Gabrielle Torina, Alderman - Ward 5 | City of Rockford
Gabrielle Torina, Alderman - Ward 5 | City of Rockford
City of Rockford Community Relations Commission met Aug. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. Roll Call
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Eric Brown | City of Rockford | Present | ||
| Jurea Crudup | City of Rockford | Present | ||
| William Martin | City of Rockford | Absent | ||
| Norma Borrero | City of Rockford | Present | ||
| Mary Kaull | City of Rockford | Present | ||
| James McDowell | City of Rockford | Absent | ||
| Scott Garwick | City of Rockford | Present | ||
| Rita Bravo | City of Rockford | Present | ||
| Jordan Lindvall | City of Rockford | Present | ||
| Mary Jude Pakiela | City of Rockford | Present |
1. Journal of Proceedings for the Community Relations Commission held on July 10, 2025
Commissioner Jurea Crudup moved to accept the Journal of Proceedings for the Community Relations Commission held on July 10, 2025, seconded by Commissioner Scott Garwick. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote.
II. PUBLIC SPEAKING
No public speakers.
III. INFORMATION ONLY
A. Integrated Mobile Partners Action Crisis Team (IMPACT) Grant - Health and Human Services
Angie Walker, City of Rockford Health and Human Services Department Homeless Programs Manager, spoke on the IMPACT Grant and how it assists the homeless community in Rockford. She stated that IMPACT was a mental health navigation program. The grant enabled the City to hire mental health navigators who go out into the community and work with people who are severely mentally ill and unsheltered. The program allows the navigators “to work with those in need, to walk beside them, and try to lead them into services that will make it easier for them to get into housing.” Ms. Walker indicated that at 8:30 that evening a team of navigators would be going out to look for people to try to make those connections. She said that in the last program year eighty-six people were served. The program works with the Crisis Co-Response Team and Mobile Integrated Healthcare programs. A secondary part of the IMPACT Program is transitional housing. Some of the individuals they serve are not necessarily housing ready because of the types of illness and behaviors they have. The IMPACT Program currently leases seven units and will have an 8th in the next week to provide housing for these individuals.
The Commissioners asked questions about goals beyond housing individuals and working with pan handlers.
B. Crisis Co-Response Team (CCRT) Program Presentation - Winnebago County Sheriff's Department/ City of Rockford
Mary Trujillo, City of Rockford Mental Health Program Manager, explained her role with the CCRT program. She provides administrative oversight and assistance to the CCRT as well as the Mobile Integrated Healthcare team. She is a liaison between the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board, Region 1 Planning Council, and all the partner agencies that make up the Crisis Co Response Team.
Shelly Turner, Winnebago County Sheriff CCRT Deputy, spoke about the CCRT Program. She stated there are seven Law Enforcement Officers which include one Loves Park Officer, two Winnebago County Sheriff’s Deputies, and four City of Rockford Police Officers, along with two clinicians that make up the CCRT. She stated that during a call for service a patrol officer will respond first and then the CCRT will follow to assess the situation. A function of the CCRT is to follow-up after the initial interaction within 24 to 48 hours and continue to engage anywhere from three to six months or even up to a year as needed. Ms. Turner gave several examples and scenarios of assistance the CCRT has provided.
C. Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Program Presentation - Rockford Fire Department/ City of Rockford
Jonathon Larson, Rockford Fire Department EMS Coordinator, presented on the Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Program. He read the MIH mission statement, “The City of Rockford's Mobile Integrated Health Mental Health Program's mission is to promote mental health, provide access to treatment, prevent substance abuse, and support the autonomy of individuals living with chronic disease, mental illness, and substance use by building positive relationships in the community.” The MIH Program was a first in the State of Illinois pilot program that began back in 2014. Rockford Fire partnered with its then resource hospital, Swedish-American, which is now UW Health. It focused on how to help community members that utilize 911 services and emergency department services more often than others. Twelve patients that fit the program parameters were chosen. In the first year emergency department visits decreased 54% for the patients selected. The MIH team consists of a Rockford Fire Department paramedic paired with either a UW Health nurse or caseworker. Most of the time it is a caseworker because the individual requires resources and not on-scene care. Currently there are three teams of mental health providers throughout the community and one medical. MIH currently has a van that is basically a small operating room in the back but not as intimidating as an ambulance. It contains more than medical needs such as blankets, socks, granola bars, water, things that can help an individual, whether it's the summer or the winter, to aid them back in the community. MIH uses a software program to communicate patients’ needs with community partners with information such as check in reminders due to service calls. MIH partners with Region 1 and the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board to use a program called Kaizen Health, a logistics company that handles rideshare programs, to provide basic transportation to appointments, medication pick up, etc. The MIH program continues to grow and develop.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. Food Insecurity - Commissioner's Discussion
The commissioners discussed agencies to invite and talking points for a panel discussion at the November 13, 2025 meeting. It was recommended to invite the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Rock River Valley Pantry, Food Insecurity Task Force, and Rockford Public Schools. Possible points of discussion could be how Northern Illinois Food Bank and Rock River Valley Pantry work together? How does fresh produce from area farmers get utilized?
V. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner Norma Borrero reminded the commission that Friday, August 15, 2025 is “815 Day.”
Commissioner Jordan Lindvall stated today was the “First Day of School.” Rockford Public Schools District 205 is proud of its schools and wants the students to succeed.
Commissioner Mary Kaull asked for some kind of communication that would notify commissioners of those who have or are rotating off the commission and who the new commissioners will be.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
1. Motion to Adjourn
Chairman Brown asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Crudup moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Kaull.
MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 PM.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Brown, Crudup, Borrero, Kaull, Garwick, Bravo, Lindvall, Pakiela ABSENT: William Martin, James McDowell |
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