Human Relations Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-05-20

Human Relations Commission
 Monday, May 20, 2024
 6:30pm

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

 AGENDA

I. Call to Order


II. Approval of Agenda


III. Approval of Minutes of April 29, 2024


IV. Committee Reports

 A. Neighbor Engagement Committee
 1. Block Parties, Block Party Forum
 2. Know your Neighbor
 3. 4th of July Parade

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

 C. Equity and Diversity Committee Updates
 1. Early Intervention Hate/Bias Incidence
 2. Black History Month
 3. Unite Against Racism w/ YWCA
 4. Skokie Festival of Cultures
 5. Skokie Juneteenth
 6. Skokie Pride
 7. SEED Training


V. Other Items of Business
 A. Village Seal Redesign
 B. Skokie Police Use of Force Review Board


VI. Adjourn



Next Meeting: June 24, 2024, 6:30pm at Village Hall 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie IL. 60077

Human Relations Commission
 Monday, May 20, 2024
 6:30pm

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

In Attendance: Commissioners: Deborah Arnold, Sheryl Bloom Basile, Sheila Crumrine (vice-chair), David
Donegan, Krishna Goyal, Jonathan Lavin, Marcos Levy, Joseph Meyers, Maria Monastero Bueno (chair), Swarupa
Pahan, Jeremy Segall, James Specker, Skokie Staff Liaison: Amanda Sabri

Not in Attendance: Anthony Agee (E), Alex Chaparro (E), Karen Sherman, Mayha Syed, Trustee Khem Khoeun (E)



I. Call to Order 6:35pm


II. Approval of Agenda
 A. Sheryl Bloom Basile motioned to approve the agenda, motion seconded by David Donegan.


III. Approval of Minutes of April 29, 2024
 A. Deborah Arnold motioned to approve the minutes as written, motion seconded by Swarupa
 Pahan.


IV. Committee Reports

 A. Neighbor Engagement Committee: Maria Monastero Bueno provided an update that Alex
 Chaparro has decided to step down from heading the Neighbor Engagement Committee. She
 thanked Alex for all of his work with the Block Party Forum and requested that any
 commissioners who are interested in leading this committee please make this known at our next
 meeting.
 1. Block Parties, Block Party Forum: No updates on the Block Party Forum at this time.
 Amanda Sabri reported that several block party permit applications have been received so far.
 2. Know your Neighbor: No updates.
 3. 4th of July Parade: Swarupa Pahan reports that she will provide updates as she receives
 them from the 4th of July Parade Committee regarding our registration. Commission members
 discussed what should be handed out at the parade and it was decided that wristbands and
 candy would be handed out. Amanda Sabri will research wristband options and reach out to
 commission members by email for feedback. Commissioners also discussed the broader topic of
 how to convey to community members the mission of the Human Relations Commission
 through items that are handed out as well as through talking points at events. It was
 determined that this should be discussed further at the next meeting.




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 B. Housing Committee Updates
 1. Housing Subcommittee: Jon Lavin reported that the next meeting was rescheduled for
 this week and they will likely adopt the current draft of the Housing Chapter.
 2. Fair Housing Ordinance: No updates.

 C. Equity and Diversity Committee Updates
 1. Early Intervention Hate/Bias Incidence: Amanda Sabri provided an update that Mike
 Charley, Director of Health & Human Services has written a draft policy that was shared with
 Michael Lorge, Corporation Council, Trustee Khoeun and Chief Jesse Barnes. They will be
 meeting on 5/22/24 to discuss the draft policy and next steps.
 2. Black History Month: Sheila Crumrine reports that she plans to reach out to Oakton
 College in September to discuss cosponsoring an event.
 3. Unite Against Racism w/ YWCA: No updates.
 4. Skokie Festival of Cultures: Maria Monastero Bueno thanked all who attended and
 assisted at the event. Positive feedback was given on the wristbands and stickers that were
 handed out. It was discussed that at future festivals the commission could partner with the
 library to create a map or display where children and families can put their country sticker or
 indicate their country of origin or country they have visited. It was also discussed that the
 commission would like to request permission to be one of the entries in the festival passport
 that requires a stamp, as this would provide more visibility.
 5. Skokie Juneteenth: Sheila Crumrine provided fliers for the Fair Housing Program that the
 commission is planning with the Skokie Public Library. Commission members also discussed
 feedback that was received regarding the event at the Skokie Festival of Cultures. David
 Donegan, who will be moderating the event, encouraged members to attend and hear the
 experiences of the first African American families who moved to Skokie. Alex Chaparro will be
 taking part in the panel discussion at the program to discuss real estate practices.
 6. Skokie Pride: Sheila Crumrine reported that the Skokie Park District stated they will
 likely not be charging the commission for a table. The event will take place at Oakton Park.
 Amanda Sabri will send out a sign-up list via email.
 7. SEED Training: David Donegan reports the last session will be taking place in June and he
 will email the application link to commission members when the new session opens.


V. Other Items of Business
 A. Village Seal Redesign: Maria Monastero Bueno provided an update that the committee has
 selected and met with designer Marne Smiley of Bumper Lanes and will be meeting with her
 again next week. She will be presenting several new designs at that meeting after receiving
 feedback from committee members.
 B. Skokie Police Use of Force Review Board: James Specker reported that the board is on hiatus for
 the summer and they will reconvene when new data is received.


VI. Adjourn 7:40pm




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