Action Ridge General Meeting January 8, 2025 Meeting Minutes

Action Ridge Meeting Minutes

January 8, 2025

Meeting started at 7:05 PM

2025 Slate of Officers

Liz Swanson, Action Ridge Vice Chairman, gave a briefintroduction of Action Ridge’s history and By Laws and the requirement forvoting on an annual slate of leaders. Kate Kerin, Membership Chair, presentedthe 2025 slate of candidates (see below). Chris Parson made a motion to accept the slate of candidates aspresented and close the nominations. Kristin Berg seconded the motion. Themotion was passed unanimously.

Succession Planning

Leadership has met multiple times to plan for the successionof current roles, focusing on improving efficiency and responsiveness to theneeds of the community and beyond. As part of these efforts, recent adjustmentshave been made, including transitioning the AR email updates from weekly tobi-monthly and shifting leadership meetings from a monthly to (approximately) anevery-other-month schedule. These changes aim to streamline processes whilemaintaining the effectiveness of ongoing initiatives.

Expense Report and Review becoming 501c3 or 501c4

The group discussed the possibility of formalizing itsstructure by becoming a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organization. This change wouldprovide the ability to fundraise and potentially establish membership dues,enabling greater financial stability. These funds could support guest speakers,events, and other expenses necessary to advance the group’s mission andinitiatives.  Kathy Rolsing, Sharon andKate Kerin volunteered research options and will report back at a futuremeeting.

Updates from Areas of Interest:

Affordable Housing:

Kristin Berg gave the following report:

The Committee’s focus in 2024 was to have input on thestate-required PR Housing Plan approved by City Council in April.  A secondary focus was the Comprehensive Plan,specifically the Uptown Master Plan, currently in the approval process.  We took action by meeting with cityofficials, writing letters, and making public comments to City Council andPZC.  We also commented on residentialdevelopment projects at PZC meetings, advocating for projects to include AHunits, esp PUDs that must include a public benefit (making 20% of the units AHper current zoning if variances are requested).

Our HousingPlan priorities:

• Inclusionary     Zoning - mandatory
• Affordable     Senior Housing
• A     Housing Trust Fund that could grant/loan money to residents for home     improvements
• After     approval in April by CC, we started pushing for implementation.  The possibility of creating a Housing     Task Force was brought up with the Mayor.      Little action has been taken since then.  Creating an accounting code and     discussion of what constitutes a public benefit are 2 small things.

ComprehensivePlan:

• 2024     work was on Uptown Master Plan. Advocated for strong language promoting AH     and new Housing Plan in the UM Plan and specifying sites where AH could be     built (i.e., Summit/Euclid and other city owned parking lots).

ResidentialDevelopment/PUDs

• With     repeated efforts over the last several years, pushed PZ Commissioners to     start asking for AH as a public benefit in exchange for zoning     concessions.
• The     first development to include rent/income restricted was approved by     Council on 6/17! Senior Housing at 819 Busse Highway.  It will have 3 AH units.  A first for PR (In the course of talking     about this project, it was learned that the owner of the property had     withdrawn his proposal, and the property is now on the market; so it looks     like there may be no affordable units, after all.)

Legislative:

• Housing     Action Illinois is working on further strengthening the AHPAA to monitor     and push for results, not just filing a Plan.  They created an AH Advocacy Toolkit and     mentioned AR as an example of community organizing in support of AH.
• Committee     discussed learning more about zoning reforms at state and national level     that will make it easier to develop AH.
• Raising     Action Alerts as relevant

Events:

• 2/1     Chamber of Commerce Networking, Mayor’s State of Park Ridge; shout-out to     KAB & Nan
• February  Firsthand Homeless Series on WTTW
• February  National Public Housing Museum; several     from the group went to the temporary exhibit prior to moving into their     new building at 919 S. Ada Street, opening in 2025
• 4/11   Active Adult Expo at Senior     Center;  we had an AR Table with AH     literature
• April  Shame of Chicago series on WTTW; AR     members met twice to watch/discuss
• 12/12  Attended the Justice Project event in HP

LookingForward:

• Learning     about the Alderperson Candidates and possibly contacting them about their     views on AH and the Housing Plan
• Participating     in the AR Candidate Forum
• Working     on a petition stressing the urgency of the need for AH and implementation     of the Housing Plan to be circulated in the community and presented to the     new City Council
• Continuing     advocacy efforts in the UM Plan and upcoming Housing Chapter of the     Comprehensive Plan
• Digging     more into legislative fixes

Criminal Justice and Policing

Alissa Goldwasser gave the following report:

2024 was a quieter year in regard to youth issues in ParkRidge. We have a new Police Chief and he has been busy in his new role. There hasnot been as much interaction with him as there was with our former policechief.

The Township continues to offer Peer Jury as an alternativeto police intervention.  Action Ridge isstill encouraging the use of Restorative Practices.  In the future the work with the Townshipcould be renewed.

She would appreciate additional support for this team to attendCity Council meetings and track monthly police incident reports. Please reachout to Alissa if you would like more information.

Education

Valerie Halston gave the following report:

On November 5, the District 64 2024 Bond Referendum passedoverwhelmingly, with 64% of voters approving the $89.1 million referendum.  The district will begin using the money tomake improvements immediately.  The nextstep for Action Ridge is to connect with Superintendent Ben Collins aboutmaking a DEI plan for the district.  

Environment/ Sustainability

Jeanne Wells gave the following report:

Jeanne and Tim Milburn monitor and share information in theAction Ridge emails relevant to sustainability and the environment. Go Green,Green Drinks and SWANCC are all good sources of information.

Action Ridge will have a booth again this year at the ParkDist. Earth Day celebration.  There are alsoanother Solar Tour and Sustainable Yard events planned for 2025.

Gender Justice

Kathrn Statz has graciously agreed to take the lead, andLeah Zalinski is part of the team.  Sheis looking for additional volunteers for this team.

The Action Ridge Gender Justice area of interest is taskedwith focus upon the following areas:

Educate and inform our community about topics related to therights of all genders of people.  

Ensure we use our voices to name and eradicate sex andgender-based discrimination, harassment, and exploitation in our community andwhere applicable, on a larger scale.  

Communicate policies, incentives and programs that may haveapplications to support gender justice in Park Ridge.  

Collaborate with others to ensure a standing voice on genderrights with Park Ridge elected officials, staff and commissions.

Gun Violence Prevention

Karina’s Law was passed on 1/7/2025. This legislation requiresguns to be removed from the home of an accused abuser when their FOID card hasbeen revoked after their victim is granted an order of protection in a domesticviolence case.  It is awaiting Gov.Pritzker’s signature.

Action Ridge is participating in the Institute forNon-Violence Chicago Martin Luther King Jr. day event; Embrace on Jan. 11, 2025from 10:00am - 1:00pm.  The time togetherwill include speakers, lunch and participants will be invited to participate ina collaborative art installation facilitated by a local artist.  The paintings will highlight themes ofconnection, equity, and healing. If you're interested in carpooling from ParkRidge contact kbankslubicz@gmail.com or (847) 924- 0457

Voting and Elections

The Voting and Elections Team is planning to hold Candidateforums for the local elections on April 1^st.  A planning meeting is scheduled for TuesdayJan 14th at 7PM.  More information,including dates will be distributed in upcoming emails. Volunteers are neededfor this effort. Please contact Chris Parson (parsonchris@hotmail.com) or KarenReid (kayreid@comcast.net).

Book Discussion

The group will meet on 1/20 in the basement parlor of thePark Ridge Community Church at 7:00 pm to discuss "I'm Sorry for MyLoss:  An Urgent Examination ofReproductive care in America", by Rebecca Little (Park Ridge resident) andColleen Long Copies are available on the 2nd floor of the library at ReaderServices desk.   For more informationcontact Karen Banks-Lubicz at 847 924-0457 or kbankslubicz@gmail.com

Conversation

Attendees who are new to Action Ridge shared that they cameto learn about Action Ridge but also to be with like-minded people who sharetheir values.  Two newcomers expressed aninterest in helping with the Policing and Criminal Justice area and with theGender Justice team.  Nan expressedappreciation for the interest and enthusiasm of these individuals!

Upcoming Meetings:

February 13^th--Ed Spire, from NorthwestSuburban Organization for Action/ Indivisible—The topic will be--What policiescan we expect from the new administration and what will be the effects of thosepolicies?

March 6^th and 11^th—Candidateforums--City and School Board candidates

April 9^th Speakers: Sean O’Leary and CindyGrau,  The topic will be--How Can WeAdapt to Climate Change?

25 LEADERSHIP TEAM

LEADERS

Name Email Position

Nan Parson nanparson@hotmail.com Chair

Liz Swanson liz@parkridgecommunitychurch.org Vice Chair

Kate Kerin Kerin1@me.com Membership

Jane Curry Janecurry@curryyoung.com Membership

Marilyn Novak Marelee1603@comcast.net Membership

MINUTES TAKING TEAM

Karen Banks-Lubicz

Judy Fregetto

Alissa Goldwasser

Kate Kerin

Kathy Rolsing

COMMUNICATION TEAM

Name Email Position

Nan Parson nanparson@hotmail.com Coordinator

Liz Swanson liz@parkridgecommunitychurch.org Internal Communication

Jackie McNeilly jackiemcneilly@gmail.com External Communication: Website Manager, Instagram, PRCCNewsletter, and flyers

Joan Tanaka tanaka.joan@gmail.com External Communication: Website Manager, Instagram, PRCCNewsletter, and flyers

Linda Ritts Rittse1a@comcast.net Facebook Manager

Jane Curry Janecurry@curryyoung.com External Communication: Press Releases

AREAS OF INTEREST

Name Email Areas

Kristin Berg mskristin.berg@gmail.com Affordable Housing

Nan Parson nanparson@hotmail.com Affordable Housing

Valerie Halston valhalston@gmail.com Education

Tim Milburn logintim@gmail.com Environment/ Sustainability

Jeanne Wells jeannebwells@yahoo.com Environment/Sustainability

Karen Banks-Lubicz kbankslubicz@gmail.com Gun Violence Prevention

Alissa Goldwasser alissasays@gmail.com Policing/Criminal Justice

Chris Parson parsonchris@hotmail.com Voting/Elections

Pat Lofthouse loftypat@aol.com Ranked Choice Voting

Karen Yee Reid kayreid@comcast.net Voting/Elections

Karen Banks-Lubicz kbankslubicz@gmail.com Discussion Group

Kathryn Statz kathryn@titleixsolutions.com Gender Justice

Leah Zalinski Leah.zalinski@gmail.com Gender Justice

Meeting adjourned 8:51 PM

Respectfully submitted, Kate Kerin and Nan Parson

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