Human Relations Advisory Group

Human Relations Advisory Group Meeting Highland Park Senior Center - Room 1 (Lower Level) January 8, 2026 5:00 PM Agenda PUBLIC NOTICE In accordance with the Statutes of the State of Illinois and the Ordinances of the City of Highland Park, a Regular Meeting of the Human Relations Advisory Group of the City of Highland Park is scheduled to be held at the hour of 5:00 PM on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at the Highland Park Senior Center, 1201 Park Avenue West - East Entrance (Room 1, Lower Level), Highland Park, Illinois during which it is anticipated there will be a discussion. Individuals with questions or feedback about an agenda item can address the Advisory Group in the following ways: 1. Emails for the Record. Email Christina Earle, the Human Relations Advisory Group staff liaison. If you wish to have your comments read into the record, limit your communication to 200 words or less. Public comments received by 3:00 PM the day of the meeting will be read under Business from the Public. Public comments should contain the following information: o • In the subject line, identify, “HRAG Meeting – Read into the Record” o • Name • City • Address (optional) • Phone (optional) • Organization, agency representing, if applicable • Topic or agenda item number of interest 2. Emails with Unlimited Information. Individuals who do not wish to have their comments read into the record can email Christina Earle an unlimited number of words. Emails will be forwarded to the Human Relations Advisory Group if requested. 3. Telephone. Individuals with no access to email may leave a message with Staff Liaison Christina Earle at 847.926.1861 by 3:00PM the day of the meeting. 4. Live Comments. Individuals are able to address the Advisory Group during the meeting. Questions/comments are limited to written testimony into the record or spoken comments, not both. Comments should be limited to three minutes or less. I. Call to Order II. Roll Call A. Introductions & Review 2026 Work Plan III. Approval of Minutes A. December 11, 2025 Regular Meeting IV. Business from the Public (Individuals wishing to be heard regarding items not listed on this agenda) V. Old Business A. MLK Day of Service discussion (WP1) VI. New Business A. Humanitarian Award Nominations discussion (WP2) VII. Other Business A. City Staff Update B. Chairman Update C. Advisor Comments VIII. Adjournment  MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS ADVISORY GROUP OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS MEETING DATE: December 11, 2025 MEETING LOCATION: Highland Park Police Department 1677 Old Deerfield Road, Highland Park, IL CALL TO ORDER: At 5:00 PM, Chair Tiersky called the Human Relations Advisory Group (HRAG) regular meeting to order and Staff Liaison Earle called the roll. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Chair Tiersky, Vice-Chair Canchester, Advisors Buzard, Fishman, Lugar, Lynch, Flores- Weisskopf Members Absent: Advisors Jasenof, Gottesman, Harris Also Present: Council Liaison Lidawer, North Shore School District 112 Representative Fink, Student Liaison Rosenblatt, Staff Liaison Earle, Alternate Staff Liaison Ford Chair Tiersky declared a quorum was present. CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES (a) Approval of the October 9, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes Member Buzzard moved to adopt the minutes. Member Lugar seconded the motion. Voice vote, unanimous. Chair Tiersky declared the motion passed. COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED None. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC None. Prospective member observed meeting. OLD BUSINESS (a) 2026 MLK Event Discussion (WP1) Chair Tiersky invited Staff Liaison Earle to give an update on the service project committee. Set up will begin on Sunday the 18th at 5 PM and is expected to take about two hours. Members should arrive at the event at 8:30 AM and vendors will arrive at 9 AM. Member Flores Weisskopf to follow up with the Rotary Club on the donation drop off. Chair Tiersky invited Vice-Chair Canchester to give an update on the entertainment committee. The dancers are booked and instructed to arrive before start time to allow for flexibility and a possible start time before noon. Performance is available for up to 45 minutes and the group decided plan for 20 to 30 minutes of performance depending on the needs of the event day-of. The timeline and tasks of the event were reviewed. Staff Liaison Earle reviewed proposed service projects and affirmed that it will be helpful to have dancers ready for when people are done with projects. Group consensus was reached to keep opening statements and speeches short.  Service project participation was discussed and Chair Tiersky recommended investigation into decreased engagement and why groups that have participated in the past have not returned. Group to split past participant list and call those that have not reached out about 2026, as well as contact any further organizations they think may have interest. Members to update Christina on who is contacted. It was discussed that the existing list and contact script was established over time in past meetings. Donation drop off will occur at the East side Senior Services entrance, with vendors entering at the Park Fitness entrance. Senior Center volunteers will be present to assist and count attendance. Advisors are requested to stay and help break down event materials. (b) 2026 HP Awards Discussion (WP2) Staff Liaison Earle reported that the event is set for April 23rd from 6:30 to around 8 PM. Public awards close on December 31 and Character Counts close mid-February. Staff Liaison Earle reported nominations for awards are low and an email request for more nominations will be going out. Letters have already been sent to past award winners. Member Fishman to call past winners to request nominations. Calls were also requested for past nominees that did not win. Upon discussion it was established that District 113 is included in the awards through Character Counts. The group ended discussion with the request for additional printed programs for the ceremony. Other Business (a) City Staff Update Staff Liaison Earle thanked Chair Tiersky and members Fishman and Gottesman for their service. She reported that the MLK “I Have a Dream” speech rights was submitted for and staff is awaiting update. Humanitarian Award plaque was finalized and ready to be ordered. (b) Chairman Update Chair Tiersky stated that it was a pleasure to serve as chair and thanked all members and Christina for their service to the group. (c) Advisor Comments Members Fishman – Thanked the group. Flores-Weisskopf – Called for a revamp of MLK Day of Service and service projects. Lugar – Thanked members who are moving on from service. Community Liaisons Student Liaison Rosenblatt - Discussed service project idea including: goodie bags for first responders or senior homes with card, sock stuffing to Moraine Township with a card, and thank you cards to teachers. Discussion was held on funding for making donation bags and suggestion was made for groups that do not have a project to donate items or funds to the project. Member Lugar suggested making “Know Your Rights” whistle kits. District 112 Representative Fink to ask Girl Scouts about working a table for the event. Council Liaison Lidawer – Expressed appreciation to the group for their work. ADJOURNMENT Chair Tiersky entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. A motion was made by member Fishman and seconded by Member Buzard. The motion passed with a unanimous vote of the advisors present. The meeting was adjourned at 6:05 PM. --- Respectfully submitted, Parker Ford Administrative Program Specialist