Human Relations Commission

Human Relations Commission Monday, October 28, 2024 6:30pm Location: Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street – Conference Room D & E (2nd Floor) In Attendance: Commissioners: Alex Chaparro (interim chair), Sheila Crumrine (vice-chair), Carl Johnson, Jonathan Lavin, Marcos Levy, Joseph Meyers, Swarupa Pahan, Jeremy Segall, Valeriya Slutskaya, Brad Sugar, Margaret van Steenderen, Trustee Khem Khoeun, Skokie Staff Liaison: Amanda Sabri Not in Attendance: Anthony Agee (E), Sheryl Bloom Basile (E), David Donegan, Maria Monastero Bueno (E), Karen Sherman (E), James Specker (E) I. Call to Order: 6:35 PM II. Training: Hate Crimes & Hate Incidents Training provided by Donita Farr, Senior Assistant Attorney General of the Law Enforcement Training Bureau. A. Following the training, Amanda Sabri provided an update on a policy draft titled Policy for Early Identification and Intervention in Initial Incidents of Hate, which staff have been working on. Amanda reviewed some of the key elements of the policy and the commission’s role in this work. Trustee Khoeun relayed that once the draft is finalized it will be brought to the commission for feedback before it is brought before the Board of Trustees. III. Introductions and Updates A. New commissioner Brad Sugar introduced himself and current members also provided introductions. B. Alex Chaparro reminded commissioners that there are several open seats available on the commission and recommended that members encourage others to apply. IV. Approval of Agenda A. Joseph Meyers motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Sheila Crumrine. All were in favor and the motion carried. V. Approval of Minutes of September 23, 2024 Meeting A. Margaret van Steenderen motioned to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Valeriya Slutskaya. All were in favor and the motion carried. VI. Public Comments A. No public comments given. VII. Committee Reports A. Housing Committee 1. Housing Subcommittee: No updates 2. Fair Housing: Jon Lavin reported that he and Amanda Sabri met to discuss the commission should be focusing on in relation to housing. He indicated that this commission is tasked with safeguarding residents right to fair housing practices. He invited other commissioners to provide input and also recommended that a local fair housing organization, Open Communities, come to provide a training at a future meeting. Trustee Khoeun suggested Community Partners for Affordable Housing as an organization that could provide training about housing diversity and what Skokie is doing to address housing challenges. Alex Chaparro also recommended the North Shore Barrington Association of Realtors as a future resource as they have a robust fair housing department. Margaret van Steenderen brought a document with multiple suggestions related to outreach and educational opportunities. She will email this document to all commission members following the meeting. B. Equity and Diversity Committee 1. Early Intervention Hate/Bias Incidence: See updates provided under item II. 2. Black History Month: Sheila Crumrine reported that there have been ongoing communications with the outreach and community engagement staff at Oakton College. There are not further updates at this time. 3. Unite Against Racism w/ YWCA: Sheila Crumrine reported that she and Sheryl Bloom Basile will be meeting with the YWCA on 11/7/24 to discuss possible collaborations for 2025 programming. Sheila provided an overview of past collaboration for new members. 4. Skokie Festival of Cultures: No updates 5. Skokie Juneteenth: No updates 6. Skokie Pride: No updates 7. SEED Training: No updates 8. Prominent Women in History: Sheila Crumrine brought forth an idea for a new program focusing on prominent women in Skokie’s history. This could be a program in collaboration with the Skokie Library and Skokie Heritage Museum for 2025. Trustee Khoeun made a recommendation of including Dr. Amelia Louise Klehm. She was Skokie’s first female doctor and has a Skokie park named in her honor. C. Neighbor Engagement Committee 1. Block Parties, Block Party Forum: Alex Chaparro gave an overview of what the Block Party Forum entails and how the commission continues to improve the forum each year. Alex encouraged any commissioners who are interested in helping with the Block Party Forum to please reach out to him. He has been coordinating the forum for multiple  years and would like to pass this role on to another commissioner next year. At the December meeting, Amanda Sabri will present the Block Party of the Year Award applicantions for commissioners to vote on. 2. Know your Neighbor: No update 3. 4th of July Parade: No updates at this time. Additional planning will likely begin in April. VIII. Other Items of Business A. Village Seal Redesign: Amanda Sabri provided an update that representatives from the Village Seal Committee presented a recommendation of a new seal to the Board of Trustees on October 21. The committee received positive feedback from the Board of Trustees at that time. Amanda informed the commission that more information can be found on the Village of Skokie website, including the seal image, a video about the process and a link an online survey for community members to take. The committee will be meeting again on November 8 to discuss results of the community survey. B. Skokie Police Use of Force Review Board: Police Chief Jesse Barnes provided an overview of the purpose of the review board and also provided an update that their next meeting will be on November 12. They have met twice and will meet again to discuss their recommendations and draft their report of recommendations which is given to the Mayor and Board of Trustees. C. Discussion of Human Relations Commission Mission and Talking Points: Alex Chaparro and Amanda Sabri introduced a discussion of the mission of the Human Relations Commission and how the work of the commission is communicated to the community. Several members suggested the language they use at community events. Brad Sugar indicated that he would be happy to help develop the language and statements we want to use. D. December Meeting Potluck: Alex Chaparro reminded the commission that there is no meeting in November and the next meeting is on December 9. It was agreed on that the December 9 meeting will be a potluck. Amanda Sabri will send out a sign-up list for members to indicate what they would like to bring. IX. Adjourn: 8:30 PM