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Human Relations Commission
Monday, February 23, 2026
6:30pm
Minutes
Location: Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street – Conference Room D & E (2nd Floor)
In Attendance: Commissioners: Anthony Agee, Gurjot Bilkhu, Sheryl Bloom Basile, Sheila Crumrine (vice
chair), David Donegan, Sidney Freitag-Fey, Carl Johnson, Jonathan Lavin, Josef Meyers, Maria Monastero
Bueno (chair), Rachel Moore, Mandie Nufer, Swarupa Pahan, Jeremy Segall, Valeriya Slutskaya, Brad
Sugar, Trustee Gail Schechter, Mayor Ann Tennes, Skokie Staff Liaison: Amanda Sabri
Not in Attendance: Kristine Cabuang (E), Alex Chaparro, Maeydah Hayat (E), Marcos Levy (E), Trustee
Alison Pure Slovin (E)
I. Call to Order: 6:35PM
II. Approval of Agenda.
A. Jon Lavin motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Sidney
Freitag-Fey. All were in favor and the motion carried.
III. Public Comments: No public comments given.
IV. Guest Speaker: Rabbi Ari Hart, Senior Rabbi at Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue, led a
training and discussion on antisemitism, providing historical context and sharing perspectives on
its impact within the Skokie community. His remarks addressed the experiences and concerns of
the local Jewish community and emphasized the importance of understanding, dialogue, and
community engagement. Following his presentation, commissioners participated in a discussion
about ways to foster inclusion, strengthen relationships across communities, and support efforts
that promote safety and mutual understanding in Skokie. Mayor Tennes also invited the Human
Relations Commission to designate a representative to join the Faith Leaders Council for future
meetings.

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V. Approval of January 26, 2026 Meeting Minutes.
A. Sheryl Bloom Basile motioned to approve the minutes as written. The motion was
seconded by Jeremy Segall. All were in favor and the motion carried.
VI. Discussion: Commission Procedures and Meeting Protocols
A. Maria Monastero Bueno reported that the Mayor recently hosted a training for
commission chairs, vice chairs, and staff liaisons led by Corporation Counsel, Steven
Elrod, on commission procedures and meeting protocols. The commission will be
following the procedures outlined in this meeting which are in line Open Meetings Acts
regulations and Roberts Rules of Order. A document outlining these procedures was
distributed to commissioners at the meeting and will also be added to the onboarding
binder for new commissioners.
VII. Committee Reports
A. Subcommittee on Fair Housing
1. Jon Lavin reported that the subcommittee met on February 18 and reviewed
Skokie’s current Fair Housing Ordinance and identified several areas where the
ordinance may be outdated or missing protected classes. Jon Lavin and Amanda Sabri
provided background on the effort to revisit the ordinance, and Trustee Schechter
shared information about provisions that may need to be updated to better align with
Cook County’s Fair Housing Ordinance. The commission discussed a process for
reviewing possible amendments and developing recommendations to the Village.
Amanda Sabri will distribute additional information to commissioners and collect
feedback for further discussion at the following meeting.
2. Jon Lavin reported that the subcommittee is also recommending updating
several fair housing awareness social media posts that were originally prepared by
Valerie Slutskaya and shared with the Village Communications Department last year for
publication during April, Fair Housing Awareness Month. The subcommittee proposed
revising the content to reflect current information and resubmitting the updated
materials for use on Village communication platforms, including the Scoop and social
media. Jon Lavin made a motion to request that the Communications Department
repost updated fair housing information similar to the previous year’s materials. The
motion was seconded by Sid Freitag-Fey, and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Jon Lavin provided an update on the Planning Commission’s discussion
regarding accessory dwelling units (ADUs). As the Human Relations Commission’s
representative to the Housing Sub-Committee of the Plan Commission, he reported that
a proposal to allow ADUs was presented to the full Plan Commission. The discussion
included issues such as parking and the high cost of constructing ADUs, and the proposal
was tabled for further consideration and is expected to be revisited in March. Jon noted

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that he spoke in support of allowing ADUs as a way to help families care for older
relatives or family members with disabilities.
B. Neighbor Engagement Subcommittee
1. Block Party Forum: Amanda Sabri provided an update on planning for the
annual Block Party Forum and the Block Party Awards. The Neighbor Engagement
Subcommittee has been busy planning the next forum with Gurjot Bilkhu developing
promotional materials for the event and Kristine Cabuang coordinating with the Skokie
Public Library to secure a date, with April 29 or April 30 currently under consideration.
The commission approved a motion to allocate up to $150 for forum refreshments; the
motion was made by Brad Sugar, seconded by Sheila Crumrine, and passed
unanimously. Amanda also informed the commission that the Block Party Award
winners—5100 Elm Street, 8100 Long Avenue, and 7900 Keeler Avenue—have all been
notified and noted that the awards will be presented at the Village Board of Trustees
meeting on March 16. Commissioners are encouraged to attend the meeting.
2. 4th of July Parade: Swarupa Pahan introduced discussion of the Human Relations
Commission’s participation in the Fourth of July Parade. The commission approved
participation in the parade and agreed to walk as a group rather than accompany a
vehicle; the motion was made by Sheila Crumrine, seconded by David Donegan, and
carried unanimously. Mayor Tennes also informed commissioners that the new parade
co-chairs will be requesting volunteers from Village boards and commissions to assist
with parade logistics on the morning of the event. Commissioners discussed items that
had been provided at past events and what should be distributed this year at the parade
and other summer events, such as the Festival of Cultures. Amanda Sabri will gather
additional ideas from commissioners, with the goal of selecting materials and messaging
that align with the commission’s work and one of the Village’s strategic plan themes,
“Everyone has a place in Skokie.”
C. Equity and Diversity Committee
1. Sheryl Bloom Basile discussed a proposal to sponsor a Cold War and Civil Rights
walking tour in partnership with the Skokie Heritage Museum, potentially to be held in
late April during Fair Housing Awareness Month. The approximately two-mile tour
would explore Devonshire Park’s history as a Cold War anti-aircraft artillery base and
examine the postwar development of Skokie, including the rise of suburbia, the
community’s increasing diversity, and the formation of the Human Relations
Commission. The commission approved funding of $120 to cover the resident rate for
up to 20 participants. The motion was made by Sheila Crumrine, seconded by Sid
Freitag-Fey, and carried unanimously.
2. Skokie Festival of Cultures: Amanda Sabri informed the commission that there is
an opportunity to again host a table at the Skokie Festival of Cultures, which will take
place on May 16 and May 17. The cost to reserve a table is $175. David Donegan made a
motion for the commission to participate, Swarupa Pahan seconded, and the motion
carried unanimously.

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3. Skokie Pride & Skokie Juneteenth: Sheryl Bloom Basile and David Donegan
provided updates on Skokie Pride and the Skokie Juneteenth celebration. They reported
that they are still working to obtain additional information from the Skokie Park District
and Skokie United regarding possible involvement by the commission. They will keep
the commission informed as more details become available.
4. Maria Monastero Bueno initiated a discussion regarding potential programming
related to Native American Heritage Month and the Village’s recently adopted land
acknowledgment. She suggested that the Equity and Diversity Committee begin
exploring possible ways the commission could be involved in promoting Native
American Heritage Month and recognizing the land acknowledgment. Mayor Tennes
noted that a Native garden is planned for the Village Hall courtyard and suggested that
Village Forester Kathy Stevens may be a helpful contact. Amanda Sabri will make
preliminary outreach, and the commission will ensure that Native community leaders
and stakeholders are consulted to determine whether there may be an appropriate role
for the commission.
D. Community Engagement Sub-Committee
1. Sheila Crumrine provided an update on the Community Engagement
Subcommittee’s work related to antisemitism, hate, and bias. She reported that the
commission is pursuing a “concentric rings” approach to training, beginning with the
antisemitism provided to the Human Relations Commission tonight and then expanding
to a second level of approximately 45–70 invited community leaders from Village
boards, commissions, and civic organizations. Sheila Crumrine, Maria Monastero Bueno,
and Amanda Sabri have met with representatives from the Jewish United Fund, Project
Shema, and the Illinois Holocaust Museum to explore available training programs and
potential partnerships. The subcommittee is also continuing to explore the possibility of
partnering with the Skokie Park District to provide training for summer camp
counselors.
VIII. Other Items of Business
A. None
IX. Public Comments.
A. Noelle Sullivan, anthropologist and faculty member at Northwestern University,
commented on the importance of building skills for engaging in conversations across
differences. She referenced a training program called Catalyst focused on facilitating
difficult conversations and offered to share a potential contact as a resource.
X. Adjourn: 9:00pm