North Cook News

Village of Arlington Heights Senior Citizens Commission met Jan. 27

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

I. CALL TO ORDER

Chairperson Viecelli called the meeting to order at 7 PM. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

II. ROLL CALL

Present: Also Present: Not Present:

Sue Viecelli, Chair Tracey Colagrossi, Liaison Sharon Adams

Tim Carter Keith Moens Gary Wood

Corinne Drew

Fred Feldman

George Motto

Steve Raminiak

Fred Vogt

Ellyn Zimmerman

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

December 16, 2024

The December 16, 2024, Meeting Minutes were printed incomplete for the meeting.

CHAIRPERSON VIECELLI MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE MEETING MINUTES FOR THE NEXT MEETING. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER VOGT AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MOTTO. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 16, 2024, WERE TABLED UNTIL THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2025.

IV. REPORTS

A. Chairpersons Report

Chairperson Viecelli reported she had joined the Walker’s Club sponsored by Endeavor Health. She said was walking at a faster pace then the men.

B. Liaison Report

Liaison Colagrossi reported the Senior Center is a warming center during regular operational hours. Staff is working on March and April newsletter items; all items are due to the editor by next week Wednesday. The Department of Health & Human Services is accepting applications to fill the position, which still has a geriatric focus. The Grief Support Group began another 8-week session with 10 people in the group. Our Registered Nurse, Lindsay Dohse and Social Services Specialist, Darren Brown are co-facilitating the group.

Catholic Charities Northwest Social Services won the Winter Door Decor Contest this year with the most votes. They won a pizza party. And Patron Linda Fruhauf won the free annual subscription for the newsletter. The agencies are competing in a Winter Door Decorating contest this year.

Another service that has been added to the center is Podiatry. We have collaborated with Endeavor Health and Podiatrist Natalie Domek for monthly podiatry clinics. Patients select from a schedule for every 15 minutes, fill out a form for their appointment and Medicare is billed.

We are continuing to explore a potential partnership with Gerry’s Cafe for a satellite site. We are holding pop-up cafe’s at different times and dates, as well as different menu items. For example, they delivered dinner box meals tonight for folks attending the Carpenters concert.

C. Non-for-Profit Corporation

The Arlington Heights Senior Center, Inc. Foundation met in early December to approve funding requests from Connections to Care for marketing the organization and subsidizing rides for low-income older adults. Additionally, they funded requests from the Village for programs like Great Decisions and Metropolis and entertainment and food for Advisory Council programs.

Staff is working on the Road Show concept to host events in different areas of the village each quarter. Tracey is currently getting quotes for bowling alleys for the first quarter, the second quarter will feature Lake Arlington, the third quarter will be the Historical Museum, and the fourth quarter is the Moorings. All of this is in effort to meet people where they are at to promote the programs and services of the Arlington Heights Senior Center.

D. Senior Center Advisory Council

The Advisory Council is hosting their 2025 programs. The first one is the Hersey High School event Love Bus, where students visit ten other locations within the village and perform cheer and pom pom routines, choir, and visit with patrons. The following event is the Cultural Celebration featuring Japan and Spain.

E. Legislation

Commissioner Feldman reported on the 104th General Assembly has reconvened and currently in recess. Early in the session they have introduced over a thousand bills. At this moment, Commissioner Feldman is trying to keep track of those that may affect older adults. One that will definitely be of interest is House Bill 1226, It's a driver's license bill that it provides that driver, if it's an active driver's 79 to 87 years of age, will not have to take a driver's test to remove their license. They simply have to appear in person. for drivers older than 87 and drivers 75 years of age and older who have commercial drivers' licenses, they will be retested every year. Also, the bill provides for or the ability of an immediate family member to submit evidence to the Secretary of State as to the fitness of any driver's license candidate so that if the family feels that a driver should not have a license issue to him, notwithstanding that he can pass the test. There will be rules and regulations established for rejecting such applicants. This bill has not been assigned yet either. It's been introduced and it's sitting in rules in the rules committee with all the other bills that haven't been there tonight. We'll keep an eye on this, because this will be interesting. And it will be effective if it passes. It will be effective July 1st, 2026.

F. Age-Friendly Community Certification

1.Transportation/Affordable Housing Report

Commissioner Feldman reiterated the drivers license bill HB 1226.

Commissioner Raminiak and Commissioner Motto spoke about the upcoming Senior Citizens Commission listening session as part of the Age-Friendly Arlington Heights initiative, and the topic of housing subsidies will be discussed with attendees. The session is scheduled at the Senior Center on Wednesday, January 29, at 5 PM.

Commissioner Raminiak and Commissioner Vogt spoke about the Village Board approving the Grace Terrace project. Commissioner motto added that Mayor Hayes, had a great summary at the end where he talked specifically to the neighborhood folks and said for as long as this is taken in as much as this has changed since the first proposal, the process works. Chairperson Viecelli inquired how long the project may take to complete and the response was potentially two years.

Housing Commission Liaison Nora Boyer will join the Senior Citizens Commission meeting Monday, February 24 at 7 pm to answer any questions regarding the housing commission and their duties.

2. Communications

Chairperson Viecelli reviewed the activities of the Communications Subcommittee meeting held previous to the regular meeting. The subcommittee reviewed the statistics from the initial month that the Senior Center has been on Facebook. For the first month, they have achieved 221 followers and had a reach of 3.6K, without paid advertisements. Liaison Colagrossi will continue reporting the data monthly for progress reports.

Liaison Colagrossi also submitted a 2025 Age-Friendly Marketing Plan for the subcommittee to review. The final edits will be reviewed next month and approved at the February Commission meeting.

G. Kenneth Hood Award

Commissioner Vogt reported that the awards committee will meet sometime in February to begin the awards cycle. Liaison Colagrossi will send out a couple of dates to the members interested in participating.

V. OLD BUSINESS

No old business was discussed.

VI. NEW BUSINESS

No new business was discussed.

VII. OTHER BUSINESS

Chairperson Viecelli remarked that the next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 24, 7 pm.

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT

Resident Keith Moens addressed the Commission about street safety for pedestrians and cars. The Commissioners advised that the Village has a Bicycle and Pedestrian Commitee where those concerns are addressed. Liaison Colagrossi advised that she send the committee’s report for Mr. Moen’s review and the Liaison's contact.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

CHAIRPERSON VIECELLI REQUESTED A MOTION TO ADJORN.

COMMISSIONER ZIMMERMAN MADE A MOTION AND WAS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMINIAK. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:45 PM.

https://arlingtonheightsil.portal.civicclerk.com/event/501/files/attachment/1196