North Cook News

Village of Wheeling Senior Commission met March 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

1- Call to Order: Chairman Kaplan called the meeting to order at 10:01am.

2- Roll Call: Chairman Kaplan, Commissioner Vollriede, Commissioner Marabella, Commissioner Portnoy, Commissioner Butler, and Commissioner Kohen all present. Staff Liaison Huizar, Miriam Mayorga, social worker, and Officer Scott Laverd attended as well.

3- Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Marabella motioned acceptance, Commissioner Butler Seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously accepted.

4- Citizens’ Comments and Concerns: Citizen Darleen Kaplan discussed her suggestion of having the Lunch at the Center program open the doors at 10:30am to allow for socialization. Ms. Kaplan discussed that previously, when the lunch took place at the St. Joseph Social Hall there were more people and that the people would come early just to talk with each other. Ms. Kaplan related the need to get new people involved as we have lost many participants due to either COVID or aging out.

Municipal Code 2.03.060 Subjects of Orders of Business

Citizen Concerns and Comments. Members of the public may address the committee with comments regarding only those items that are relevant to village business. Issues relevant to Village business are defined to mean information about Village events; issues that the public body has the authority to address; items listed on the agenda; and items or issues previously voted on by the Village Board or that the Village Board has the authority to consider or vote on in the future. No citizen shall speak for more than five minutes without consent of the committee. The village president shall strictly restrain comments and questions to matters that are relevant to village business and shall not permit repetitious comments or arguments. Members of the general public who wish to address the board must sign the request to speak form prior to the commencement of the public meeting.

5- Chairman’s Report: Chairperson Kaplan asked about the grant information that was sent to commissioners and whether there was anything they needed to do with it. Liaison Huizar explained that it was just for their information.

6- Senior Services Report

i. Congregate Dining: Liaison Huizar announced that the Lunch at the

Center program was going back in person as of March 8, 2022. She also explained that the entertainment and events would be returning in April of 2022. Liaison Huizar related that the same health and COVID protocols are needed, as there is still COVID out there. Ms. Huizar discussed the possibility of having the lunchroom open at 10:30am for socialization. She reminded the commissioners that the lunch program, while open for a few months in the summer, but never fully opened.

Staff will continue to experiment with different options to increase inclusivity and participation.

ii. Senior Invalid Assists-Home visitation: Ms. Mayorga presented the new version of the Senior Invalid Assists/Home Visitation program. Ms. Huizar explained the policy of the Fire Department regarding invalid assists without a transport to the hospital. All of these situations are referred to the Social Services Division of the Human Services Department for follow up. Ms. Mayorga has been initiating home visits to these referrals with the goal of providing resources to prevent further falls and to help keep these ailing Wheeling residents safe. Ms. Mayorga showed the commissioners the thank you gifts given to the residents that allow the home visits as well as her process.

7- Recreation/Program Services Report: No Report

8- Old Business:

i. Dementia Friendly Wheeling: Postponed to next meeting

9- New Business

i. Plans for 2022:

Commissioner Marabella asked if youth could get involved in doing community work for older adults, such as light yardwork. Ms. Kaplan suggested asking local high schools who have a program and are already involved, to find out what they do. She mentioned the SOS program (Deerfield has such a program, called Student Outreach Services). Ms. Mayorga asked for volunteers to work on this task and call local schools to find out, and Commissioner Marabella said she would do so.

Commissioner Marabella also suggested the congregate dining program have some lunch programs take place outside, when there was an entertainer and weather was better, to help inform residents of lunch program and recruit new members.

10-Announcements – Next meeting will be Thursday, April 7, 2022

11-Adjournment: Commissioner Kohen motioned for adjournment and seconded by Commissioner Butler. All agreed

http://wheelingil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03032022-2327