Human Relations Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2025-03-24

Human Relations Commission
 Monday, March 24, 2025
 6:30pm

Location: Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street – Conference Room D & E (2nd Floor)

 AGENDA

I. Call to Order


II. Approval of Agenda


III. Public Comments


IV. Approval of February 24, 2024 Meeting Minutes


V. Committee Reports

 A. Neighbor Engagement Committee
 1. Block Party Forum: DATE CHANGE – Thursday, 4/24
 2. Block Parties
 3. 4th of July Parade

 B. Fair Housing Committee
 1. Housing Subcommittee
 2. Fair Housing Ordinance

 C. Equity and Diversity Committee
 1. Early Intervention in Hate/Bias Incidents
 2. Unite Against Racism w/ YWCA
 3. Skokie Festival of Cultures
 4. Women’s History Event


VI. Other Items of Business
 A. Village Seal Redesign
VII. Adjourn


 Next Meeting: April 28, 2025, 6:30pm at Village Hall 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie IL. 60077

Human Relations Commission
 Monday, March 24, 2025

 Minutes

Location: Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street – Conference Room D & E (2nd Floor)

In Attendance: Commissioners: Anthony Agee, Gurjot Bilkhu, Sheryl Bloom Basile, Alex Chaparro, David
Donegan, Jonathan Lavin, Marcos Levy, Maria Monastero Bueno (chair), Swarupa Pahan, Jeremy Segall,
Margaret van Steenderen, Skokie Staff Liaison: Amanda Sabri

Not in Attendance: Sheila Crumrine (E), Carl Johnson (E), Josef Meyers (E), Karen Sherman (E), Valeriya Slutskaya
(E), James Specker, Brad Sugar (E), Trustee Khem Khoeun (E)

I. Call to Order: 6:40PM


II. Approval of Agenda:
 A. Sheryl Bloom Basile motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Margaret
 van Steenderen. All were in favor and the motion carried.


III. Public Comments
 A. No public comments given.


IV. Approval of February 24, 2024 Meeting Minutes:
 A. Margaret van Steenderen motioned to approve the minutes as written. The motion was
 seconded by Sheryl Bloom Basile. All were in favor and the motion carried.


V. Committee Reports

 A. Neighbor Engagement Committee:
 1. Block Party Forum and Awards: Maria Monastero Bueno reminded the commission that
 the Block Party of the Year awards will be presented at the Board of Trustees meeting on
 Monday, April 7. Commissioners are encouraged to attend and arrive at 7:15pm. Amanda Sabri
 provided an update on the Block Party Forum, noting that the date has been changed to
 Thursday, April 24. The event will continue to take place at the Skokie Library in the Business
 and Community Room. Commissioners are also encouraged to attend this even and are
 recommended to arrive at 6:00pm to assist with set-up. The event will be promoted through
 the Village’s communication’s department.
 2. Block Parties: Amanda Sabri reminded the commission that all registered block parties
 are tracked on a google spreadsheet which all commissioners have been given access to. Best
 practices on attending block parties during the summer months was discussed.
 3. 4th of July Parade: Swarupa Pahan provided an update that she will register the
 commission for the 4th of July Parade. It was agreed that the commission will participate by
 walking as a group again this year, rather than using a vehicle. If permitted, the information
 that the commission will have parade organizers read will be as follows: “The Human Relations
 Commission promotes understanding and respect among residents of diverse racial, religious,
 and ethnic backgrounds. It educates the community on Fair Housing rights, enforces Skokie's
 Fair Housing ordinance, and encourages neighbor engagement through block parties by
 providing guidance on hosting and highlighting their benefits.” In regards to items that will be
 given away during the parade, the commission decided that multicolored bracelets and lollipops
 will be given away. The bracelets will be ordered in bulk so that they can be used at Festival of
 Cultures as well as Skokie Pride and they will say “Human Relations Commission” on one side
 and “Skokie Spirit” on the other side. Amanda Sabri will research several multi-colored bracelet
 options and allow the commission to vote on the options.

B. Fair Housing Committee
 1. Housing Subcommittee: Jon Lavin reports that he is on a subcommittee within the
 Housing Subcommittee of the Plan Commission that will be looking at the feasibility of
 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Skokie. They are proposing to look at the current ordinance
 that Evanston has to address ADUs and adjust this to fit the needs of Skokie.
 2. Fair Housing: Margaret van Steenderen and Jon Lavin reviewed the social media posts
 that were developed by Valeriya Slutskaya. Commissioners had the opportunity to review the
 posts prior to the meeting and again during the meeting. All were in favor of the posts being
 sent to the Village’s communications department with the request that they be posted during
 April, which is Fair Housing Awareness month.

C. Equity and Diversity Committee
 1. Early Intervention in Hate/Bias Incidents: Amanda Sabri provided an update that the
 Procedure for Early Identification and Intervention in Initial Incidents of Hate was presented to
 the Board of Trustees at the March 17 board meeting by Corporation Council, Michael Lorge,
 and Director of Health & Human Services, Mike Charley. Amanda will speak with Skokie Police
 Chief, Jesse Barnes, to determine when the most recent hate and bias incident data may be
 available to bring to the commission, with the possibility of the data being presented at the May
 commission meeting. Maria Monastero Bueno brought up the possibility of the May 19 meeting
 being moved to an alternate date. Amanda Sabri will send out several date possibilities via
 email so commissioners can choose a new May meeting date or keep it on May 19.
 2. Unite Against Racism w/ YWCA: Maria Monastero Bueno informed the commission that
 YWCA has sent out ‘save-the-date’ information regarding the Unite Against Racism program for
 2015. The program will take place on April 28 and will be titled: Cultivating Hope and Inspiring
 Action in the Era of Authoritarianism. The panel speakers for the event have not been
 announced. Commissioners discussed whether to request that this event be formally promoted
 through the village’s communication’s department. Margaret van Steenderen motioned to not
 move forward with promotion of this event at this time due to lack of event details. The motion
 was seconded by Gurjot Bilkhu. All were in favor and the motion passed.
 3. Skokie Festival of Cultures: Amanda Sabri provided an update that the commission is
 registered to have a table at this festival, which will take place on May 17 & 18. A sign-up for
 participation will be brought to the April meeting. Commissioners confirmed that bracelets will
 be given away at the table and the commission will have a large map available where residents
 can place a pin in the country where they are from or places they have traveled to.
 4. Women’s History Event: Maria Monastero Bueno reminded commissioners to register
 for the Women’s History Walk, which the commission is sponsoring with the Skokie Heritage
 Museum. The walk will take place on March 30 from 10:00am-12:00pm. Those interested can
 register online or by contacting the Skokie Heritage Museum at 847-929-8001. The walk will
 begin at the Skokie Heritage Museum, 8031 Floral Avenue.


VI. Other Items of Business
 A. Village Seal Redesign: Maria Monastero Bueno provided an update that the new Village Seal was
 officially adopted by the Village Board at the Board of Trustees meeting on March 13.


VII. Adjourn 7:05PM