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HomeMy WebLinkAboutORDINANCES-1968-070-O-68059 • • 70-0-68 AN ORDINANCE To add Sections 2-188 through 2-193, Inclusive, to the Code of the City of Evanston, 1957, to Establish the Evanston Human Relations Commission and to Repeal Ordinance 14-0-61. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS: SECTION 1: That the Code of the City of Evanston, 1957, as amended, be further amended by adding thereto Sections 2-188 through 2-193 to read as follows: "Sec. 2-188. Creation of Commission. There is hereby created the Evanston Human Relations Commission composed of fifteen members, including a chairman. "Sec. 2-189. Appointment and Term of Office. The chairman and members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor by and with the consent of City Council. Five members shall be appointed to serve for three years; five members shall be appointed to serve for two years; and five members shall be appointed to serve for one year. Successors to such members shall be appointed for three years, except in the case of a vacancy due to the death, removal or resignation of any member, which vacancy shall be • 06U • filled by appointment by the Mayor by and with the consent of the City Council, for the unexpired term. Any member may be removed by the Mayor for failure to attend meetings or inattention to duties. It shall be the duty of the Human Services Committee of the City Council to submit to the Mayor, at least 60 days prior to the expiration of terms, a list of ten qualified persons for his consideration. "Sec. 2-190. Qualifications of Members. Each member of the Commission shall be a resident of the City of Evanston; should indicate a sincere desire to implement the Policy of the Commission stated in Section 2-191 of this ordinance; and prior • to his appointment shall have demonstrated a competence in, and commitment to, the improvement of human rela- tions. "Sec. 2-191. Statement of Policy. The purpose of the Commission shall be to foster, encourage, and stimulate the improvement of human relations among and between citizens of all races, colors, creeds, national origins, and economic and educational levels so as to provide all individuals with an equal opportunity to grow, participate and share to the best of their ability in our economic, educational, political, social and judicial systems. - 2- 061 • "Sec. 2-192. Duties and Functions. The primary function of the Commission shall be to improve human relations in the City of Evanston. Its duties shall include but shall not be limited to: (a) Advising the City Council, through the Human Services Committee, on human rela- tions matters; (b) Serving as an educational arm of the City in the field of human relations to all persons, areas, groups and institutions in the community; (c) Acting as a bridge between City government and citizen groups, and between citizen groups; • (d) Performing as a catalyst in improving human relations and equitable living conditions; (e) Carrying on research and studies in the field of human relations in an effort to equalize opportunities and lessen prejudice and dis- crimination based on race, color, religion or national origin; and (f) Assisting and encouraging citizens in the pursuit of their rights under the laws of the City of Evanston, the State of Illinois, and the United States of America. -3- • 062 • The Commission shall meet regularly and adopt its own rules of procedure, and all meetings shall be held in accordance with said rules. The Commission shall select and/or supervise such staff as may be authorized to serve it by the City Council. The Commission shall submit to the City Council an annual report and such special reports as it may from time to time deem advisable. The Commission shall perform such further duties as may be assigned to it by the Mayor and City Council. "Sec. 2-193. Investigations and Hearings. For the purpose of carrying out the functions hereinabove provided, the Commission may conduct investigations and public hearings. When author- ized by the City Council the Commission may require • by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence relating to any matter under investigation and hearing. The chairman may sign a subpoena which may be served by any commissioner, any police officer of the City of Evanston, or by any person lawfully authorized to serve a subpoena under the laws of the State of Illinois. The attendance of witnesses or the produc- tion of documentary evidence may be required at any designated place of the hearing within the city and before the Commission as a whole, or before a duly MC • . constituted subcommittee of the Commission. Witnesses summoned before the Commission, or a subcommittee of the Commission, shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the Circuit Courts of the • state. In case of disobedience to the subpoena, the Commission may petition the Circuit Court of Cook County for an order requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses, or the production of docu- mentary evidence, or both. The chairman of the Com- mission or the chairman of a subcommittee of the Commission conducting a public hearing is hereby authorized to administer an oath and provide for the transcription of all testimony taken." SECTION 2: Ordinance 14-0-61 of the City of Evanston, be and is hereby repealed. SECTION 3: This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval and publication in the manner provided by law. INTRODUCED July 8 , 1968 ADOPTED July 15 , 1968 APPROVED ATTEST: /s/ /s/ Maurice F. Brown City Clerk Approved as to form: /s/ Jack M. Siegel Corporation Counsel -5- July 15 , 1968 John D. Emery Mayor Pubf ished: July 25, 1968 Code Page: 70 E •