Chicago City Wire

City of Wheaton Community Relations Commission met Feb. 7

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

I. Call to Order

a. Meeting was called to order 7:05pm

II. Welcome

III. Roll Call

Kathy Bushong, Scott Chedister, Andrea Clayton, Sam Hardy, Mike Hodel, Erica Nelson, Laura Peccarelli, David Sohmer, Shauna Thorson, and Angela Welker

Via Zoom: Meg Beasley

Absent: Saleha Jawaid, Ben Waterman

IV. Approval of Minutes

As there was not a quorum in January, the minutes up for consideration were from December 6, 2023. David motioned for the minutes to be approved with minor changes, Angie seconded. Minutes were approved as amended.

V. Old Business

a. Black History Month Fruteland Jackson event reminder

i. February 11 in partnership with the Wheaton Public Library

VI. New Business

a. Welcomed two new commissioners: Kathy Bushong and Shauna Thorson

b. Good Citizens Awards update - Angie, Ben, and Scott

i. Call for nominations takes place February 8 through March 31

ii. Outreach

1. Flyers will be posted over the weekend

2. Targeted letters will be sent to schools, not-for-profits, and others

3. Meg has provided information to City communications staff

iii. Timeline

1. Commission will receive nominations to review in early April

2. Commissioners will vote on recipients at April meeting

3. Recipients will be notified on April 11

4. Awards will be presented during May 13 City Council meeting

a. Meg will make sure that the photographer takes a photo of all recipients and the mayor (in 2023, only individual pictures of recipients with mayor were taken, which affected media coverage)

iv. Budget $2,300.00

v. Request from GCA committee to move meeting to April 10 to ensure that all commissioners have enough time to evaluate the nominations

1. Angie motioned to move meeting from 4/3 to 4/10; Sam seconded. The motion passed; Meg will contact the city to change the date on the calendar

vi. Revised categories for awards

1. There will be no “group” category this year

2. Adult

3. Youth

a. For 2025, considering splitting youth category into “young youth” and “high school youth” subcategories

vii. GCA committee wants to increase the probability and opportunity of having a variety of Good Citizens Award winners by including a wide range of educational and not-for-profit organizations for the nominations outreach.

viii. Discussion regarding how to make a fair and representative selection

1. Blind vs. open selection process

2. One idea is to have one commissioner vett nominees to ensure that they meet the selection criteria and that they have not won a Good Citizens Award in the past. Scott volunteered to do that.

3. The city clerk can also note whether or not a nominee has won the award in the past.

4. Meg will locate list from prior years

5. Angie will continue using Survey Monkey to rank our choices

c. Women’s History month - update - Erica and Andrea

i. Partner program with Downtown Wheaton Association and DuPage Art League

ii. “We Are Women” art exhibit

1. Artwork will be displayed from March 1-31 at 23 female-owned or -managed businesses,

a. DuPage Art League has 12 artists; it will handle getting installed/uninstalled.

b. Committee has reached out to high school art teachers and other arts organizations for artwork.

c. Looking to include artwork from Stars Family Services artists; Shauna has contacts.

iii. Women of Wheaton profiles

1. These profiles will return to the city’s website. The mayor asked that the CRC feature profiles centered around a theme. The 2024 theme will be visual arts.

iv. Election/retention of officers for 2024

1. Chair - Erica Nelson. Sam motioned that we maintain Erica as chair for a one-year term, Angie seconded. Motion passed.

2. Vice Chair - David Sohmer. Sam motioned that we maintain David as chair for a one-year term, Angie seconded. Motioned passed

3. Secretary (Meg Beasley) and treasurer (Saleha Jawaid) - Mike expressed interest in serving either as treasurer or secretary. Erica will reach out to Saleha to see if she would be open to having another commissioner serve in this position.

4. CRC will table decision regarding these positions until March.

d. Community Presentation

Stars Family Services, Tony DiLeonardi, chair, board of directors, joined the meeting to give an overview of Stars and the work they do in Wheaton.

Established as a 501c3 organization in 2008, Stars is a disability ministry of College Church. Stars runs three group homes in Wheaton: Washington House, Kenny’s House, and the Jean Hooten Home. Two of the homes house male residents while the third houses women. Residents have their own rooms and the homes offer respite services for family members. The oldest resident is 65 years old.

Stars offers programs and job coaching for residents and others with disabilities. 

One of the homes includes an art studio, which offers classes to residents. Currently, there are 16 artists and nine residents who participate in art studio classes.

Through the Stars and Twice as Nice resale shops, $1 million has been raised to fund the group homes and programming. Nearly 75% of the care, staff, and programs comes from donors. The resale shop also employs group home residents.

The commission will identify ways in which the CRC can partner with Stars such as getting the word out about the Stars Art Fair and using artwork for annual poinsettia Christmas thank you.

VII. Adjournment

a. Meeting adjourned at 8:40

https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02072024-2474