm.

Old Business/Updates
Jonathan attended his block’s BEAT meeting. Jonathan agreed the PD station would be
a great location for the block party forum. Jonathan provided an update on Neil King
and a background story of how Armond King receieved a letter in the mail from his bank
and liked the photo/logo. Also, gave a background about the Skokie Lagoons.

New Business
Amy provided an update about Coming Together Skokie-Niles. There was a meeting
the past Thursday. Amy let the HRC group the final updates from the Coming Together
Committee. From the Coming Together Core Partners and the successful 2022 year, it
will be the final year for Coming Together. The final breakfast will be held on May 26th at
9am.

Jonathan spoke about the shooting on Main St. and the effects it is having on their
neighbors. Amy brought up how Know Your Neighbor and Block Parties are encouraged
during these times. Community efforts and Beat meetings to be informed as well.
Conversations about how violence in Skokie is a high percent non-Skokie residents.
Conversation about bringing in Officer Wilken and Co-Responder Program Brian and
Officer Blu to next meeting. Iris to reach out about their availibility for June’s meeting.

Next meeting brought up the next topic. Usually for June it is a pot luck due to July and
August having a break. Chair Maria asked the group if they would like to have a pot
luck. As a group, they felt as if the meeting should stay as is. Even with access to the
lunch room and open space in the courtyard, in order for everyone to stay safe and
comfortable, it was best to limit the food.

Iris gave an update on the sign-up genius for the Farmer’s Market. Once Iris gets the
sign up genius from Melissa V from Family Services in June, Iris will forward the sign up
to the group via email. Melissa let Iris know that the sign up will not be ready until June.

Jim let the group know about SEED. His SEED has completed. He attended on
Saturdays at the library. He had a great experience with his co-hort.

Jonathan stated that he was really impressed with Stand Against Racism and what it
brought up for him during the Stand and the post discussion. Swarupa joined in the
discussion about the post discussion and how a community member brought up a hate
group in Skokie. Trustee Khem and Amy brought more to the table about the hate group
and their coded language that is being used to try to get onto Skokie school boards.
HRC members would like to learn more on how to be informed about the coded
language and what can be done. Bringing in the anti-defamation league to HRC
meeting was discussed and about the safety for the children. Amy spoke about JAB
leaflets being previously passed out in Skokie and the ADL being contacted.
At the end of the meeting, Amy made an anouncement that she and her family will be
moving at the end of June/early July. The exact date is not known at this time. Due to
the move and the next meeting date, Amy will not be able to attend the next HRC June
meeting. Amy expressed her gratitude to her HRC members and her time spent with
HRC. Many of the members went one by one and the experience that they have shared
getting to know Amy throughout the years, either the last 13 years or even in the last
recent months. Moe let the group know that Amy’s last service will be on June 3rd at
6:30pm. HRC members are invited to join.

Next meeting will be Monday, June 27th at Village Hall

Adjournment at 8:38pm by Amy, Sheila second