Cook County Commission on Human Rights met Sept. 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
Attendance:
Present: Chair Sufyan Sohel, Commissioners Jack Block, Amber Smock, Ceylan Eatherton, Rev. Richard Tolliver, Anjali Waikar (Commission voted to allow virtual attendance due to a family emergency), DHRE Staff
Absent: Vice Chair Gia Orr, Commissioner Michael Lapinski
Open Session
A. Call to Order
▪ Chair Sohel called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m.
B. Motion
• A motion to approve Commissioner Anjali Waikar attending the Board meeting virtually due to a family emergency was made by Commissioner Block and seconded by Commissioner Eatherton. The motion was carried by the following vote:
• Ayes: Chair Sufyan Sohel, Commissioners Jack Block, Amber Smock, Ceylan Eatherton, Rev. Richard Tolliver
• Nays: None
• Absent: Vice Chair Gia Orr, Commissioner Michael Lapinski
C. Statements by the General Public
▪ There were no public statements.
C. Agenda Approval
▪ A motion to approve the agenda was made and carried by the following vote:
• Ayes: Chair Sohel, CommissionersJack Block, Amber Smock, Ceylan Eatherton, Rev. Richard Tolliver, Anjali Waikar (Commission voted to allow virtual attendance due to a family emergency)
• Nays: None
• Absent: Vice Chair Gia Orr, Commissioner Michael Lapinski
D. Approval of the July 13, 2023 Regular Meeting Open Minutes
• A motion to approve the July 13, 2023 regular meeting open minutes was made and carried by the following vote:
• Ayes: Chair Sohel, Commissioners Jack Block, Amber Smock, Ceylan Eatherton, Rev. Richard Tolliver, Anjali Waikar
• Nays: None
• Absent: Vice Chair Gia Orr, Commissioner Michael Lapinski
E. New Legal Counsel Introduction – Tamiya Wright
F. Commissioners’ Updates
• ACCESS Living is hiring two positions:
1. Senior Attorney - interested in fair housing law and disability rights.
2. Manager of Policy and Government Affairs
G. Outreach Workgroup Updates
▪ Outreach:
o Outreach and Training Coordinator noted that a meeting for the working group will be scheduled shortly, reviewed ongoing outreach efforts, and noted that last month’s newsletter reached 92% of its recipients.
▪ Policy:
o Policy Working Group meeting held at the beginning of August.
▪ Recent guidance on deferred labor enforcement.
▪ Recent amendments to Human Rights Ordinance.
H. Director’s Report
▪ Review on cases pending at stages.
▪ Outreach: Interim Director King will serve on “Illinois Know Your Rights Panel” as a CCCHR representative.
▪ Policy: Additional protections covered by the Human Rights Ordinance were passed on July 20, 2023. Cook County Human Rights Ordinance is one of the first to include caste protections.
I. Human Rights Procedural Rules Proposed Amendments – Review and Vote
▪ A motion to adopt the Human Rights Procedural Rules Proposed Amendments was made and carried by the following vote:
• Ayes: Chair Sohel, Commissioners Jack Block, Amber Smock, Ceylan Eatherton, Rev. Richard Tolliver, Anjali Waikar
• Nays: None
• Absent: Vice Chair Orr, Commissioner Michael Lapinski
J. Investigation Extension Request
▪ A motion to approve the Investigation Extension Requests was made and carried by the following vote:
• Ayes: Chair Sohel, Commissioners Jack Block, Amber Smock, Ceylan Eatherton, Rev. Richard Tolliver, Anjali Waikar
• Nays: None
• Absent: Vice Chair Orr, Commissioner Michael Lapinski
Closed Session
▪ A motion to move into Executive Session for discussions, as identified in the agenda, was made and carried by unanimous voice vote at 10:38 a.m.
Open Session
▪ At 10:59 a.m., the Board reconvened to Open Session.
N. Voting Regarding Executive Session Items, if any
I. Approval of the July 13, 2023, Regular Meeting Closed Minutes
▪ A motion to approve the July 13, 2023, regular meeting closed minutes was made and carried by the following vote:
• Ayes: Chair Sohel, Commissioners Jack Block, Amber Smock, Ceylan
Eatherton, Anjali Waikar
• Nays: None
• Absent: Vice Chair Orr, Commissioner Michael Lapinski, Rev. Richard Tolliver (excused from meeting at the conclusion of the executive session)
II. Orders on Requests for Reconsideration
▪ A motion to approve orders denying Requests for Reconsideration was made and carried by the following vote:
• Ayes: Chair Sohel, Commissioners Jack Block, Amber Smock, Ceylan Eatherton, Anjali Waikar
• Nays: None
• Absent: Vice Chair Orr, Commissioner Michael Lapinski, Rev. Richard Tolliver (excused from meeting at the conclusion of the executive session)
O. Adjourn
- A motion to adjourn was made and carried by unanimous voice vote.
- The meeting was adjourned at 11:01 a.m.
https://cook-county.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1118196&GUID=ED0A6E2E-D48B-4BC6-9D94-D8A143357119&Options=&Search=
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