Gabrielle Torina, Alderman - Ward 5 | City of Rockford
Gabrielle Torina, Alderman - Ward 5 | City of Rockford
City of Rockford Community Relations Commission met May 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Eric Brown called the meeting to order at 5:35pm.
A. Roll Call
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Todd Burton | City of Rockford | Present | ||
| Eric Brown | City of Rockford | Present | ||
| Jurea Crudup | City of Rockford | Present | ||
| William Martin | City of Rockford | Present | ||
| Norma Borrero | City of Rockford | Absent | ||
| Mary Kaull | City of Rockford | Present | ||
| James McDowell | City of Rockford | Present | ||
| Joan Velazquez | City of Rockford | Absent | ||
| Scott Garwick | City of Rockford | Absent |
1. Journal of Proceedings for the Community Relations Commission held on March 13, 2025
Commissioner James McDowell moved to accept the Journal of Proceedings for the Community Relations Commission meeting held on March 13, 2025, seconded by Commissioner William Martin. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote (Commissioners Borrero, Garwick, and Velazquez were absent).
II. PUBLIC SPEAKING
No Public Speakers
III. SPECIAL OPEN FORUM
Chairman Brown announced that there are 3 speakers who had previously signed up to speak at the meeting as well as 3 letters from individuals who were unable to attend. He explained that each speaker will be allotted 3 minutes to speak which will then be followed by 2 minutes of questions from the commissioners.
A. Speakers
1. Violet Johnicker, Pastor of Brook Road United Methodist Church
Pastor Johnicker spoke about the needs of the Swahili-speaking community in Rockford. She stated that there are seven Swahili-speaking churches in Rockford and that Swahili is now the third most commonly spoken language in the Rockford Public Schools. Many of the families are facing real challenges regarding housing, transportation, and most importantly access to jobs and to English language learning opportunities. Pastor Kaskile Kimengele, who serves at Victory Church, has received some small grant funds to work as a liaison between the City and the Swahili speaking community.
Commissioner McDowell asked what do you see as the future influx of this community?
Ms. Johnicker stated that she did not have that data as a lot of folks came through Catholic Charities.
Commissioner Mary Kaull asked if there was anything Ms. Johnicker was requesting and what the commission can do to further deepen awareness?
Ms. Johnicker replied they have been working with the Rockford Regional Health Council in translating materials into Swahili and would like to see the City support translation services and signage in Swahili. The community would like to start to see more resources provided in English, Spanish, and Swahili.
2. Paula Olson, Co-chair of Sustain Rockford’s Reduce Waste Task Force
Ms. Olson spoke on Sustain Rockford's mission which is to protect our community's land, air, and water to benefit all. The Winnebago County landfill is projected to reach capacity in 10 to 12 years. Currently unlike households, businesses must pay money to recycle, which discourages participation and destroys materials that could be easily recycled. We can extend the life of the landfill and protect public resources by reducing waste at the source, encouraging reuse, repair, and recycling through community programs like Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful, by offering businesses incentives to recycle, finding ways to reduce or even eliminate their costs, and by launching a food waste composting program. Approximately 30% of the landfill content is organic, meaning food waste and other compostable materials.
Commissioner McDowell asked what did Ms. Olson see as future programs or barriers to encourage greater recycling as opposed to landfill?
Ms. Olson replied Sustain Rockford wanted to see the city compost food scraps and waste with the lawn collection, or to partner with somebody who does. They also wanted to see businesses not have to pay to recycle. Due to cutting costs businesses’ aluminum, glass, and cardboard go right in the trash.
Commissioner Kaull asked city staff if there was any leverage with Rock River Disposal to start a composting program?
3. Aaron Honie Lopez
Mr. Lopez spoke regarding his non-profit, Papa’s House, that is working to provide shelter for at risk youth and foster kids after they have reached 21 years of age. He is working with other small organizations to create a communications hub. He utilizes former participants from Comprehensive Community Solutions’ YouthBuild Rockford to rehab properties. He follows the philosophy of One House, One Block, One Community to get youth involved in rebuilding their communities. He is currently involving foster youth in a mowing program to help keep vacant properties clear and to assist others who are unable to keep their properties mowed. He intends to expand to a veteran’s reentry program.
Commissioner Burton recommended Mr. Lopez apply for a 2026
REGROW Grant.
Mr. Lopez asked about information regarding acquiring abandoned houses?
Assistant City Attorney John Wuich offered to speak with him about those opportunities.
B. Letters from the Community
1. Brandon Ennis’ email regarding fixing roads in Rockford was read into the record by Chairman Brown and discussed by the commission.
2. Carl Kole’s email regarding personal use vehicles and e-bikes was read into the record by Chairman Brown and discussed by the commission.
3. JP Rud’s email and its attached letter regarding the unnecessary loss of American lives was read into the record by Commissioner McDowell and discussed by the commission.
IV. DISCUSSION
A. Schedule Public Housing Update Reports
The commissioners discussed inviting the Rockford Housing Authority and the Winnebago County Housing Authority to give an updated report on public housing. A date to schedule the reports was discussed at length. Commissioner Burton recommended to defer to Chairman Brown and city staff to work out the scheduling details. Commissioner Mary Kaul asked to have the housing authorities provide a cheat sheet in layman’s terms delineating the statutory differences of the housing authorities and how they overlap.
B. Schedule Mental Health Program Discussion
Commissioners discussed inviting mental health agencies and non-profit organizations to speak about programs and opportunities available to the community. Ms. Harris recommended inviting Region 1 Planning Council/Winnebago County Community Health Board as they have over 40 programs that are funded by the mental health tax that are both non-profit and for profit organizations.
Alderwoman Aprel Prunty asked the commission to consider communities outside the ones that traditionally receive funding to seek diversity.
C. Commissioners Response to Communications from the Community
Commissioner McDowell referenced a property owner in the 3rd Ward who has purchased blighted buildings and demolished them out of pocket and the property owners concern of additional costs imposed by the city.
V. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner Burton noted that the Rockford Area Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 7th starting at noon. Followed by a street festival.
Commissioner Kaull reflected on the swearing in of the alderman and the mayor on the past Monday. She said it was inspirational that it reminded her of why public service is a calling. She thanked Aldermen Prunty and Tamir Bell, who were present at the commission meeting, for their service.
Alderman Bell thanked the commission and stated that hearing the conversations at the meeting proves that Rockford is going to be a better place.
Alderwoman Prunty thanked the commission for the time it puts in and the volunteering by the commissioners. She stated she looks forward to the conversations that have been started and she will be sharing information in the upcoming forums.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
1. Motion to Adjourn
Chairman Brown asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner
Martin moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Kaull.
MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote (Commissioners Borrero, Garwick, and Velazquez were absent).
The meeting was adjourned at 6:33p.m.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Burton, Brown, Crudup, Martin, Kaull, McDowell ABSENT: Norma Borrero, Joan Velazquez, Scott Garwick |
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