Human Relations Commission

Human Relations Commission Monday, April 28, 2025 Minutes Location: Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street – Conference Room D & E (2nd Floor) In Attendance: Commissioners: Gurjot Bilkhu, Sheryl Bloom Basile, David Donegan, Carl Johnson, Jonathan Lavin, Marcos Levy, Josef Meyers, Maria Monastero Bueno (chair), Valeriya Slutskaya, Brad Sugar, Skokie Staff Liaison: Amanda Sabri Not in Attendance: Anthony Agee (E), Alex Chaparro (E), Sheila Crumrine (E), Swarupa Pahan (E), Jeremy Segall (E), Margaret van Steenderen (E) I. Call to Order: 6:40pm II. Updates and Announcements A. Maria Monastero Bueno provided an update that Karen Sherman & James Specker have resigned from the commission. Maria also indicated that the commission has not yet been assigned a new Trustee Liaison after the recent board elections. III. Approval of Agenda A. Carl Johnson motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Joseph Meyers. All were in favor and the motion carried. IV. Public Comments A. Skokie resident Kristine Cabuang was present and stated she came to learn more about the Human Relations Commission and how she can contribute to the Skokie community. A second Skokie resident, Deeba Mohammedi, also joined the meeting stating she is an IT professional who is interested in learning more about the commission’s work. V. Approval of March 24, 2024 Meeting Minutes A. Sheryl Bloom Basile motioned to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Gujot Bilkhu. All were in favor and the motion carried. VI. Committee Reports A. Neighbor Engagement Committee 1. Block Party Forum & Block Parties: Maria Monastero Bueno provided an update on the Block Party Forum, which was held on April 24. Between 30-40 individuals attended the forum where they learned from a panel of block party hosts, heard a presentation on best practices, and received information on Go Green Skokie and the Block Captain Program. Maria thanked Alex Chaparro for presenting and running an engaging forum, and also expressed her gratitude to the commissioners who attended and helped make the event a success. 2. 4th of July Parade: Maria Monastero Bueno stated that she has been in contact with Bob Quane, chair of the Beautification Commission. He has offered the opportunity for the Human Relations Commission to join the Beautification Commission on their float in the parade. Five or six individuals can ride on the float and the rest of the commissioners can walk alongside the float. The commission can add our signage to their float and Bob will ensure that the parade committee will read our commission information separate from the Beautification Commission information. Maria brought this matter to a vote and all commissioners were in favor and the motion carried. Amanda will send out an email to all commissioners to offer the opportunity to sit on the float. B. Fair Housing Committee 1. Fair Housing Ordinance: Amanda Sabri provided an overview of the digital communications that were sent out by the village Communications Department for Fair Housing Awareness month. These included an article in The Scoop on April 1, a website news article on April 1, and a Facebook post on April 23. An overview of the commission’s work related to Fair Housing was provided to the two residents who were visiting the meeting. Maria Monastero Bueno indicated that the review of the Fair Housing Ordinance that was scheduled for April 30 will be paused until further notice. James Specker, who has resigned from the commission, was going to be the commissioner collecting feedback for this review and a new commissioner will need to be assigned. 2. Housing Subcommittee: Jon Lavin reported that he has learned that the subcommittee within the Housing Subcommittee of the Plan Commission will be looking at additional types of housing as well as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Although they may still be looking at the Evanston ordinance regarding ADUs, they will also be looking at all options to ensure the acceptability for ADUs in Skokie. C. Equity and Diversity Committee 1. Early Intervention in Hate/Bias Incidents: Amanda Sabri provided an update that village staff will be meeting with Elana Kahn, the Executive Director of the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes, on April 29 to discuss their work with Help Stop Hate hotline. During the transition of the newly elected Board of Trustees, staff is focusing on gaining a better understanding of what resources are currently available to address hate and bias incidents and who is doing similar work. Commissioners raised several points regarding the hate and bias data that will be shared by the Skokie Police Department. The feedback included a request for more information on which calls or interactions are included in the data set, a desire for transparency  in how the data is analyzed before it reaches the commission, and a general preference for receiving more, rather than less, information. Commissioners and visitors also discussed ways that the schools, the commission, and the broader community can work together. 2. Skokie Festival of Cultures: Maria Monastero Bueno provided an update that our commission will be sharing a booth with the Commission on Family Services. The commission’s table will have a map where residents can indicate the country of their cultural origin. We will also have materials on block parties and fair housing as well as wrist bands and globe beach balls to give away. Jon Lavin suggested having an aerial picture taken of the flags at the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park so that it could be displayed at the commission’s booth. Amanda will determine if a staff member has a drone that could facilitate this request or search for an aerial photo online. A physical sign-up sheet was sent around for commissioners to volunteer at the festival table. A digital sign-up link will also be sent via email. 3. Skokie Pride: Amanda Sabri reminded the commission that Skokie Pride will take place on Sunday, June 22, from 1pm-4pm. A sign-up sheet will be brought to the May meeting to request volunteers for the commission table. 4. Women’s History Event: Maria Monastero Bueno provided an update on the Women’s History Walk, which took place on Sunday, March 30, and was sponsored by the Human Relations Commission. The Skokie Heritage Museum hosted this walking tour which spotlighted local trailblazers and key moments in the fight for equality, including Skokie’s first female doctor and milestones in reproductive rights. VII. Other Items of Business A. Village Seal Redesign: Maria Monastero Bueno indicated that now that the new village seal has officially been adopted the village will be moving forward with working on updating the village flag and updating all the locations where the old seal was used. B. Maria Monastero Bueno reminded commissioners that the next meeting will take place on an alternate date, Wednesday, May 28. The meeting will be held in the staff cafeteria. C. Jon Lavin and several commissioners expressed a desire to contact former Trustee Khem Khoeun to express their gratitude for her service to the Human Relations Commission and the Village of Skokie. Maria Monastero Bueno will contact Khem Khoeun to determine if her email can be shared with the commissioners. VIII. Adjourn