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Skokie Board of Health
Thursday, January 8, 2026
7:00 pm
Skokie Village Hall
5127 Oakton Street
Conference Room D/E
MINUTES
In attendance: Dr. Sarah Franks, Dr. Bruce Gaynes, Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker, Dr. Michael
Gottesman, Juliet Haido, Dr. Girijia Kalyan Kumar, Trustee Dr. Edward Linn (Chair), Dr. Stephen
Lupovitch, Rohit Pandya, Rev Dr. Valerie Riley, Dr. Romil Sood, Patricia Urbanus, Irtaza Usman,
Dr. William Werner, Sibyl Yau (Vice-Chair), Staff Liaison: Michael Charley;
Not in attendance: Dr. Swapna Dave, Margaret Keeler, Maureen Hanlon, Ruth Varma: Lissa Levy
I. Call to Order at 7:06 PM
II. Approval of Agenda: Motion carried to approve agenda. First by Dr. Sood, Second by
Rohit Pandya
III. Approval of Minutes: December 11, 2025 Meeting: Motion carried to approve minutes.
First by Dr. Sood, Second by Dr. Gaynes
IV. Public Comment (3 minutes per person): No public comment.
V. BOH Chair Updates, Dr. Edward Linn: Provided updates on the following:
• Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee decision to retain Hepatitis B birth-dose
protocol.
• Current influenza season severity and importance of vaccination
• Increasing cannabis use, cannabis use disorder, and cannabinoid hyperemesis
syndrome & the need for continued public education, particularly for youth.
VI. Health and Human Services (HHS) Updates, Mike Charley, HHS Director: Charley
reported on the following:
• Public health communications through Village newsletters.
• Updated Illinois guidance on Hepatitis B vaccination.
• Rabies surveillance following a confirmed rabid dog in Cook County.
• Elevated flu/RSV/COVID levels and expanded Health & Human Services’ flu
vaccination clinic hours.
• Recent federal vaccine schedule changes and potential impacts and how IDPH has
reaffirmed their recommendations for individuals and providers to follow the CDC’s
August 7, 2025 childhood immunization schedule (which is different than the
Federal schedule).
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VII. Old Business
A. Award of Health Research Excellence, Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker: Discussion of
Board participation in reviewing and recognizing a health-related project at the
March 2026 high school science fair. Mike Charley was asked to resend interest
request to BOH members.
B. February 12, 2026 Meeting – Reschedule or Cancel Discussion: Motion approved
to reschedule the February Board of Health meeting to Monday, February 9,
2026.
VIII. New Business
A. New Agenda Item Procedure, Mike Charley: Mike Charley presented a draft
process for Board members to propose new agenda items. A motion was
approved to table discussion and vote until the next meeting.
IX. Motion made and seconded to adjourn at 8:30 PM. Motion carried
Next Regular Meeting: Monday February 9, 2026 @ 7:00 PM
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