HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION, VILLAGE OF LINCOLNWOOD

6900 North Lincoln Avenue, Lincolnwood, IL 60712

I. Roll Call

II. Approval of Minutes

III. Old Business

Meeting Agenda Monday, March 13,2017

7:00 PM Village Hall Council Chambers

6900 N. Lincoln Avenue Lincolnwood, IL 60712

a. Human Relations Commission Award b. Food Drive

IV. New Business

a. Village of Skokie - Welcoming City Ordinance b. Village of Streamwood Community Relations Commission

Art Around the World Event - April 22, 2017 c. 2017 Cultural Diversity Events - Planning

V. Public Forum

VI. Good of the Order

VII. Staff Report

VIII. Adjournment

Posted: March 6, 2017 - Website, Village Hall, and Police Department

HUMAN RELA TIONS COMMISSION, VILLAGE OF LINCOLNWOOD 6900 N. Lincoln A venue, Lincolnwood, IL 60712

I. Call to Order

Draft - Meeting Minutes Monday, February 13, 2017

Village Hall Council Chambers 6900 N. Lincoln Avenue Lincolnwood, IL 60712

Commissioner Kohn called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM.

II. Roll Call

Present:

Absent:

Rebecca Kohn, Paul Kramer, Mary Koleff-May, Karen Holmes, Myra Foutris, Carol Oraha, Lieutenant Lawrence Martin, and Trustee Craig Klatzco

Mario Rizzotti

III. Approval of Minutes

Commissioner Oraha moved to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2017 Human Relations Commission meeting. Commissioner Kramer seconded. The motion was unanimously approved .

Commissioner Foutris moved to approve the minutes of the Human Relations Commission -Special Meeting held on February 2,2017. Commissioner Kramer seconded. The motion was unanimously approved.

IV. Old Business

a. Iron Chief Cook-off Competition - The number of tickets sold was 108; the event was considered a success. The Fire Department was declared the winner. Commission Foutris will send a letter to the 15 restaurants/vendors that participated and donated food. The Niles Township Food Pantry will receive a donation of $3,359 from the proceeds. Two photographers were present and took pictures.

b. Human Relations Commission Award - No applications have been received. Management Analyst Heather McFarland placed a posting on all Village social media sites.

c. Food Drive - Management Analyst Heather McFarland will post the donation locations on all Village social media sites.

V. New Business

Diversity Event Summer 2017 - The Village of Streamwood will host an art fair titled, Art Appreciation Around the World on April 22, 2017. The HRC will consider hosting a similar event in August.

VI. Public Forum

Mr. Raymon Grossman reported that he e-mailed the Oak Park, Illinois Ordinance along with a news article, "Welcoming Village" to Village of Lincolnwood elected officials, and Commissioner Kramer. Mr. Grossman urged the HRC to sponsor a similar ordinance and present it to the Village of Lincolnwood Board of Trustees so Lincolnwood can become a sanctuary city.

Mr. Grossman also asked the HRC to consider assisting the Niles Township Food Pantry by soliciting food donations while standing outside a grocery store. He stated the time commitment is only a few hours per month.

VII. Good of the Order

Commissioner Kramer acknowledged all of the volunteers who helped at the Iron Chief Cook­off Competition. Commissioner Kramer reminded the Commissioners about the grand opening of the Lincolnwood Library which is scheduled for March 2,2017.

VIII. Staff Report

No report

IX. Adjournment

Commissioner Holmes made a motion to adjourn at 7:48 PM. Commissioner Koleff-May seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Holmes Commissioner

MML: 2/21/17 1S\ Reading *3/6/17

THIS ORDINANCE MAY BE CITED AS VILLAGE ORDINANCE NUMBER

17-3-C-

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 58, ARTICLE I, HUMAN RELA TIONS CHAPTER, OF THE SKOKIE VILLAGE CODE

PERTAINING TO THE GENERAL POLICIES OF THE VILLAGE OF SKOKIE

WHEREAS, Chapter 58, of the Skokie Village Code provides for Human Relations as 2 a matter of right in the Village; and

3 WHEREAS, the United States of America is a nation founded by immigrants seeking 4 refuge from oppression, discrimination and religious persecution, and the Village of Skokie 5 has a long history of being a place that welcomes immigrants into its community and 6 prohibiting any and all kinds of bigotry, hate crimes, intolerance and discrimination; and

7 WHEREAS, the Village of Skokie recognizes the value and contribution that 8 immigrants make to the community, be it those who immigrated decades ago and have 9 remained a valuable part of the community ever since, or those who have joined the Village of

10 Skokie mere weeks ago and strive to enrich it; and

11 WHEREAS, the Village of Skokie is and has always been a community of immigrants, 12 making up 40% of the population of the Village of Skokie and hailing from over 90 countries; 13 and

14 WHEREAS, there is now significant fear amongst immigrants throughout the country, 15 as turmoil has created a level of uncertainty with regards to universal access to local 16 municipal services and police and fire protection; and

17 WHEREAS, the Village of Skokie is cognizant of effects of having a portion of our 18 community living in constant fear, not knowing whether it is safe to make contact with 19 emergency and other Village services, and seeks to allay recent fears in their already difficult 20 lives; and

21 WHEREAS, the Village of Skokie considers immigrant rights to be unequivocally a 22 matter of human rights, and that fundamentally everyone deserves to live with an expectation 23 of basic safety and security; and

24 WHEREAS, the Village of Skokie has always maintained, and will continue to 25 maintain, a policy to offer services regardless of immigration status, and to not inquire about 26 such status for any reason; and

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WHEREAS, there has arisen at this time in national events, a need for this Village of Skokie policy to become a public part of the Skokie Village Code, rather than an internal policy; and

WHEREAS, the Village Manager and Corporation Counsel recommended to the Mayor and Board of Trustees that Chapter 58, Article I, of the Skokie Village Code be amended accordingly; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Board of Trustees at a public meeting duly held on February 21, 2017 concurred in the aforesaid recommendation of the Village Manager and Corporation Counsel; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Village of Skokie, Cook County, Illinois;

Section 1 : That Chapter 58, Article I, of the Skokie Vii/age Code be tlnd t~e sam~ is hereby amended in the manner hereinafter indicated. The new material is bigbli9ht@4ii1 bOld.

Chapter 58 HUMAN RELATIONS

ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL

H<i~~~~;:'~,gi~tri,~j

No Village staff; 'eleite(fQ~' apP9in,ted .• ()mcialS~, ortaijy, otller>p~ha~tiAgt Qn"ti~tiatfof th,~ ,,,illag"$llaltiA an,~ay a$$ist, ~n'abJe,()rpartiCipate inth~c~ .. ~~r; ... ai~~na~c~ C?fr ~ao~; p~q9ral11 ~~() fre,gi~~rUndividtllal~t ilJ: ;,th.~Y.Di~~ ;St;l~e!I'. ba~~ _ _ theilt.~e$.ga natiQn~' orig~i,n,or. r~Ugiol!)~

$;'Q.!j;~~;:,idm .. i9~aijQg:,~wtys .. b~$ecj threat'lf:Rl1p.hi"-i~d~

N~.:Villag~~itaff;E!:rE(c~~ :·oi~ ,~ppo'~b!d·'~flici~T~pany,joiJ1ii'~p~ctl~iF~tj::,tleti~I~:~l til, Villas_will -'. c~er~i ;inchJdil1glJsingthreatS- ',Qf" deportatio";:; Q'f~g,il!J.- in"vercb~~ abu~e jof:an~ perso.n f;)ased (.Ipo'\, ttie pefsonJ.iQr~ thEt , p@,r!OIil' ... J~lmUy.),@mije~'iJqu.j p~~er:eeive<i. ejtiien~f:tJlt()r itrlrr)i9fition '~_ttl$~

$~Q:~~Q~: RQ,q\t.I~jthj9 'f:f1fQ;rn.citiqri :prQt1ibiJ;~~

No Village, 'staff,elect_, OrapPQintedomelals" dr ~any: othe(:pafty -aetin9' on behalf.C)f !~!Vi!I~I~",~~afl '·· r~q~~f~}nf~rn1a~ignabo~(·~r ·pthQ~~S~ ~ inv.s~9~tAl : it1.S:'$l.~ift."@ m¥e$tfgat,g'loftti" cltll§..n$Jjlp Onmmlgfat'l,),Q$t;atlJ$Qf.any' PI,I'$O.·

Anyvmage form' ';fie'ds 'l'equesti ... g: infQrrn.fiprl',onf~e.tizenshfp or.·lmmigrati'6n)statu$ s~al.l .b~ r~moved, ' (.Inless·suehinforination\is;rlfu:,tlred. bysqtute" fl.1'4. r~PlatJ9B; oli itn :Qr:~'rgfJ'eo""r,1; Qf;;~ompeteot·jud$djetiQIl~

Sec~'58..;4;;;Right~tQ;MiU~ge. serVices·and .• · binefjtS:regardleS$ofammlgration"status~ Page 2 of 3

VOSDOCS-#51 017 4-v1-0rdinance_Code_Amendment_ Chapter_58_ GeneraLPolicies_Human_Relations,doc 2/16/2017 9: 18 AM

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,No ,Village> staff; 'ejected .9r apPoInted ·official$~QranY9therpartY~actlijgoh beliaif,o( thi! Village shall . ' ~ondition thE! receipt of , *III~ge ·, serVices, · benefi~' 9 .. ' ;,~ny" , ;othe~ advantage,uponcitizen$hipOrimmigration~tatHsQn'~$~. re,quire,~t~;r~Q 'so' b.yi:$tftt,YNJ fede,[at,reg .. d~tiQP oran ,brd~t, Qf.a :,~QJ01oJ.C9rope:t~nt'j'YiisdictiQn~

$~c; ~.$:.s. 'P~ta,ome_l1t~

The:VIUage shall . not detaJrial1yindlvidualbils~(Ji Qn their ¢iti~~m~hip: QrJmmigrafiQrl s~t~s ,q!1l~spyrsuanJ to a.n oyt"§mrlC:,ing. criP101~i warr.iul~

Sec;.· sP.:6;Ass_,$tance' wittJ,eilforcemellt QPeiafi,Qns;

No Village: ,taB .. ol!~ an~': . party, actl~g , ()n~ b8halfofthe, 'Villag~jsha,t.,ac~f)pt\'reque$.s; ~ ai1.~ 'agencie$,to suPportOf;i assist with imnligrat[o[l; enforceJi1entoperations~+iru:IQcling but not limited to ,reques~,toprovide)nformation-on ' persons who miW, bethe{$~bj" ofimmigrationenforcementoperatipos ,(exceptas: ma¥be/rf!Q.lIitect,undQF'$gctlPJ'lL~~ tbi~Art.icl@lc)r. ·to 'Qtheiwi,~ b~;.P~sentjtp,;a$$'i$t:Qr$UPp()'l1,a~:;o~~tiQn~

S~_¢§,8tt~nf9rm~ti~i:1 . regJJ!dlrig: Qitiz'f!shlp;.~~,. imn'dgljlti91l.$faiQij

Nothing. i!ithls :Article '),;cihibltS theC'Village~seri«;tintf to,T()r,1iecEHVin9: from~ ' aii~J~~~ ~~~~lqri-l federal" ag.n'cY~a ,stat~me"'t ott.'itl~i\':idualr&,tCOuQtrP,9f:~JJjti:zeFi$bil~·C,i" ~~!e-'!l~,t~~f~"all ~nd~~dual's'.imiJ1.igrationt~tur~Vl!~j~~,'Jjal ' _b~jnjti'U~t~~ tederal 'la\'Y:d9~~ not allow-suet) prohibitiori~

Section 2: That this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval and publication in pamphlet form as provided by law.

ADOPTED this day of March, 2017.

Ayes: Nays: Absent:

Attested and filed in my office this day of March, 2017; and published in pamphlet form according to law from March

, 2017 to March , 2017.

Village Clerk

Page 3 of 3

Village Clerk

Approved by me this March day of ,2017.

Mayor, Village of Skokie

VOSDOCS4I51 017 4-v1-0rdinance_ Code_Amendment_ Chapter _58_ General_Policies_Human_Relations.doc 2116/2017 9: 18 AM

MML: 2/21/17

THIS RESOLUTION MAY BE CITED AS VILLAGE RESOLUTION NUMBER

17-2-R

A RESOLUTION HONORING OUR RESIDENTS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND HOUSES OF WORSHIP THAT WELCOME AND HELP SETTLE

IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES IN SKOKIE AND URGING THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ADOPT PENDING LEGISLATION

RESPECTING IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS

WHEREAS, the United States of America is a nation founded by immigrants seeking 2 refuge from oppression, discrimination and religious persecution, and the Village of Skokie has 3 a proud and distinguished history of being a place that welcomes immigrants into its community 4 and prohibiting any and all kinds of bigotry, hate crimes, intolerance and/or discrimination; and 5

6 WHEREAS, the Village of Skokie values is and has always been a community of 7 immigrants, including residents from over 90 countries making up 40% of the popUlation; and 8

9 WHEREAS, the Village of Skokie strives to create a culture of inclusivity for all of its 10 residents through programs and events, including the Human Relations Commission which 11 promotes understanding and respect between residents of various racial, religious and ethnic 12 backgrounds; its annual Festival of Cultures which highlights Skokie's diversity; and its support 13 of the Niles Township ELL Parent Center; and 14

15 WHEREAS, the Village of Skokie's Department of Human Services has worked for years 16 with the needs of immigrant families and immigrant residents interested in taking on community 17 leadership roles through volunteerism, service on a board or commission and/or as an elected 18 official; and 19

20 WHEREAS, the Skokie Police Department hosts programs to acquaint the international 21 community with its community policing, crime prevention and neighborhood watch programs; 22 and 23

24 WHEREAS, due to the continuing war, turmoil and unrest in Syria, and other parts of the 25 world, numerous individuals, organizations and houses of worship within Skokie have been 26 working tirelessly to welcome and settle immigrants and refugees from these affected countries; 27 and 28 29 WHEREAS, the Village of Skokie pledges and reaffirms that its Departments will 30 continue to support these individuals and worthy organizations through staff services and other 31 resources; and 32

33 WHEREAS, the Village of Skokie wishes to commend, honor and encourage our 34 residents, organizations and houses of worship for their work to help and welcome immigrants 35 and refugees to the Village of Skokie and encourages continued efforts for this purpose; and 36

Page 1 of 2 VOSDOCS #510305-v2, Resolution, Honoring Work with Immigrants & Refugees 2/16/2017 9:21 AM

1 WHEREAS, currently there are two bills pending in the Illinois Legislature, HB 3099, 2 which seeks to build trust between law enforcement agencies and immigrant communities and 3 HB 0426, which denies access to federal authorities without a valid court-issued warrant for 4 immigration enforcement at State funded schools, universities and healthcare facilities; and 5

6 WHEREAS, the Village of Skokie is the first municipality in the State of Illinois to 7 affirmatively call upon and urge the Illinois General Assembly to adopt and enact both HB 3099 8 and HB 0426. 9

10 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the 11 Village of Skokie, Cook County, Illinois that our residents, organizations and houses of worship 12 be commended, honored and encouraged to undertake efforts to help settle immigrants and 13 refugees in Skokie, and for their continued effort at creating a better society and Village. 14 Furthermore, the Village of Skokie calls upon the Illinois General Assembly and Governor 15 Rauner to protect all residents of Illinois by adopting and enacting HB 3099 and HB 0426. 16

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PASSED this day of February, 2017.

Ayes: Nays: Absent:

Attest:

Village Clerk

Page 2 of 2

Village Clerk

Approved by me this February, 2107.

Mayor, Village of Skokie

VOSDOCS #51 0305-v2, Resolution, Honoring Work with Immigrants & Refugees 2/16/20179:21 AM

day of

Information on House Bills HB 3099 and HB 0426 as cited in the Village of Skokie Welcoming Ordinance -

Please Review

Bill Status of HB3099 100th General Assembly Synopsis As Introduced

Creates the Illinois Trust Act. Provides that no law enforcement agency may detain or continue to detain any individual solely on the basis of any immigration detainer or administrative warrant, or otherwise comply with an immigration detainer or administrative warrant, after that individual becomes eligible for release from custody. Provides that a law enforcement official or other law enforcement agency personnel shall not give an immigration agent access to an individual or allow an immigration agent to use law enforcement agency facilities for investigative interviews or other investigative purposes; transfer a person into an immigration agent's custody; permit federal Immigration Custom Enforcement agents use of agency facilities, information, or equipment, including an agency's electronic database for investigative interviews or other investigative purpose or for purposes of executing an immigration enforcement operation; or respond to immigration agent inquiries regarding an individual's incarceration status, release date, or contact information except insofar as the agency makes that information available to the public. Amends the Police Training Act. Requires the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to conduct or approve a training program on federal U and T nonimmigrant visas and other federal immigration remedies for immigrant victims of qualifying criminal activity. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Makes changes in provisions concerning special immigrant juvenile status. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that no person subject to an immigration detainer or administrative warrant shall be denied bail solely on the basis of that immigration detainer or administrative warrant. Makes changes in provisions concerning post­conviction proceedings. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Bill Status of HB0426 100th General Assembly Synopsis As Introduced

Creates the Immigration Safe Zones Act. Provides that schools, medical treatment and health care facilities, and places of worship may not grant access to State and local law enforcement agencies that have entered into an agreement with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement or undertake other joint efforts with federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies to investigate, detain, or arrest individuals for violation of federal immigration law, unless a court has issued a warrant and appropriate personnel have reviewed that warrant and have consented to access or unless required by law and appropriate personnel have consented. Prohibits employees of elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education from asking about a student's immigration status or that of the student's family members, with exceptions. Requires the Department of Human Services to provide training or make training available to teachers, administrators, and other staff of elementary and secondary schools, as well as to medical treatment and health care facilities, on how to deal with immigration issues and how to notify families of those issues in multiple languages. Requires appropriate personnel of a facility to develop a plan to provide assistance, information, and safety to persons who are concerned about the government's immigration enforcement efforts. Provides for the removal of certain file information by State agencies, public schools, and public institutions of higher education. Contains a severability clause. Effective immediately.

V"II f St d ~ ! .. age 0 reamwoo Community Relations

Commission presents

Art Appreciation Around the

World

Join us for this FREE event!

Featuring displays of two- ,.nd three­

dimensional art created by local artisans,

including paintings, wc~odwork, jewelry,

sculptures, and more.

Artists will be present to '-----'---------' discuss their work. ~ Refreshments provided.

Saturday, April 22, 2017 1 :00·4:00 pm

Poplar Creek Library 1405 S. Park Avenue

NEWS

Local leaders study, niull I over sanctuary city status I Pioneer Press

A rally last month at the Muslim Education Center in Morton Grove drew l!P"" proximately 1,500 people in protest of President Donald Trump's immigration re­strictions, and had rally OT­

ganizers calling for munici­palities to become san(.:tuary cities and villages.

Following the Morton Grove rally, a group of resi­dents asked Skokie to adopt sanctuary or welcoming laws. Even though such laws were not on the books then, Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen said it is village policy never to ask about immigra­tion status.

Community leaders in Skokie also recently created a campaign. Skokie Wel­comes Everyone, under a newly formed group called Skokie Cares.

unlike in nearby Skokie, N"!les leaders have not ex­perienced any such push to adopt sanctuary legislation. said Niles Mayor Andrew Przybylo.

Still, Przybylo said. N"ues will offer the community a chance to weigh in on the idea befure the village's next board meeting. The mayor said he has called for com­munity discussion at 5:30 pm. Feb. 28 at Village Hall.

"Wf!ve made no plans to do one thing or another," Przybylo said. "Cook County is a sanctuary county so in some ways it doesn't matter what we · do here. It's more about what the county does!'

The mayor said he de­cided to hold the discussion after he received a media iIlquiry about the village's position following the Mor­ton Grove rally. He said he doesn't have an opinion right now about how N"!les should proceed.

Patricia Ballard. a one­year resident of N"!les. said she is certain to show up for the meeting. '~ I was getting very

~1F.n;i~,,---, i

PATRICK GORSKVPIOtIEER PRESS

An estimated crowd of more than 1,500 marched Jan. 29 In Morton Grove against Immigration policies.

concerned about our goy- ministratorTimWibergsaid! ernment the ()tiler day," she the village has been con­said. "I wondered ifN"1les is a tacted by one resident who sanctuary city and if it's not, supports sanctuary status why not?" for Lincolnwood. He said

Becomingasanctuaryvil- the resident was invited to !age is also under study in " address the Village Board at Morton Grove, according to any future meeting. Village Administrator Ralph "The subject has not Czerwinski. come to our board yet," he

Czerwinski said the vil- said. "The board has not lage has been contacted by instructed me to put it on about a dozen residents, any agenda!' some who support sanctu- Lincolnwood police Sgt. ary status for Morton Grove Tim O'Connor said police and others who don't In generally do not explore response, he said, the mayor immigration status during asked him and the police arrests. chief to develop a report for "If we do arrest someone the Village Board. "\'I"ho wasn't born inAmerica,

"Wlire kind of taking a one thingwe do is ask them watch-and-see situation if they want to contact their here now, getting some in- consulate;" he said. "They formation from our Police are given that option. Out­Department," he said. side of that, we've never

''Generally, we don't ask really had an issue with people about their iIrunigra- something like this!' tion status," Morton Grove If a warrant were issued police Chief Michael Simo by the U.S. Immigration and said. "Nobody evetl has time Customs Enforcement, he to deal with that stuff" said. the village would com-

Likewise, the village does ply, although that is ararity. not detain anyone on a civil "we're not going out of immigration violation. but if our way to contact I(;E it's a criminal immigration when we've arrested some­violation. the chief said, the one;' he said. village lets the proper im- Some local state legisla­migration authorities mow. tors have also said there is a

Czerwinski said there is push in Springfield for sane­no schedule as to when the tuary status for Dlinois. AI­report will be completed. though some legislation has

'We want to make sure been drafted, they said. the any move we make is appro- outcome is uncertain. priate for the whole com-munity;' he said. mis<ulcs@pioneerlocal.com

Lincolnwood Village Ad- Twitter@SKReview..Mike

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NEWS

Looking for sanctuary Group pushes for Skokie to adopt protections for the undocumented

By :Mnm Isu.cs Pioneer Press

Some Skokie residents who said they are part of a newly-funned group called Skokie Citizens for Action are urging village leaders to pursue making Skokie a sanctuary municipality.

< Duringcitizencomments at the Feb. 6 Skokie Vdlsge Board meetin& several resi­dents said the village needs to take this ~tep - even while acImowledging Sko­kie has been a ~coming town to ethnically diverse residents.

Skokie resident Jessica Beverly said it was at a recent unity march held in Morton Grove where groups were encouraged to work to try to expand" the sanctuary village move­ment. While the Skokie VIi­lageBoardwasmeetingFeb. 6, she noted, the Oak Park Village Board was votingon sanctuary status fur its vil­lage.

"It is up to us as citizens of this great nation and wonderful village to stand fur something more than caringaboutdiversityandto make ourselves heard and understood to be a sanctu­aryvillage," Beverly said

Sanctuary cities and vil­lages commonly provide protection fur undocu­mented immigrants.

The subject of sanctuary status fur toWDS moved front and center recently after President Donald Trump signed an executive order restricting or banning inmtigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries - a policy now being legally challenged. Trump has also threatened to withhold federal funding to sanctuary municipalities.

Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen said the village has had a long-standing hands-off policy regarding residents' immigration sta­tus even ifithas not adopted sanctuary status legislation.

"The viDage's policy is and always has been, and it will continue to be, that we

tw.S 0

-----: -.. :.

::·:·t:::~~;:· " ~,:)': ' P.'iTII!C1t (t,ORSKVPIONEER PRESS

Organizers of the Jan. 29 anti-Trump ImmigratIon policy rally held at the Muslim Education Center In Morton Grove also encouraged towns to adopt sanctuary ordinances. Some Skokie residents are pushing for the village to establish such a sanctuary policy.

do not ask anyone their immigration status," Van Dusensaid. "We do notkeep immigration records and we are not the immigration police."

Whenever anyone asks fur police, fire or human services of any kind, he said, they are not asked about their immigration status - a policy the mayor said will not change. "

But Van Dusen also said that Skokie relies on federal funding of about $1.5 mil­lion annually.

"This isn't change," he said ''This is real money and it affects people."

According to Van Dusen, some of that money goes toward community block grant funding. which is dis­tributed to projects and social service agencies that help low- and moderate­income residents. Federal funding has also paid for vaccinations, emergency preparedness and even for the hiring of firefighters, he said .

"What we're trying to do

is strike a balance," the mayor said : Although only a few

members of Skokie Citizens for Action spoke Feb. 6, many came to support the group's position.

Caroline Paulison An­drew said she funned the group after the Jan. 21 Women's March in Chicago. According to the group's Facebook psge, there are currently about 190 mem­bers.

"Skokie Citizens fur Ac­tion consists of area women and men who are dedicated to fighting to preserve - on local, stnte and federal levels -the civil and human rights of all u.s. citizens and resi­dents," according to the group's social media page.

Some members asked the village Feb. 6 to stand with other cities and villages that have declared themselves sanctuaries. Chicago, Ev­anston and Oak Park are among sanctuary munici­palities.

Under Oak Park's ordi­nance, no village agency or

employee is permitted to accept requests by the u.s. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other agen­cies to support or assist in any capacity with inmtigra­tion enforcement op­erations. Should an employ­ee receive a request to support or assist in an im­migration enforcement 0p­eration, the employee shall report the request to a supervisor, who will deny the request, the ordinance states.

Unless the village is pre­sented . with a valid and properly issued criminal warrant, the village is not allowed to transfer any per­son into ICE custody; ac­cording to the ordinance.

"Everyone in our village needs information to make an educated choice because _ it's serious; said Skokie resident Janice Sackett, commenting on whether the village should adopt a similar law. "We know the background of Skokie. I've lived here fur many; many; many years. But there's also

the issue of put your money where your mouth is."

The mayor acknowl­edged that the threat to take federal funding away from sanctuary cities is not a certainty.

"Should the village of Skokie betaking a stand that we should be able to do these thingl; and not risk getting funding?" Sackett asked.

"Maybe we need to put ourselves out there with other cities like Chicago, like Evanston .• and other cities who will all be in the same boat as we are:'

Van Dusen and other village officials Feb. 6 also emphasized what they con­sidered Skokie's continued reputation for being ~­coming to residents of di­verse backgrounds.

The village hosts the Fes­tival of Cultures and Com­ing 'lbgether in Skokie, the mayor said, and a NIles Township Interfaith Dinner on Thanksgiving Eve draws hundreds of people of dif­ferentfaiths every year.

He called the events more than just gatherings. The mayor said they dem­onstrate support for all of skokie's residents.

In the wake of concerns over cont:roversial national immigration policy, some local community leaders funned a new group, Skokie Cares, the mayor said. The group is supporting a cam­paign it calls "Skokie Wel­comes Everyone."

"We are a group of com­munity members who are working on 8 campaign to welcome. and support ev­eryone who lives in Sirokie," according to the organiza­tions' website.

The campaign asks pe0-ple to display "Skokie weI­comes everyone" signs in their windows and promis­es more activities in the future.

Skokie Vdlage Manager John Lockerby, a member of Skokie Cares, said the group hasmetonlyoncebut will hold another public meeting this month at the DIinois Holocaust Museum. and Education Center.

Van Dusen said this kind of campaign and other ini­tiatives speak louoest about

'Skokie's celebration of di­versity.

"Sanctuary cities is a le­gality," the mayor said "It's 8

political statement, and I think what counts as much, if not more than that, is "What is your conduct? How do you comport your­selves all the time?' q

Beverly said she appreci­ates Skokie's celebration of inclusion and the impor­tance the village places on federal funding. but her group still wants Skokie to take action with "more teeth."

"This is a trying time in our nation, and Skokie needs to stand up." she said "We've always stood up fur what we believe in this community. We need to have more than just a policy about it."

m~~ Twitter@SKReview..Mike