Human Relations Commission

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