Board of Health — Skokie, IL
Date: 2025-02-13

Skokie Board of Health
 Thursday, February 13, 2025
 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: November 14, 2024 Meeting

IV. BOH Chair Updates – Respiratory Viruses Update, Dr. Edward Linn

V. Health and Human Services Updates, Mike Charley
 A. HHS Grant Funding Presentation

VI. Old Business
 A. Backyard Chickens – Update from November 18, 2024 Village Board Meeting

VII. New Business
 A. Dr. Stephen Lupovitch Introduction/Biography
 B. Skokie Health Equity Symposium (March 11, 2025)

VIII. Public Comments

IX. Adjournment

 Next Regular Meeting: March 13, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m.




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Skokie Board of Health
 Thursday, February 13, 2025
 7:00 pm

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



 MINUTES

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

I. Call to Order @ 7:03 PM

II. Approval of Agenda: Approved, first by Sook, Second by Werner

III. Approval of Minutes: November 14, 2024 Meeting – Approved, first by Sood, second by Werner

IV. BOH Chair Updates – Respiratory Viruses Update, Dr. Edward Linn: Dr. Linn emphasized the
 continued recommendation for certain age groups, particularly immunocompromised
 individuals, to receive their COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. He noted that this flu season has been
 especially severe—one of the worst in decades—while flu vaccine uptake remains low.
 Additionally, Dr. Linn highlighted the growing concern over the spread of H5N1 (avian influenza)
 among chickens, which certainly supports the BOH’s recommendation to retain the prohibition
 on backyard chickens, particularly because human infections typically result from direct contact
 with infected poultry. Regarding COVID-19, cases are currently lower this season, but individuals
 aged 65 and older are advised to receive an additional vaccine dose four months after their last
 dose to strengthen protection against severe illness. Dr. Linn also reported an increase in
 norovirus cases, emphasizing that hand sanitizer is ineffective against the virus; instead,
 thorough handwashing with soap and water is recommended. Finally, he reiterated that flu,
 RSV, and COVID-19 vaccines remain recommended during pregnancy, as they can provide vital
 protection for both the mother and the unborn child.

V. Health and Human Services Updates, Mike Charley: Charley provided the following general
 updates:
 • Skokie was selected as one of seven municipalities from around the country to
 participate in the Strong Cities Network Prevention Academy. The academy consists of a
 series of monthly meetings and modules that use a public health approach to develop
 community-driven prevention strategies regarding hate and extremism. Charley shared
 that HHS, the Law Department and the Human Relations Commission are currently
 developing a Policy for Early Identification of Hate-Related Incidents.
 • HHS partnered with Advocate Healthcare to provide flu vaccine to 10 Skokie schools.
 • HHS continues to provide flu vaccine for the homebound and are planning on
 purchasing COVID-19 vaccine to be administered to Skokie’s homebound.
 • In November, HHS and the Medical Reserve Corps hosted a Stop-the-Bleed Course
 • In December HHS partnered with Versiti Blood Center to host a blood drive at the Skokie
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 Police station.
 • HHS recently received a new MRC Operational Readiness grant of $5,000 to fund
 purchase of CPR materials and choking educational supplies.
 • In December, the MRC held a quarterly meeting where they received Active Shooter
 training.
 • HHS held their annual Assist a Family Gift Card event in December providing holiday gift
 cards to low-income Skokie residents.
 • HHS Grant Funding Presentation: Mike provided an overview of the grants that HHS are
 currently receiving through various agencies. There are currently 15 different grants
 with an anticipated revenue of $633,176 for FY26.

VI. Old Business
 • Backyard Chickens – Update from November 18, 2024 Village Board Meeting: Charley
 related that Dr. Ed Linn presented the BOH’s recommendation, as voted on at the BOH’s
 October 10, 2024 meeting, where the BOH concluded their evaluation and voted to
 recommend that the Village uphold the current prohibition on backyard chickens. The
 Village Board asked questions, had discussions on the issue and ultimately decided to
 support the current ban on backyard chickens.

VII. New Business
 • Dr. Stephen Lupovitch Introduction/Biography: Dr. Lupovitch provided a short
 introduction to BOH members. Dr. Lupovitch has lived in Skokie for 29+ years with his
 wife and several children, his occupation is as a cardiologist and is employed by
 Endeavor Health. He currently runs a small cardiovascular research department as part
 of his cardiologist practice. He got his M.D. degree from the University of Michigan
 Medical School.
 • Skokie Health Equity Symposium (March 11, 2025): Charley provided that several
 members of the BOH have been invited to participate in this year’s symposium. The
 symposium will provide HHS as well as the Skokie Health Equity Network (SHEN) and
 opportunity to share updates to a group of Skokie-area health
 stakeholders/organizations from HHS’s Community Health Improvement Plan. State
 Senator Laura Fine has also been invited to present at the symposium. The symposium is
 being funded through the Skokie Community Foundation.

VIII. Public Comments: None

IX. Adjournment @ 8:05 PM, first by Hanlon, second by Sood

 Next Regular Meeting: March 13, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m.




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