DeKalb's Human Relations Commission to meet Tuesday for race relations policy reform vote

DeKALB - The city's Human Relations Commission meeting to review suggested policy reform as presented by the local Black Lives Matter chapter will meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

According to city documents, the meeting will not be televised, but residents will be required to wear face masks if they attend in person, in the training room on the second floor of the DeKalb Police Department, 700 W. Lincoln Highway.

The decision to not televise the meeting and instead hold it in-person was made due to the region entering Phase 4 of Gov. JB Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan, documents show.

"Community attendees will have seating set-up for social distancing and be required to wear face masks. The Commission will not be using any remote technologies to link to the meeting," the agenda reads.

If you're unable to make the meeting in person but would like to leave public comment to be entered into the record during the meeting, residents are instructed to email Management Analyst Jason Blumenthal at jason.blumenthal@cityofdekalb.com by 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The commission last met in June and invited residents to voice concerns regarding race relations in the community, including policies within the DeKalb Police Department, city offices, community services and more.

The local Black Lives Matter chapter held a town hall at Hopkins Park in June and brought forward a list of demands for city and countywide officials, most involving use of force in police departments, DeKalb County courts, rental-tenant relations and education.

Subsequent meetings hosted by city and countywide officials have been held in an effort to gather further ideas for policy reform from community members.

The commission is expected to vote on a list of policy reform ideas Tuesday, which will then be a topic of discussion and up for possible vote at the next DeKalb city council meeting July 13.