[PAGE 1] Skokie Board of Health Monday, February 9, 2026 7:00 pm Skokie Village Hall 5127 Oakton Street Conference Room D/E MINUTES In attendance: Dr. Swapna Dave, Dr. Michael Gottesman, Maureen Hanlon, Margaret Keeler, Dr. Edward Linn (Chair), Dr. Stephen Lupovitch, Rohit Pandya, Rev Dr. Valerie Riley, Dr. Romil Sood, Patricia Urbanus, Sibyl Yau (Vice-Chair), Staff Liaison: Michael Charley; Not in attendance: Dr. Sarah Franks, Dr. Bruce Gaynes, Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker, Juliet Haido, Dr. Girijia Kalyan Kumar, Irtaza Usman, Dr. William Werner, Ruth Varma: Trustee Lissa Levy I. Call to Order The meeting of the Skokie Board of Health was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Dr. Edward Linn, Chair. II. Approval of Agenda The agenda for the February 9, 2026 meeting was presented. Motion: To approve the agenda as presented. First by Dr. Sood, seconded by Dr. Gottesman Result: Motion approved by consensus. III. Approval of Minutes: January 8, 2026 Meeting The minutes of the January 8, 2026 Board of Health meeting were reviewed. Motion: To approve the January 8, 2026 meeting minutes as presented. First by Dr. Sood, seconded by Gottesman. Vote: In Favor: Unanimous; Opposed: None, Motion carried. IV. Public Comment No members of the public were present to provide comment. V. BOH Chair Updates – Dr. Edward Linn Dr. Linn provided a brief Chair’s report, highlighting recent developments in immunization policy and emerging public health concerns. Dr. Linn reported that the Illinois Department of Public Health announced it will follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) childhood immunization schedule, rather than the CDC/ACIP recommendations. He discussed concerns raised regarding omissions in the CDC/ACIP recommendations, including rotavirus and meningococcal vaccinations, emphasizing the public health importance of maintaining these immunizations. (cid:1)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:11)(cid:12)(cid:9)(cid:13)(cid:7)(cid:14)(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:17)(cid:18)(cid:3)(cid:19)(cid:6)(cid:20)(cid:7) [PAGE 2] Dr. Linn referenced a recent New York Times editorial addressing increasing marijuana use in the United States, particularly daily and heavy use. He noted: Significant increases in daily marijuana use nationally Health risks associated with heavy use, including cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome Increased potency of marijuana products compared to prior decades Dr. Linn suggested the Board may wish to consider future educational or advocacy efforts related to cannabis regulation and public health impacts. Maureen Hanlon communicated that she is interested in participating in future discussions regarding cannabis regulation. No action was taken at this time. VI. Health and Human Services (HHS) Updates – Mike Charley, HHS Director Mr. Charley provided an update on Health and Human Services activities: Community Communications: Mr. Charley provided an overview of the different HHS HHS public messaging efforts that have been included within the Village weekly e- newsletter (“The Scoop”). o Vaccination Efforts: After-hours free flu clinics held during January and will continue through February. Free COVID-19 vaccines received from the State and are being offered at the after-hours clinics in February. o Promotion of Cook County’s Lead Remediation Program for income-eligible households was made in a recent Village e-newsletter The Scoop. o HHS continues outreach on rat mitigation; HHS has noted significant reductions in rat complaints over the past three years after the Village has strengthened their rat control programs, which includes using new strategies such as recently using coordinated smoke bombing and sealing burrow openings with a sand mixture. o Maternal and Child Health: There was recent outreach promoting early prenatal care in The Scoop e-newsletter as part of Community Health Improvement Plan priorities o SNAP Program Changes outreach was made via The Scoop: Updates on revised eligibility and work requirements affecting residents STI Clinic: Upcoming free STI pop-up clinic scheduled for February 23, 2026. Free and walk-ins are welcome. Communicable Disease Surveillance: Discussion of current disease monitoring efforts and coordination with healthcare providers. Update were made on a recent Meningococcal outbreak in Chicago, including state-level tracking and response protocols which are followed by Skokie HHS. Professional Engagement: Announcement of Health and Human Services’ participation in the Skokie Community Foundation Health Symposium on March 11, 2026, focused on vaccines, misinformation, and advocacy. Board members asked questions and discussed disease surveillance reporting and the potential for regular summary updates highlighting notable trends or clusters. (cid:1)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:11)(cid:12)(cid:9)(cid:13)(cid:7)(cid:14)(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:17)(cid:18)(cid:3)(cid:19)(cid:6)(cid:20)(cid:7) [PAGE 3] VII. Old Business A. Award of Health Research Excellence Updates: Updates were provided regarding the upcoming science fair and the Board of Health’s award: Two BOH members will be participating as judges; interested members were encouraged to participate. Plans include presenting certificates at the science fair and recognizing award recipients at a future Village Board meeting B. Protocol for Introducing New Action Items to the Board of Health Workplan: Mr. Charley reviewed revisions to the proposed protocol for introducing new Board of Health agenda items, including: Multiple pathways for submitting agenda items Alignment with the Village Manager’s Office and Mayor Use of a standardized request form Emphasis on transparency, coordination, and feasibility Motion: To approve the revised Protocol for Introducing New Action Items to the Board of Health Workplan was made by Dr. Gottesman and seconded by Dr. Sood. Vote: In Favor: Unanimous; Opposed: None, Motion carried. Board members noted the protocol should remain a working document subject to future revisions. VIII. New Business: No new business was introduced. IX. Adjournment Motion: To adjourn the meeting was made by Dr. Sood, seconded by Dr. Dave Result: Motion approved by consensus. The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 PM. Next Regular Meeting: March 12, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m. (cid:1)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:11)(cid:12)(cid:9)(cid:13)(cid:7)(cid:14)(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:17)(cid:18)(cid:3)(cid:19)(cid:6)(cid:20)(cid:7)