OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Cook County Commission on Human Rights Regular Meeting – July 14, 2026

Board of CommissionersTuesday, July 14, 2026
BodyCook County, Illinois
SessionBoard of Commissioners
DateTuesday, July 14, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:13

I call this meeting to order at 11.06 a.m.

0:17

roll call, please.

0:19

I'll just get loud.

0:22

Commissioner Reverend Tolliver.

0:24

Commissioner Ratner.

0:26

Commissioner Isaacs.

0:28

Present.

0:28

Commissioner Sherma.

0:30

Present.

0:30

Chair Sohel.

0:32

Chair, you have a quorum of five members present and uh three are absent.

0:38

Wonderful.

0:38

Four correction for asked.

0:41

Any statements from the general public.

0:49

Thank you so much.

0:50

Chair takes a motion to approve today's agenda.

0:54

Thank you.

0:54

May I have a second, please?

0:56

Sorry.

0:56

All those in favor, please say aye.

0:58

All those who oppose, please say nay.

1:00

Agenda is approved.

1:02

Chair changed the motion to approve in January 29th, 2026.

1:09

We'll move.

1:10

Yeah, second, please.

1:12

All those in favor, please say aye.

1:15

All those opposed, please say nay.

1:17

Regular meeting opening this are approved and let the record reflect that uh commissioner is also in attendance.

1:25

Any commissioner updates seeing the director's report.

1:37

So we can share.

1:49

So I'll note that uh we did go through the through the first uh full quarter of the year.

1:58

Um the total cases pending across all stages.

2:02

This is something that we're adding um so that it's clear kind of all the active cases that we're working on at a given time.

2:08

So the total for the first quarter is 240.

2:11

I believe the current as we stand now is around that amount as well.

2:16

And then uh 260 inquiries, fairly consistent with last the last quarter of fiscal year 25 and 112 new cases or new complaints filed in the first quarter.

2:27

Note that that is uh 32 more than the last um uh quarter of the fiscal year of 2026 or the last quarter of the fiscal year 2025.

2:38

Uh investigations closed 80.

2:42

And of those uh that were closed, 18 were duplicate cases.

2:46

Uh note that sometimes the duplicates are individuals we notice are filing uh the identical or substantially similar complaints.

2:55

Um sometimes different investigators are working on those, so sometimes there is work that's being done on them before it's identified as a duplicate.

3:03

Then I'll note that one of the cases were was resolved after administrative hearing, two cases settled, and the known total uh settlement amount is 700.

3:14

So when you say two uh staff are working on the same case, do they know they are working on the same sometimes?

3:22

It's not apparent right away.

3:25

Um so as they're talking about the cases, uh of course working with the deputy director to my right, uh it becomes apparent that these are the same.

3:34

And what we've seen as well is that it's not always readily apparent uh that it's a duplicate.

3:40

Sometimes we see complainants who are filing what appears to be a duplicate, but it's maybe like a different respondent or there's some additional claim, and so there is work involved in identifying.

3:50

So then do I mean to come to a consensus of what the outcome is?

3:58

Sure.

3:58

So generally, and I can let my speak to this a bit more, but in working with Tamaya, she will direct them on kind of the steps to take from there in terms of either sometimes it's a consolidation of a complaint if it's the same claims but two different respondents or three different respondents, uh, or uh dismissal of the duplicate if it's just completely duplicate, dismissal of the duplicate one of the duplicate complaints, and then they proceed with the other.

4:25

Mary, did you want to add to that?

4:26

Uh yes, that's absolutely correct.

4:28

And then sometimes depending on who's further along in the matter, then we will um, you know, if it's the same situation, we'll either close it as a duplicate or if it's something that needs to be merged in with an existing and we'll assign it to the investigator that's further along, but they usually notify me, you know, um, or we're examining the system or uh our data team will flag that hey got similar cases, so that's been our way of uh kind of identifying and trying to resolve these matters or reaching out to the complainant if there's additional details and they've added something else to figure out hey, is this something unique that needs to be treated as a separate complaint, or is this something that you're just adding to your already existing site?

5:11

So any other questions on the data before I move to the remainder of the report.

5:22

I also there'll be time for more questions as you kind of digest the information.

5:26

I do want to note that we will be hosting uh similar to last year, a commissioner summer social um following our July 9th commission meeting.

5:36

And also for the next that next meeting, we will be having chair and vice chair elections.

5:41

So please uh submit your nominations by the end of June so that we can include that on the agenda.

5:50

And then I will turn it to Claire to present the policy matters.

5:55

Yes.

5:56

Hi everyone, I'll try and project this way.

5:59

Um starting off, our policy and data team has published uh not published but completed in a policy memo on artificial intelligence and discusses how AI can potentially be used in the employment and housing spaces, it's potential uses, potential harms, the current legal landscape and arguments maybe for and against regulation and then potential next steps.

6:26

Um we have also continued to update our public dashboard.

6:31

Uh I believe if you scroll down a little bit, there's a picture of what the dashboard currently looks like.

6:37

Um highlights from the dashboard is there were 25 cases filed in March, which is a little bit outdated now, but we're hoping to do a June 1st update as well.

6:48

And then also the dashboard showing that 112 cases were filed this quarter, and there was a 25 point increase from 89 complaints in the previous quarter.

6:58

We also really see the increase in cases from 2024 to 2025.

7:04

Um next, we have launched our complaint portal project.

7:09

So, in partnership with the Bureau of Technology, we're working to create a complaint portal that will provide complainants and respondents with an online portal on our website where they're able to input like a unique ID and it's gonna show like the status of their complaint.

7:26

And we're hoping to do this so that as investigators have a growing caseload, um, they won't have to field as many questions about complaints from complainants and respondents, they'll just be able to know the online portal um TVD on when that portal project will actually be published, but it's in progress.

7:48

And then we are releasing our just housing amendment impact assessment after two years of hard work from everyone.

7:57

Um we invite you all to um to join us next Wednesday for the release of the report.

8:08

And I believe Dr.

8:10

Laura Nasbomba Marina from Research Collective, who was our lead researcher with Roosevelt University and uh Gwendell Robinson, the executive director of the store justice will both be there to do a fireside chat.

8:24

Um we're very excited to finally release the court, and I think those are all the policy members.

8:34

Thank you for it.

8:35

Also, we will be sharing a copy of the report um that assessment with you all as well directly.

8:42

And then Commissioner Levinski.

8:44

Which assessor is so we did a um a research partnership with Roosevelt University to review the impact of the just housing amendment, looking at the kind of the data that we don't have just from um complaint data.

8:57

And so that assessment will be released, and then Claire will actually do a review of the report at the beginning of the event next Wednesday, uh, followed by that discussion between um the lead researcher uh from Roosevelt as well as um uh Wendell uh was with uh re-entry services as they have a discussion about just like the actual connecting the data with the real world impact and what they're seeing in the community.

9:27

Um I my questions were um on the AI memo and just curious what's the like says next steps and what are the long-term further goals on this um AI and employment and housing is incredibly complicated at the moment.

9:48

I think a lot of organizations are trying to figure out how to deal with this.

9:54

Um, and I'm just curious if we're taking any particular stance on it, or if this is just like some you know, general information, links to other things.

10:03

I'm just curious what the vision is.

10:06

Thank you for that question.

10:07

So the intent is that so we wanted to provide with you all kind of a an overview of the current landscape.

10:14

We are working on guidance in terms of how AI interacts with our current anti-discriminate anti-discrimination provisions in employment and housing.

10:24

So when employers or housing providers use AI, when would that result in a violation under the existing ordinance provisions?

10:32

Uh, and then determining if there are any gaps or we need to recommend uh ordinance amendments to account for AI usage in this in these spaces.

10:42

This this memo is just internal to the commissioner.

10:46

Yes, this is not a public facing.

10:49

Okay, gotcha.

10:50

And then our intention is to draft something that is have a draft uh that is public facing that we will bring to the commission for review and input uh so that we can give some guidance not only to individuals who are who would be impacted um by the employment and housing like usage of AI there, but also employers and housing providers who are trying to navigate this space as well.

11:12

What's the um what's the timing you guys are looking at?

11:17

We intend to bring the memo, the public memo to you all at the next meeting in July.

11:22

And um sorry, like who all are you working with outside of like this group?

11:29

Like currently, no one.

11:32

Um, just because we were initially looking at how it how it's uh in terms of like how our current provisions apply to AI usage.

11:40

Some things have come out of our um open houses with the community advocates in terms of what things they've seen, like different AI tools, um, and that's kind of reviewing like okay, taking into consideration would this result in a violation or things that we've seen in other cases, if that would be looking.

11:58

I think there is a new discussions on the new Illinois law that may be relevant to some of this too.

12:09

I can forward you some information too.

12:12

That's perfect.

12:20

That'd be different from the ones listed here.

12:23

Um I'd have to like I'd have to cross if it is.

12:27

I'm always side that I'll just confirm that it's the same.

12:31

What is the the more information we have the better?

12:33

Okay, yeah, say the only ones are like that.

12:39

There may be something in relation to something that we can do.

12:47

Okay.

12:48

Good question.

12:50

Um, are we doing work with the folks in the charge with uh Minnesota, New York and Richard legislation, Charlotte and seems like interesting key conversation with them?

13:03

Is that something that might be a good opportunity for us to learn like what they're seeing in their states?

13:07

I think at some point when we're looking at what um ordinance amendments might be necessary to keep up, certainly that would be the space.

13:15

Current the thing that we'll bring in July or that policy, it's just like under our existing law, how does that impact AI usage in employment and housing?

13:24

But I think that would be we're we're kind of taking it piecemeal in terms of like what do we currently how do we currently regulate the usage of AI and then trying to identify the gaps there to figure out kind of then how do we address those, uh, which I think will guide those discussions with like yeah, current.

13:43

What about conversation with uh city commission um state commission about active AI and also assessing this?

13:54

I don't I haven't seen anything come out from them in relation to that, but that could be something to consider when we get to that.

14:04

Thank you.

14:04

We thank you.

14:05

We look forward to your feedback, uh all of your feedback on the memo too.

14:09

Just we don't want to miss anything because this is an ever-evolving space and it is very complicated.

14:15

So we want to be sure that we're accounting for all of those things as much as we can.

14:23

So interesting, yeah.

14:25

Trying to stay stable.

14:31

Outreach, I have to read it to the point.

14:35

Um, outreach meanker.

14:38

Thank you.

14:38

Uh good morning, everyone.

14:40

Um outreach, as you can see, we've been very busy.

14:45

Um I won't go through all the events, um, but they're all listed here.

14:50

So if you're curious as to what we've been up to, we've been doing a lot of trainings, we've also been doing thank you.

15:00

Um we've been very busy, and what I was saying was that we've been doing a lot of trainings.

15:04

We've done some trainings in Spanish.

15:06

Um, we've also um participated in a podcast like we did last year.

15:11

Um, and we've been doing a lot of outreach events.

15:14

So we've been connecting with a lot of people um in terms of upcoming outreach activities on June 3rd.

15:21

We're gonna be attending the Illinois Reentry Council quarterly meeting, and this is virtual.

15:26

On June 6th, we'll be hosting a resource table at the Chicago Urban League's annual housing fair.

15:32

Um, in terms of communications, um, we published the just housing amendment background screening process notice to our website in February.

15:41

Um, so this is the downloadable tool for housing providers to use, um, letting um applicants know their rights, letting them know what the application process looks like to ensure that there's compliance with the just housing amendment.

15:57

Um, so we published that back in February.

15:59

Um, and right now our human rights newsletter currently has uh 2,539 subscribers.

16:06

So this is another increase from the last number reported.

16:10

Um, and that's it from us.

16:13

Thank you for your word.

16:14

Thank you.

16:14

Thank you.

16:14

I'll also add that we created a new TikTok account so that we can try to reach individuals there as well.

16:19

So we'll be doing some more like short form videos, um, just so expanding the reach in terms of audiences and where people are going to get their information.

16:28

That's awesome.

16:28

How does that go on with the content creation?

16:31

You got a team on that?

16:33

You know, we're we're figuring it out, we're staffing it accordingly.

16:36

Um we mold over like uh using Tic Tac or just like who's gonna create all that content like Isaac's volunteer.

16:45

I know would you like to help us a few TikToks?

16:50

Bianca is uh doing the content creation.

16:52

If you want to speak to that a little bit, yeah, um we actually later on in June we're gonna um upload a reel that kind of highlights all of the numbers and stats that we reported in the annual human rights report.

17:04

So it looks really nice.

17:06

Like we'll be putting that out.

17:09

So just we're trying to interact with as much people as possible.

17:12

Aside from TikTok, I do want to say that the Instagram account has grown a lot.

17:16

Been taking a lot of the tips from Chair Soul Hell, so thank you.

17:19

Um, but we have seen a good increase since the beginning of the fiscal year and hoping to grow even more by the end of it.

17:27

So yes, if you have any ideas, feel free to share for content creation.

17:37

Um I have a question about outreach.

17:39

It may be a little adjacent outreach.

17:41

Is that okay?

17:42

Um, so especially with just housing.

17:46

I've been noticing we've been hearing about an increase in law enforcement on uh CTA, removing people that are unhoused from CTA.

17:55

And what we're kind of tracking is that uh my other way what we're tracking is that this may lead to increased um size of unhoused communities and an expedited need for more attention to get them rapidly rehoused and it leads to all kinds of public safety and health concerns.

18:14

So it might be a good time to double back with our outreach with all Chicago and all and other types of like houses like rapid housing support to ensure that you know um they're identifying and eliminating any discriminatory barriers that just because there might be a spike in the next year with this increased activity.

18:35

So there's yeah, yeah, some of this may fall under their scope, yeah, or directly maybe just like a coordination type of thing, yeah.

18:49

You remiss without mentioning so I just want to mention that.

18:52

Thank you.

18:52

We're gonna say something to the reports.

18:55

Um, we did participate in the um Illinois reentry councils meeting, and that did come up.

19:00

Um, someone from the mayor's office in a presentation.

19:03

There's an opportunity for us to join the task force on homelessness.

19:06

So we're looking into that.

19:07

Oh, that's great.

19:10

Thanks for sharing.

19:11

Thank you, Close Mr.

19:12

Are there any other questions about the director's report?

19:18

That concludes our director's report for today.

19:21

Thank you.

19:21

Wonderful.

19:22

Thank you so much.

19:23

Great, great, great work.

19:24

Uh next is the 2025 annual report of the Cook County Commission on Red.

19:35

I will kind of give a review of this clear please add anything that I missed.

19:39

But this is our thank you so much.

19:41

Our uh annual report for fiscal year 2025.

19:45

So no Devember, December 1st of 2024 through November uh 2025.

19:50

Uh noting, of course, it includes performance metrics across the entire year.

20:00

So I'll just go through for fiscal year 25, just to do a quick highlight.

20:09

There were a total of 352 cases in FY 2025 in comparison to 151 in FY24 and 94 in 2023.

20:21

So I think that's about 133% increase from the last fiscal year.

20:25

The total active caseload.

20:27

So this is a new metric that we will begin to report on annually as well as on a quarterly basis, as you saw in the director's report.

20:35

Total cases handled across the year, 483.

20:40

Cases closed 239, which is a stark increase from the prior three fiscal years.

20:49

And then reported settlements were 14,547 greater or reported, uh greater than those of the last two fiscal years as well.

20:58

And then there was also a pretty great increase in terms of trainings and community meetings, 146 for the total of FY 2025.

21:09

So noting, of course, the number of uh complaints filed and just the total active caseload, we've seen a stark increase, um, certainly over any of the prior fiscal years.

21:24

Claire, did you want to I'll turn it to you if you want to I can think on the next data section.

21:32

So um next the report goes over commission trends.

21:36

This kind of emphasizes what Jennifer has been talking about in a director's report and um just like what we've been seeing in the increase in complaints over time.

21:47

Um there's a breakdown of the different types of complaints we get.

21:51

So you can see there's a substantial amount of paid leave cases, substantial amount of employment, and housing as well.

21:59

Next, um, there's a little bit of a closer look on the complaints by type.

22:05

Um just giving a breakdown of our most common complaints types, and then again, the most common ones were paid leave at 32%, employment at 25%, and housing at 20%.

22:18

And those constituted 81% of all new complaints.

22:23

Um I'll note that the next section of data does not include any duplicates.

22:28

So if you see any like kind of um differences in the numbers between the totals, these are excluding those duplicates that Jennifer was talking about before.

22:36

But we've made some graphs about the most common cases of discriminations that people file with under the three most common types.

22:45

So housing, employment, and paid leave.

22:47

So you can see in housing, um, housing status, retaliation, source of income, race, ethnicity were all very common bases of discrimination.

22:57

Um, and people can select multiple bases of discrimination.

23:01

So some of these again are like overlapping, and then same with employment, retaliation, disability, and race were all very common.

23:10

And then through paid leave, a lot of people do choose to select multiple different bases.

23:17

And so we saw that there was a fairly even spread of complaints across the different bases, like failure to notify a rent of paid leave, failure to properly compensate, um, things like that.

23:35

I can take the the policy section as well.

23:38

Um so for our our policy highlights, we talked about the equity landscape review that was published this year.

23:48

Um the previous data fellow uh worked to interview different immigration uh community groups and different leaders across the county in immigration to create this report.

24:03

Um the commission provided different conclusions uh through the report, including public awareness, um providing intentional increased outreach is necessary to spread public awareness of language access services.

24:18

Um the second recommendation was to increase services, so expand events and strengthen translation capabilities with regard to public facing materials, and the third was to create a shared understanding, so build widespread internal knowledge of the department's DEI strategies and how they can be expanded to better support the needs of immigrant and refugee communities.

24:38

So the full report is linked in the annual report if you're curious and want to take a closer look.

24:45

Um we also discussed the national origin amendments and guidance documents that were published earlier this year.

25:00

So the definition of national origin was amended to this definition, the place that to individual or once or one of such individuals' ancestors were born, including but not limited to associated physical, cultural, and linguistic linguistic characteristics.

25:10

So we talked a little bit about the publication of that guidance.

25:14

And then some additional highlights.

25:16

We did targeted outreach to screening companies this year, SMERS, which are specialized mental mental health rehabilitation facilities.

25:31

A lot of people like there's an exception there, but it's kind of a little bit more complicated than initially thought.

25:38

So we did some outreach there to those mental health facilities and nursing homes.

25:44

And then we also did a relaunch of the immigration website or web page on the county site.

25:51

So we have been adding new immigrant community organizations and resources for imminent immigrant groups and putting those on the county webpage.

26:00

And then we also did an update of our online decisions database.

26:04

So the database is now searchable by subject matter.

26:10

The most recent years have been updated, which they weren't before.

26:15

And it's mostly been an initiative to help our advocates so that they can better like search decision documents and get information on previous cases.

26:27

So those are the policy sections.

26:31

I can turn it over to outreach and training sections.

26:37

Or I can just leave that's helpful.

26:40

So essentially some of the highlights from outreach and training, of course, an increased number of trainings and community events.

27:05

And we also created paid leave ordinance guidance for school districts as they became the ordinance became effective for them at the beginning of 2025.

27:16

So it was important that they have specific guidance, and there are some differences as how the ordinance applies to them.

27:23

And then I'll also note along with an update to the online searchable database for the human rights cases.

27:30

There were a number of website improvements just to make it easier for individuals to navigate and find the resources that they need.

27:38

So including like you know, icons, just a reorganization, putting things in places that we thought it would be easier for people to kind of easily identify as a as a place, making it a bit more intuitive.

27:51

And then, of course, our um first event that we've done during uh second change and fair housing month in April, uh April of last year in terms of reviewing um the Jess Housement Housing Amendment five years post-passage, uh which included a panel of advocates and also the county board president uh Tony Pripointo.

28:13

It was really a great discussion in terms of the history of how the ordinance came to be, ordinance amendment came to be um its impact currently and where we can go from there.

28:24

And then I'll just make a note of our uh accomplishments and goals uh from last year.

28:31

So last year's goal uh accomplishments, uh of course an increase in complaints while that is of course due to not only um increased awareness uh and out our outreach references, um, but also the um of course paid leave ordinance.

28:48

We also made uh amendments to uh the paid leave uh substantive rules as well as the human rights substantive and procedural rules.

28:57

Uh we brought on additional uh investigators and leveraged uh those individual are of course great team members and case management system to kind of work through these matters.

29:08

You see that the substantial increase of number of cases that were resolved within fiscal year 25, and then of course expanding education and outreach, which the new guidance that was issued, the number of trainings and events that were attended in this uh coming year, fiscal year 2026, continued expansion of our outreach initiatives.

29:31

So, of course, in creating new and some updated guidance materials, and uh we also anticipate having an expanded library video or video library.

29:41

Uh, so more of those short term videos for individuals to learn quickly about like what this actually means to them and incorporating uh specific examples so that they can see how the law applies, may apply to them.

29:54

And then uh strengthen our investigation process.

30:03

We want to make sure that of course there's continued access to the department but that includes not just being able to file a complaint but receiving some resolution to that.

30:13

And then increased transparency and responsiveness as we see with the changes that we're making to our website increased data reporting and searchable databases to make information easy to find for the individuals that are interacting with us.

30:32

Happy to answer any questions.

30:39

I just want to say on screen report all whoever put the work in to put this together it's just such production very clear concise and um thank you to those that work on it.

30:52

I know it's not easy to do this.

30:54

It's all due to our outreach and team and clear if we're working on this they did a really great job in not only just the kind of development of the content but also presenting in a way that's great the report on this kind.

31:10

No this there are some changes uh to the report that we've made in terms of the data that's being presented some of the date additional data metrics and data visualization um we want to continue to figure out ways to make the data more I don't want to say palatable but understandable to individuals whether it's just like presenting it in different forms as well distributed.

31:35

So we distribute it we post it to our so upon approval by the commission we will post it to our website and we'll also share it out directly to our advocacy groups that we work with so that they have awareness of it we'll share it out with the president's office that that can be distributed it can be distributed through those channels as well and it'll go in our newsletter so that individuals can access it there as well and across social media platforms.

31:57

I was going to say yeah that's a good reading of it on take sign up sign them up I know like the I think how do you read page 18 by any other questions comments seeing that chair I just think motion to approve 2025 and the report let's go county commission and human rights can have a second please second all those in favor please say aye aye all those who oppose please say congratulations thank you so much.

32:36

Next up is our proposed CCCHR rule amendment so these we previously made amendments to our procedural rules in relation to commission initiated complaints and in thinking about this a bit more we're recommending some additional changes to ensure that the process is as objective as possible currently complaints of course would come to the commission for final determination which it seems or even request for reconsideration it could be reviewed by the commission.

33:12

So there are some changes to ensure that the commission is not reviewing essentially their own work in that way.

33:18

So I'll note um there's a small change uh to section 42120 it's the they should all be tapped so it'll be the first uh like tab yeah yes page 13 thank you thank you thanks for uh so just noting um just some more specific language it's not a a huge change here it's just uh being a bit more specific in terms of the process like all the commission may initiate but being very clear that it is the um that the executive director or designee would review information about a potential violation and bring it to the commission for formal um approval and the next tab is under the section about decision after hearing and that's particular that we would of course in our normal course of business we receive it a complaint open investigation make a determination of substantial evidence and send it to administrative hearing and then that the AOJ's recommended decision would come back to the commission but because the commission is a party um it seems more fair um that the commission would not review that so uh the recommendation is that after the conclusion of administrative hearing that the hearing officer's decision uh in order shall be considered final and served on the respondent and the commission as a party um and then the next tab uh appeal of that final order instead of it being a request for reconsideration that would come to the commission that it would go uh straight to circuit court for review based on um review of an administrative decision so this is just procedural alignment to kind of give it any perception of or actual kind of conflict of interest that might okay um

35:00

Um, and then the next tab uh appeal of that final order instead of it being a request for reconsideration that would come to the commission that it would go uh straight to circuit court for review based on um review of an administrative decision.

35:20

So this is just procedural alignment to kind of get rid of any perception of or actual kind of conflict of interest that might okay.

35:29

Um just looking at page 13 section for 420-120.

35:37

Um the addition there, there's like a one closed.

35:43

I don't see that kind of format anywhere else throughout the uh rules.

35:50

I just don't know if you want to take that out or align it with kind of the other formatting that's maybe A.

35:59

I don't know.

36:02

The ones here are closed, right?

36:04

And then I think yeah, I mean I don't know, it just it just doesn't look like the rest of it.

36:09

So thank you.

36:11

We'll make that added.

36:13

Um that's your high feel that I'm just a little hung up about this.

36:17

So the I get the reasoning for why the commission wouldn't be reviewing and approving hearing officer decisions about commission initiative chosen by the department.

36:34

No, the department of administrative hearings, they assigned yes.

36:39

Um is there's a separate entity, of course.

36:42

They have their own procedural.

36:44

Is there any is there any like concern about um decisions being a little less I'm like in the blue here?

36:56

Um because the commission's not playing the role of approving it, does that undermine the strength and validity of the findings in any way?

37:06

I don't think so.

37:07

There are other this will just follow uh any other agency that's enforcing their ordinance would send it to administrative in other ways, and even on our ethics side, sometimes there are things that we've sent to administrative hearing for adjudication and a determination there.

37:24

So it would be following that same process that we're seeking to enforce this provision of the ordinance and sending it to the administrative hearing officer to do so.

37:35

And and even when it comes back to the commission, there is some level of deference that is given to the AOJ's uh recommended decision.

37:44

Okay, that is very good.

37:46

Thanks.

37:47

Another question, comment none, chair entertainment to approve the vote proposed CCHR procedure uh amendment second, thank you.

38:02

All those uh will call vote.

38:05

Commissioner Lipinski, yes, Commissioner Reverend Tolliver, Commissioner Ratner, Commissioner Isaacs, yes, Commissioner Sharma, yes, Chair Soho.

38:16

Yes, the motion is approved with six uh's no nays and um three absences next uh uh investigation extension requests for 2024 six 2048.

38:38

Actually, I'm gonna re wait to read them until we use them to vote on them.

38:42

There's a number of investigation requests.

38:45

Um questions for discussion before we move to a vote on the exception requests or any framing.

39:13

I just um uh I'll just note that a lot of these are first requests, which is good to see.

39:19

We don't have a lot of third or fourth requests, which is showing improvement and kind of the uh time.

39:29

So I appreciate a lot of our work by everyone for at least our investigators have been working diligently to get through cases faster.

39:37

And I will note too, we have come up with some new procedures for if things are taking too long to receive matters for parties, you know, sending out uh notices of this missile code to cooperate setting shorter deadlines uh or response, things like that.

39:51

And then if we are not able to get a response, you know, we've come up with standard procedures for dismissal or uh default if it's in the case of respondents.

40:00

So I think that's been helpful.

40:01

We're trying to figure out other ways to manage mediation for settlement or you know, different things like that.

40:08

So they've been exceptional working through the workload, and um we are trying to fill a number of positions too, then I think we help aid in that process even more.

40:19

How many open positions do you have right now?

40:21

Four.

40:33

So we'll wind those will get filled soon.

40:35

But on that note if we're all can we can all share continue sharing the job those things to our network.

40:40

Yeah, I think they've all we may be reposting one, but the others have come down.

40:45

We're doing interviews for some preparing to do interviews for others.

40:51

Is there any um ethical issues under our ethics ordinance about uh commissioners getting recommendations for people, or is it just oh we can only promote it?

41:01

You can promote it generally, and it's um under the uh like SHACMAN exempt um those rules.

41:09

So if it's uh SHACMAN exempt positions, I believe that those can be shared.

41:16

Um, but if it's a SHAME one, then it's like something of that that sort.

41:23

I don't want to we can speak more than that, but you know, we want to make sure everyone has two opportunity that everyone should be flying for the channels.

41:33

Um I just want to say appreciation to investigators.

41:36

I just how hard the work is to get through these things, and it's only a delay if there has to be appreciate you all.

41:44

Um just um now I wouldn't just come to AI SAI you all do that, but that's also why the portal that y'all putting together is so great.

41:58

That's little things like that.

41:59

If anything is less time spent having two course on with nervous Nellies out there that are wondering what's going on with my case because they can slip it up on the portal.

42:08

We're also hoping that will help the people case in that someone can see not just like receiving something, but also you can go on the portal and see like oh okay, they have it.

42:17

I don't need to submit another one.

42:20

So any other questions none, chair and take a motion to approve the investigation extension requests for 2024 H006, 2024 H018, 2024 E00106, 2025 PL00313, 2025, H00324, 2025, PL0035, 2025, PL00346, 2025, PA00348, 2025, PL 00358, 2025 E00364, 2025, H00374, 2025, PA00457, 2025 PL00523, 2025 E00527, 2025 E00213, 2025 E00517, 2025 PL00545, 2025 H00552, 2025 PL 00556, 2025 PL 00331, 2025 CS003, 2025 E0568, 2025 PL 00574, 2025 PA00596, 2025 PA00599, 2025 E00593, 2024 PL 00223.

44:31

Oh, okay.

44:32

Um so correction I mentioned 2025 PA00599, which actually be 2025 PA00598.

44:46

Uh 2024 PL 00223, 2024 PL 002412, 02580508.

45:00

Uh twenty twenty-four PL zero zero two three, twenty twenty-four, PL zero zero two four one two, zero three five, eight zero zero five zero eight, twenty twenty-five PL zero zero five zero nine, twenty twenty-five PL zero zero five one nine, twenty twenty-five, pl zero zero five two four, twenty twenty-five, PA zero zero five three one, twenty twenty-five, PL zero zero five three, twenty twenty-five, PA zero zero, three five nine, twenty twenty-five zero zero three six three.

45:27

Twenty twenty-five, eight zero zero, three six nine, twenty twenty-five PL zero zero, five eight seven, twenty three-five eight zero zero, three nine two, twenty twenty-five zero zero, three nine six, twenty twenty-five PL zero zero five six nine.

45:54

Is the issue that one that's not listed here, but it is in here.

45:58

Yeah, I think so.

46:00

Yeah, five.

46:02

Yeah.

46:03

Anyways.

47:05

Yeah, five nine nine.

47:15

Well, there is five nine as well.

47:17

Okay.

47:19

So correction.

47:20

Um I changed five nine nine to five nine eight.

47:23

We're adding five nine eight.

47:26

Two twenty-five PA zero zero five nine.

47:30

Thank you for that clarification.

47:32

Um motion is uh change the motion.

47:36

Oh second, please.

47:38

Second all those in favor of I.

47:43

I two opposed.

47:45

Extension requests are I have one question on just investigations.

47:52

Um is the department or looking into or using any tools to help assist initial processing of components.

48:07

Um guidance that we proceeded to not use.

48:13

I think the county's looking at two like proprietary AR.

48:18

So explore potentially.

48:29

All those in favor, which are all those who pose.

48:33

We'll now move over to executive session.

1:12:18

Thank you so much.

1:12:20

All right, back in general session.

1:12:22

First thing is chair to take the motion to approve the January twenty-nine, twenty twenty-six regular meeting closed minutes.

1:12:31

Thank you.

1:12:32

May have a second, please.

1:12:33

Thank you.

1:12:33

All those in favor, please say aye.

1:12:36

All those opposed, please say nay.

1:12:38

January twenty-nine, twenty twenty-six, regular meeting closed minutes are approved.

1:12:44

Uh chair takes a motion to approve the request for reconsideration.

1:12:49

Um for case number twenty twenty-six, PA zero zero one zero.

1:12:57

So thank you, maybe a second, please.

1:13:00

All those in favor, please say aye.

1:13:02

All those who opposed, please say nay.

1:13:08

Chair takes a motion to request the to open the commission initiated complaint as presented.

1:13:18

Um later date.

1:13:20

Sorry, Chair.

1:13:20

We should have done a roll call on the request for reconsideration as well as uh.

1:13:28

So going back, we need to do a roll call vote for request for reconsideration for case number 2026.

1:13:40

Yes.

1:13:47

So on the motion to approve the request for reconsideration for case number 2026, PA zero zero one zero.

1:13:58

Commissioner Lapinsky.

1:14:00

Commissioner Reverend Talliver.

1:14:02

Commissioner Ratner.

1:14:04

Commissioner Isaacs.

1:14:06

Commissioner Sharma.

1:14:07

Chair Sohel.

1:14:09

Commissioner Hart chair, the motion uh passes with uh unanimous vote in the absences.

1:14:16

Thank you so much.

1:14:17

Chairman to require to approve the request of the commission initiated complaints.

1:14:32

Thank you.

1:14:49

Commissioner Reverend Toliver.

1:14:51

Commissioner Ratner.

1:14:52

Commissioner Isaacs.

1:14:54

Aye.

1:14:54

Commissioner Sharma.

1:14:55

Chair Sohel?

1:14:56

Aye.

1:14:57

The motion is approved by unanimous vote and reaction.

1:15:00

Wonderful.

1:15:01

Thank you.

1:15:02

Anything else anyone would like to share or add before we adjourn our meeting today?

1:15:19

Second.

1:15:20

All those in favor, please say aye.

1:15:22

Aye.

1:15:22

All those who oppose, please.

1:15:25

Meeting is adjourned at twelve twenty-one.

1:15:29

Yeah.

1:15:30

Thank you all so much.

1:15:31

And great great work.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████66%
Technology and Innovation██████9%
Data Sharing█████8%
Community Engagement█████8%
Personnel Matters███5%
Homelessness███4%
Summary of Proceedings

Cook County Commission on Human Rights Regular Meeting – July 14, 2026

The Cook County Commission on Human Rights held its regular meeting on July 14, 2026, at 11:06 a.m., adjourning at 12:21 p.m. Chair Sohel presided with a quorum of five members present and three absent. The meeting covered the director’s quarterly report, updates on policy and outreach, approval of the FY2025 annual report, adoption of procedural rule amendments, and approval of multiple investigation extension requests.

Consent Calendar

  • The agenda was approved by voice vote.
  • The regular meeting minutes of January 29, 2026, were approved by voice vote.

Discussion Items

  • Director’s Report (Jennifer): Total pending cases across all stages stood at 240 as of the first quarter of 2026. The department received 260 inquiries, 112 new complaints (32 more than the previous quarter), and closed 80 investigations (18 of which were duplicates). One case was resolved after an administrative hearing, two cases settled, with a total settlement amount of $700. Discussion addressed how duplicate cases are identified and consolidated.
  • Policy Update (Claire): The policy team completed an internal memo on artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications in employment and housing. The dashboard was updated, showing 25 cases filed in March and a 25-case increase from the previous quarter. A complaint portal is under development in partnership with the Bureau of Technology. The Just Housing Amendment impact assessment will be released next Wednesday. Commissioner Lipinski inquired about the AI memo’s next steps; staff responded that a public-facing draft will be brought to the commission in July, and they are open to collaboration with other jurisdictions.
  • Outreach Report (Bianca): Outreach conducted numerous trainings (including in Spanish) and events, such as the Illinois Reentry Council meeting and the Chicago Urban League housing fair. The human rights newsletter now has 2,539 subscribers. A new TikTok account was created to reach broader audiences. Commissioner Ratner raised concerns about increased law enforcement on CTA targeting unhoused individuals and suggested renewed outreach to housing support organizations. Staff noted they are exploring joining the homelessness task force.
  • FY2025 Annual Report: Presented by Jennifer and Claire. Total cases in FY2025 were 352, a 133% increase from 151 in FY2024 and 94 in FY2023. Total active caseload for the year was 483, with 239 cases closed—a stark increase from prior years. Reported settlements were $14,547 greater than the previous two fiscal years combined. Trainings and community meetings totaled 146. Complaint types: paid leave (32%), employment (25%), housing (20%), together comprising 81% of new complaints. Common bases of discrimination included housing status, retaliation, source of income, race, and ethnicity (housing); retaliation, disability, and race (employment); and various paid leave violations. Policy highlights included the equity landscape review, national origin amendments, and outreach to mental health facilities. The report was approved by voice vote.
  • Proposed CCCHR Rule Amendments: Staff presented amendments to procedural rules for commission-initiated complaints to avoid conflicts of interest. Changes would make hearing officer decisions final and allow appeals directly to circuit court rather than commission reconsideration. Commissioner Ratner asked about the validity of decisions without commission approval; staff explained the process aligns with other agency enforcement. A formatting note about a closed parenthesis was raised and acknowledged. The amendments were approved on a roll call vote: 6 yes, 0 no, 3 absent.
  • Investigation Extension Requests: Staff presented a list of 2024 and 2025 investigation extension requests, noting most are first requests and reflecting improved timeliness. Four investigator positions remain open. The motion to approve all listed extensions was approved by voice vote, with a correction on case number 2025 PA00598.

Key Outcomes

  • Annual Report Approved: The FY2025 annual report was approved by voice vote.
  • Rule Amendments Adopted: The proposed procedural rule amendments passed on a roll call 6-0 (3 absent).
  • Investigation Extensions Granted: All listed extension requests were approved by voice vote after a correction.
  • Closed Session: The commission moved into executive session (not public). Upon return, the closed minutes of January 29, 2026, were approved by voice vote.
  • Request for Reconsideration: A roll call vote unanimously approved the request for reconsideration for case number 2026 PA001010.
  • Commission-Initiated Complaint: A motion to open a commission-initiated complaint was approved unanimously by roll call.
  • Meeting Adjourned: The meeting adjourned at 12:21 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

I call this meeting to order at 11.06 a.m. roll call, please. I'll just get loud. Commissioner Reverend Tolliver. Commissioner Ratner. Commissioner Isaacs. Present. Commissioner Sherma. Present. Chair Sohel. Chair, you have a quorum of five members present and uh three are absent. Wonderful. Four correction for asked. Any statements from the general public. Thank you so much. Chair takes a motion to approve today's agenda. Thank you. May I have a second, please? Sorry. All those in favor, please say aye. All those who oppose, please say nay. Agenda is approved. Chair changed the motion to approve in January 29th, 2026. We'll move. Yeah, second, please. All those in favor, please say aye. All those opposed, please say nay. Regular meeting opening this are approved and let the record reflect that uh commissioner is also in attendance. Any commissioner updates seeing the director's report. So we can share. So I'll note that uh we did go through the through the first uh full quarter of the year. Um the total cases pending across all stages. This is something that we're adding um so that it's clear kind of all the active cases that we're working on at a given time. So the total for the first quarter is 240. I believe the current as we stand now is around that amount as well. And then uh 260 inquiries, fairly consistent with last the last quarter of fiscal year 25 and 112 new cases or new complaints filed in the first quarter. Note that that is uh 32 more than the last um uh quarter of the fiscal year of 2026 or the last quarter of the fiscal year 2025. Uh investigations closed 80. And of those uh that were closed, 18 were duplicate cases. Uh note that sometimes the duplicates are individuals we notice are filing uh the identical or substantially similar complaints. Um sometimes different investigators are working on those, so sometimes there is work that's being done on them before it's identified as a duplicate. Then I'll note that one of the cases were was resolved after administrative hearing, two cases settled, and the known total uh settlement amount is 700. So when you say two uh staff are working on the same case, do they know they are working on the same sometimes? It's not apparent right away. Um so as they're talking about the cases, uh of course working with the deputy director to my right, uh it becomes apparent that these are the same. And what we've seen as well is that it's not always readily apparent uh that it's a duplicate. Sometimes we see complainants who are filing what appears to be a duplicate, but it's maybe like a different respondent or there's some additional claim, and so there is work involved in identifying. So then do I mean to come to a consensus of what the outcome is? Sure. So generally, and I can let my speak to this a bit more, but in working with Tamaya, she will direct them on kind of the steps to take from there in terms of either sometimes it's a consolidation of a complaint if it's the same claims but two different respondents or three different respondents, uh, or uh dismissal of the duplicate if it's just completely duplicate, dismissal of the duplicate one of the duplicate complaints, and then they proceed with the other.

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