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Human Relations Commission
Monday, January 26, 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, Kristine Cabuang,
Sheila Crumrine (vice chair), David Donegan, Carl Johnson, Jonathan Lavin, Marcos Levy, Maria
Monastero Bueno (chair), Jeremy Segall, Valeriya Slutskaya, Brad Sugar, Trustee Alison Pure Slovin,
Trustee Gail Schechter, Skokie Staff Liaison: Amanda Sabri
Not in Attendance: Alex Chaparro, Sidney Freitag-Fey (E), Maeydah Hayat, Josef Meyers (E), Rachel
Moore (E), Mandie Nufer (E), Swarupa Pahan (E), Trustee Alison Pure Slovin (E)
I. Call to Order: 6:30PM
II. Approval of Agenda
A. Brad Sugar motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Marcos
Levy. All were in favor and the motion carried.
III. Public Comments. David Dalka, Skokie resident, expressed concerns that issues raised in a June
3, 2025 letter to the Village have not been addressed and stated that he and his father have
been denied services, which he believes violates their rights. He also shared concerns about a
lack of follow-up from Village officials, public safety matters, and unhoused individuals living
under the expressway on Golf Road, and requested the Commission’s support and advocacy in
addressing these matters with the Mayor and Village management
IV. Update and Commission Feedback: New Community Engagement Initiative: Amanda Sabri
provided an update on behalf of Patrick Deignan, Director of Communications, regarding plans
to relaunch the Village’s Spaghetti Dinners initiative in 2026. She shared an overview of the
previous events and invited feedback from the Commission on outreach, inclusivity, and ways to

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enhance the experience. Commissioners offered suggestions and input, which will be shared
with Patrick as planning moves forward.
V. Approval of Meeting Minutes
A. 11-10-2025 Community Engagement Sub-Committee Meeting Minutes.
1. Sheila Crumrine motioned to approve the minutes as written. The motion was
seconded by Valeriya Slutskaya. All were in favor and the motion carried.
B. 12-8-2025 Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes
1. Resident David Dalka requested that his public comment from the December 8,
2025 meeting be recorded verbatim in the minutes.
2. Carl Johnson motioned to approve the minutes as written. The motion was
seconded by Jeremy Segall. All were in favor and the motion carried.
VI. Committee Reports
A. Committee Involvement: Maria Monastero Bueno led a discussion regarding committee
involvement and subcommittee leadership for the coming year. The following
commissioners agreed, either in person or prior to the meeting, to serve as co-leads:
1. Subcommittee on Fair Housing – Jon Lavin and Valeriya Slutskaya (co-leads),
with Trustee Schechter providing guidance
2. Equity & Diversity Subcommittee – Sheryl Bloom Basile and Dave Donegan (co-
leads)
3. Neighborhood Engagement Subcommittee – Kristine Cabuang and Gurjot Bilkhu
(co-leads)
4. Community Engagement Subcommittee – Sid Freitag-Fey, Sheila Crumrine, and
Brad Sugar (co-leads)
B. Neighbor Engagement Committee
1. Block Party Awards Presentation: Amanda Sabri presented an overview of the
10 Block Party of the Year award applicants. Commissioners reviewed the applications
and cast their votes via paper ballot. Votes will be tallied following the meeting, and
Amanda will notify commissioners of the selected award recipients.
2. Block Party Forum: Members of the Neighborhood Engagement Committee met
prior to the full Commission to plan the next Block Party Forum. They identified several
potential dates in March and April and will move forward with securing a date and
library space, as well as developing outreach materials. The Commission will be updated
as details are finalized.
3. 4th of July Parade: Amanda Sabri informed the Commission that the 4th of July
Committee has opened the parade application period. Commissioners expressed
support for participating. The Commission will discuss parade materials and messaging
at next month’s meeting.

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C. Equity and Diversity Committee
1. Skokie Festival of Cultures: Amanda Sabri informed the Commission that the
Skokie Park District has opened applications for the Festival of Cultures, with a deadline
of March 13. Commissioners discussed last year’s participation and shared ideas for this
year, including creating a larger and improved community map. The Commission
expressed support for participating again this year.
2. Skokie Pride / Juneteenth: Maria Monastero Bueno asked Sheryl Bloom Basile to
contact the Skokie Park District to discuss the Commission’s potential involvement in
Skokie Pride and Skokie Juneteenth. Sheryl will also reach out to Emily England at the
Skokie Heritage Museum to inquire about a possible Women’s History Month walk and
explore opportunities for collaboration.
3. Skokie Juneteenth: See discussion above regarding outreach to the Skokie Park
District and potential Commission involvement.
D. Community Engagement Sub-Committee
1. Follow-Up with Community Partners and Commission Work Related to
Antisemitism, Hate, and Bias: Sheila Crumrine provided an overview of the January 8,
2025 meeting with Rabbi Ari Hart, Maria Monastero Bueno, Jeremy Segall, and Amanda
Sabri regarding potential training, education, and community dialogue initiatives related
to antisemitism in Skokie. She reviewed four proposed next steps: Rabbi Hart’s
presentation at the February Commission meeting; an invitation-based community
training in partnership with an outside organization; preliminary conversations with the
Skokie Park District about potentially incorporating related content into summer camp
counselor trainings; and a facilitated, multi-faith community dialogue. Amanda Sabri
noted that conversations have begun with potential partner organizations to explore
options for providing community-wide antisemitism training.
VII. Other Items of Business
A. Trustee Schechter provided an update on a Fair Housing matter stemming from a 2014
national investigation, initiated during her tenure as Executive Director of Open
Communities (then the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs), into banks’
maintenance of foreclosed (REO) properties. The investigation found disparities in how
properties were maintained in predominantly white neighborhoods compared to
predominantly Black neighborhoods and communities of color, including in Skokie and
surrounding areas. While many banks previously settled, Deutsche Bank is now
proceeding to jury trial in early February; Trustee Schechter will represent Open
Communities at trial. If the plaintiffs prevail, funds would be awarded to fair housing
agencies to support fair housing efforts.
VIII. Public Comments: No additional public comments given.
IX. Adjourn: 7:55pm