Human Relations Commission

Human Relations Commission Monday, January 27, 2025 Minutes Location: Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street – Conference Room D & E (2nd Floor) In Attendance: Commissioners: Sheryl Bloom Basile, Gurjot Bilkhu, Alex Chaparro, Sheila Crumrine (vice-chair), David Donegan, Carl Johnson, Jonathan Lavin, Maria Monastero Bueno (chair), Swarupa Pahan, Jeremy Segall, Karen Sherman, Valeriya Slutskaya, James Specker, Brad Sugar, Margaret van Steenderen, Trustee Khem Khoeun, Skokie Staff Liaison: Amanda Sabri Not in Attendance: Anthony Agee, Marcos Levy, Josef Meyers (E) I. Call to Order: 6:30 PM II. Approval of Agenda A. Sheila Crumrine motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Alex Chaparro. All were in favor and the motion carried. III. Presentation on the Policy for Early Identification and Intervention in Initial Incidents of Hate A. Corporation Counsel, Michael Lorge, Trustee Khem Khoeun, and staff liaison, Amanda Sabri, presented the Policy for Early Identification and Intervention in Initial Incidents of Hate. The commission was informed about why the policy was developed, key components of the policy, and responsibilities of the Human Relations Commission laid out in the policy. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the policy and provided feedback. IV. Public Comments A. No public comments given. V. Approval of Minutes of December 9, 2024 Meeting. A. Sheryl Bloom Basile motioned to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by James Specker. All were in favor and the motion carried. VI. Committee Reports 1 A. Neighbor Engagement Committee 1. Block Party of the Year Award Recognition: The commission was notified that the Block Party of the Year Award winners will be honored at Board of Trustees meeting on April 7, 2025 at 7:30pm. 2. Block Party Forum: Alex Chaparro provided an update that planning for the Block Party Forum has begun. Once the location is finalized, Alex will notify the commission of the date, likely in March or April. Meeting space at either the Skokie Library or Skokie Park District buildings are being considered. Promotion through Village social media channels will begin once the date and location are finalized. 3. Block Party of the Year Award Applications and Judging Process: Brad Sugar shared suggestions on a rubric for judging the Block Party of the Year Award finalists and recommendations on guidance to be given to the applicants so that the submissions would be more consistent. Maria Monastero Bueno explained that historically judging of the awards has been approached more subjectively than objectively. Commissioners provided information on how information about the finalists had been communicated in the past that would be helpful for future years, including having the slideshow of finalists emailed ahead of time and a list of block parties with highlighted events printed for the voting process. Commissioners and staff also discussed the practice of commissioners attending block parties throughout the summer. Amanda Sabri will ensure that all commissioners have access to the live Google spreadsheet that contains the information about block parties that have requested permits. Commissioners will add their name to the appropriate column if they plan to attend a particular block party. B. Housing Committee: Jon Lavin announced that Margaret van Steenderen has agreed to co-lead the Housing Committee with him. 1. Housing Subcommittee: Jon Lavin reported that the Housing Sub-Committee of the Plan Commission met on January 2nd and will be meeting quarterly. Jon has also been placed on a sub, sub-committee that will meet on matters related to accessory housing. 2. Fair Housing Ordinance: While Corporation Counsel, Michael Lorge, was present at the meeting, Jon Lavin requested confirmation of the commission’s role in hearing fair housing complaints. Michael Lorge provided an overview of the commission’s role, as is detailed in Skokie’s Fair Housing ordinance, and explained that he would provide guidance, as needed, to the commission if a complaint is brought forth. A fair housing training developed by Margaret van Steenderen will be presented at the following meeting. C. Equity and Diversity Committee 1. Early Intervention Hate/Bias Incidence: Presentation on the current draft of the Policy for Early Identification and Intervention in Initial Incidents of Hate was presented at the beginning of the meeting. 2. Skokie Pride: Sheila Crumrine provided an update that the commission is now registered for a table at this event, which will take place on June 22, 2025 from 1-4pm at Oakton Park. 3. Women’s History Month: Sheila Crumrine provided an overview of this event and updated the commission that the walk will take place on March 30, 2025 from 10am-12pm. The 2  walk will have room for 20-40 participants. All promotional materials will indicate that the walk is being sponsored by the Human Relations Commission. VII. Other Items of Business A. Village Seal Redesign: Maria Monastero Bueno provided an update that the Village Seal Committee will be meeting again tomorrow, January 28, to continue fine tuning the design. B. Skokie Police Use of Force Review Board: James Specker reported that he will be meeting with Chief Barnes and one other person from the commission to finalize the report before it is brought to the Board of Trustees. After that is completed it can be shared with the Human Relations Commission. C. Maria reminded the commission that the Boards & Commissions Reception is set for Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 6:00pm. Commissioners will receive an official invitation from the Mayor’s office via email in the coming weeks. D. Swarupa Pahan asked if election of a new Mayor impacts the appointments of commissioners. It was indicated that commissioner’s reappointments would likely be reviewed at the end of their term, as is the current practice. VIII. Adjourn: 8:30 PM 3