Board of Health — Skokie, IL
Date: 2025-10-09

Skokie Board of Health
 Thursday, October 9, 2025
 7:00 pm
 Police Department
 Training Room
 7300 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL 60077

 AGENDA

I. Call to Order

II. Approval of Agenda

III. Approval of Minutes: September 11, 2025 Meeting


IV. New Member & Trustee Liaison Introductions

V. BOH Chair Updates, Dr. Edward Linn

VI. Health and Human Services Program Presentation;
 Communicable Disease Program - Jenn Davis-Spells

VII. Health and Human Services (HHS) Updates, Jenn Davis-Spells,
 Community Health Supervisor

VIII. Old Business

IX. New Business

X. Public Comment (3 minutes per person)

XI. Adjournment

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




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Skokie Board of Health
 Thursday, October 9, 2025
 7:00pm

 Skokie Police Department
 7300 Niles Center Road
 Training Room


 MINUTES

In attendance: Dr. Swapna Dave, Dr. Sarah Franks, Dr. Bruce Gaynes, Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker,
Dr. Michael Gottesman, Maureen Hanlon, Margaret Keeler, Dr. Edward Linn (Chair), Rohit
Pandya, Dr. Kyungren Shim, Dr. Romil Sood, Patricia Urbanus, Ruth Varma, Sibyl Yau (Vice-
Chair), Staff Liaison: Jennifer Davis-Spells (in place of Michael Charley)

Not in attendance: Juliet Haido, Dr. Girijia Kalyan Kumar, Dr. Stephen Lupovitch, Irtaza Usman,
Dr. William Werner, Dr. Larry Williams, Staff Liaison: Michael Charley; Trustee: Lissa Levy

 I. Call to Order @ 7:08 PM

  II. Approval of Agenda: Approved by Consent without any objection.

 III. Approval of Minutes: September 11, 2025 Meeting: Approved by Consent without any
 objection.

 IV. New Member Introductions: Dr. Sarah Franks gave short introduction of self, works For
 Evanston Health Department in communicable disease and responds specifically with
 the Long-Term Care facilities, Dialysis Centers, and Hospital in multi-drug resistance
 organisms (MDROs). Works with facilities to identify and strengthen infection
 prevention strategies. Dr. Franks has been a Skokie resident since 2020, but officially
 moved into a home in 2022. She looks forward to working with everyone to make
 Skokie informed and resilient.

 Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker gave a short introduction of self. He is a full-time Information
 Scientist Librarian at the University of Illinois Chicago and Liaison for Dentistry as well as
 an adjunct professor at the Oakton College Nursing Program helping students navigate
 PubMed. Jimmy volunteered at the call center for Skokie Village Hall during COVID.

  V. BOH Chair Updates, Dr. Edward Linn: Grateful for being Skokie resident, attended the
 Village of Skokie Community Flu Vaccine Clinic and received his flu shot today. Gave
 positive reviews of the clinic, how quickly he was in and out, very efficient, and how
 grateful he is for living in Skokie and impressed with the Skokie Health Department. Dr.
 Linn was appointed by the Governor of Illinois to the Immunization Advisory Committee
 for Illinois Department of Public Health. They’ve decided to part from the CDC and FDA



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 recommendations for COVID vaccines. In Illinois (IL), there are no barriers to receiving
 the COVID vaccine. IL Governor also mandated health insurance companies to cover the
 COVID vaccine in the state of IL.

 As a supplement to the information Dr. Linn provided regarding the COVID vaccines in
 IL, Jennifer Davis-Spells informed the BOH that IDPH sent out a survey regarding the
 willingness and ability to vaccinate the general public with COVID vaccines regardless of
 Vaccines for Children/Adult Immunization Program eligibility. Skokie submitted 100%
 willingness to vaccinate Skokie residents if IDPH provides the COVID Vaccines.

 Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker inquired if there are any articles or promotions of the COVID
 vaccine to Skokie residents and Jennifer Davis-Spells responded that articles are lined up
 and pending release, dependent on the priority of information releases for each weekly
 theScoop article.

 Dr. Linn is appalled at the information and concerns being released by the federal
 government in regards to medical correlations/associations. Dr. Linn further explained
 processes of science experiments and research. Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker asked whether
 there are opportunities to educate the public, such as publishing informational articles
 to address misinformation disseminated by the federal government.

 VI. Health and Human Services Program Presentation – Communicable Disease Program
 Updates, Jennifer Davis-Spells, Community Health Supervisor: Davis-Spells provided a
 brief overview of Communicable Disease Program. Discussed Illinois Disease
 Surveillance System (IDSS) which has taken the place of INEDSS. Updated trends over
 the last year include increased case numbers of Chlamydia and congenital syphilis,
 falling in line with state and national trends. Currently, IDPH screens for syphilis based
 on a risk-based assessment. As a response to a single case of congenital syphilis in
 Skokie about a year ago, Skokie HHS has worked with Endeavor Health to implement
 standard screenings of syphilis during first and third trimesters, as well as at birth of the
 infant instead of a risk-based screening implementation. The fact is, many moms and
 families, do not have an accurate understanding of their risk level, which prevents
 necessary screening. For informational purposes, several immune conditions can cause
 a false positive for Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) syphilis screenings which may create
 confusion for the families if not educated properly. Skokie HHS has an email distribution
 list for Skokie medical providers and Infection Preventionists where we send out
 pertinent information and updates.

 Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker suggested we connect with high schools and equity offices to
 educate high school students regarding STIs and public health crises. Dr. Linn
 responded that it is logical to assume that the required health classes at the high
 schools are teaching sexual health modules. Jennifer Davis-Spells responded that Skokie
 HHS has partnered with various agencies to provide pop-up STI screening clinics that are
 free to the public, no ID, no medical insurance, and no appointment required. These STI
 clinics are also promoted at the high schools, Oakton College, social media, Weekly



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 Scoop, Skokie Website, and hard copies distributed to surrounding organizations such as
 the Skokie Library, Niles Township, and Respite Center.

 Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker suggested Skokie become more active in the community with
 setting up STI screenings at community events, bars, social places. Margaret Keeler
 responded that these programs do exist through Cook County, and Jennifer Davis-Spells
 added that Skokie HHS utilizes three partnering organizations to provide STI screenings
 every other month.

 Jennifer Davis-Spells provided an overview of the Community Flu Vaccine Clinics held
 today, Thursday October 9. Over 565 vaccines provided today at our community flu
 clinic utilizing HHS Staff, Oakton RN Students, MRC Volunteers, and one NorthPark
 Clinical nursing student.

 Upcoming events include (flyers distributed to BOH members for each event):
 • Next Thursday, October 16 3pm – 7pm – Community Flu Vaccine Clinic
 • Monday, October 20, STI pop up screening clinic
 • Friday, November 7, LiveWell AgeWell Skokie Senior Resource Fair
 • December (Date TBD) – STI Pop up screening clinic

VII. Old Business: None

VIII. New Business

 Electric bikes, electric scooters, gokarts: Patricia Urbanus distributed an article that was
 published in the Skokie Review. Patricia Urbanus has already had connection with
 Mayor Ann Tennes, City Manager John Lockerby, Village Trustee Lissa Levy. This item
 has been assigned to Police Chief Jesse Barnes for further research on surrounding
 municipalities ordinances. Helmet use was discussed, it was suggested that raising the
 age of riders and requiring a class for riders may be helpful in encouraging helmet use.

 Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker suggested providing an official recommendation as a
 commission to the Village to research and pass ordinance. Patricia Urbanus and Dr. Linn
 responded that no recommendation is needed as it has already been assigned to Police
 Chief Jesse Barnes for further assessment and the City Manager, Mayor, and Trustee
 Liaison have all acknowledged receipt and concern of this issue.

 Members shared their personal experiences with electric bikes and vehicles to illustrate
 the associated hazards.

 Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker reiterated his belief of highlighting the public health crisis these
 bikes create. Dr. Linn replied that all necessary parties are already involved and
 suggested it’s a huge opportunity for public education.




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 Flu Clinics/Senior Social Activity Room: Maureen Hanlon brought up the Skokie Park
 District has closed out the Senior Social Activity Room for their programming for the
 Community Flu Clinics. Asked when does Oakton Community Center know about the
 dates of the flu clinic? Jennifer Davis-Spells stated that Skokie HHS collaborates with
 Skokie Park District for approval of dates in January and the Park District also helps
 promote event. Jennifer Davis-Spells shared that she can reach out to the Skokie Park
 District to inquire whether they notify their patrons when activities and/or programs are
 affected other activities.

 Upcoming Science Fair: Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker shared that he has been invited to be a
 judge for a science fair in March 2026. He recommended that the BOH and/or HHS be
 involved in the science fair somehow. Jenn Davis-Spells recommended that Gonzalez-
 Vicker reach out to Mike Charley, Director of HHS prior to the next BOH meeting to
 discuss whether this would be an appropriate agenda item.

 IX. Public Comment (3 minutes per person): None

  X. Adjournment @ 8:10pm

 Next Regular Meeting: November 13, 2025 @ 7:00pm




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