Community Relations Commission

Current Commission Members

Sania Irwin, Chair
Mir Ali
Bill Enright
Tauya Forst
Nancy McKee
Michelle Roman-Garcia
Kim Thomas
Sumaiya Syed - Student Commissioner

Trustee Liaison: Kelli Christiansen
Staff Liaison: Grant Paplauskas, Communications Coordinator

Intent & Purpose

Glen Ellyn strives to be a community that welcomes, respects, and engages all people in all aspects of Village life, including employment, commerce, housing, recreation, faith practices, access to resources, and civic engagement. The Community Relations Commission (CRC) promotes these aspirations by actively engaging the community and Village institutions by articulating benchmarks for ongoing efforts in achieving diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion; by educating those who live, work, play, and study in the Village; by reporting on related initiatives; and by serving as a point of contact for community members.

The definition of “all people” is inclusive and covers race; color; sex (including pregnancy and gender identity); sexual orientation; religion or no religion; mental, intellectual, and emotional abilities or disabilities; physical abilities or disabilities; genetic information; health condition; age; economic status and income; profession; education level; national origin, ethnicity, or immigration status; language(s) spoken, written, or read; dress and other customs and choices; appearance; and any other characteristics of diversity.

The Village of Glen Ellyn acknowledges the existence of racism, discrimination, and inequitable treatment in our country and is committed to being a welcoming and inclusive community for all. To realize this goal will require the ongoing commitment of residents, elected officials, and staff. The intent and purpose of the CRC is to make recommendations to the Village Board to create and support policies, programs, events, actions, and communications that guide the community toward this goal.

It shall be the intent and purpose of the Community Relations Commission to:

• Encourage through policy recommendations, programs, events, actions, and communications that Glen Ellyn remain a community that welcomes, respects, and engages all people in all aspects of Village life, including employment, commerce, housing, recreation, faith practices, access to resources, and civic engagement.
• Promote these aspirations by actively engaging the community and Village institutions by articulating benchmarks for ongoing efforts in achieving diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion; by educating those who live, work, play, and study in the Village; by reporting on related initiatives; and by serving as a point of contact for community members.
• Review issues and concerns related to diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion initiated by members of the CRC (e.g., presented to the CRC by individuals, organizations, or groups) or requested by the Board of Trustees. The CRC shall undertake as part of its mission the goal of tackling those issues related to community relations and the fair and equitable treatment and well-­‐being of all who reside, work, interact with, or visit the Village.
•  Perform such other functions and responsibilities as the Board of Trustees may request of it.