Community Relations Commission

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WHEATON CITY HALL, 303 W WESLEY STREET, WHEATON, ILLINOIS 60187 Wednesday, February 4, 2026 7:00 to 8:30 pm Gamon Room, Wheaton City Hall I. Call to Order - 7:04 PM II. Roll Call In Person: David Sohmer, Shauna Thorson, Andrew McGady, Sharon Holtrop, Kathy Bushong Absent: Tim March, Michael Hodel, Andrea Clayton III. Approval of Minutes Approval of minutes from January 7,2026 regular Commission meeting. Motion to approve: Sharon Holtrop made a motion to approve the January meeting minutes. Seconded by Andrew McGady. Unanimously approved. IV. Old Business a. Wheaton Block Party: date set for September 26, 2026‘ b. DWA Christmas Tree: Sharon reported back on the DWA Christmas Tree event. She placed approximately 50 ornaments on the tree and only six were remaining. She discussed the QR code being something that worked well. Sharon will return decorations to the annex basement soon. "Autism c. Certified City or and Autism Friendly City" updates: Andrew and Shauna have both emailed ”Autism ”Autism organizations that deal with certification for making Wheaton an Certified City” or Friendly City”. Other options were discussed as that certification process can take up to five years. They will be following up on this. October is autism awareness month. We discussed possibly speaking with WSDRA for ideas and/or collaboration. d. The 250th birthday for the United States of America: We discussed the American flag buntings hanging over the streets in town and partnering with the city to get those hung appropriately. We also discussed highlighting Hometown heroes; perhaps connecting with Cantigny for potential partnership. David has reached out to the historical commission to see if we can work together on anything concerning the 250th celebration. e. Good Citizen Award planning: Avenues of advertising this were discussed. The high schools in Wheaton will be contacted. We reviewed the CRC portal and items that are listed there. Kathy will contact Andrea Rosedale to confirm dates and add them to the calendar. Sharon will post flyers about town. Andrew will contact the schools. Kathy will work on the graphics, yard signs, social media with Susan Bishel. Kathy will take care of plates, napkins, and name tags. David will take care of beverages/ice and table cloth. Andrea will order food: Shauna will oversee the flowers & presentation. V. New business — none. VI. There was no public comment. VII. Adjournment Shauna Thorson made a motion to adjourn. Sharon Holtrop seconded that motion. Unanimously approved. We adjourned at 8:08 pm. Minutes Submitted by Kathy Bushong David Sohmer Chairman, Wheaten Community Relations Commission March 4, 2026