December 11, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Human Relations Commission Now At Full Strength
DECATUR - The City of Decatur organization charged with investigating and solving allegations of unlawful -discrimination is now at full strength following the appointment of three new members.
The three new commissioners have spent years in service to the community, specifically in the areas of diversity, labor relations, policy and education and the appointments bring the commission to full strength at 13 members.
The new commissioners are:
- Linda Tyus — St. Mary’s Hospital Diversity and Human Resources Coordinator
- Sarah Sylvester Drake — United Way of Decatur and Macon County AFL-CIO Community Liaison
- Jo Anne “Jody” O’Dell — Retired Decatur Public School District 61 teacher and administrator.
Drake & Tyus are fulfilling commission unexpired terms which will expire on August 1, 2011. O’Dell is beginning a new three year term which will expire on the same date.
Human Relations Specialist Mark Barthelemy says that this commission serves an important role in the community, providing assistance in a number of areas for people who feel as though they’ve been discriminated against.
“The statutory authority for the commission comes from Chapter 28 of the City Code,” Barthelemy said. “The commission is empowered to accept claims of discrimination in the areas of employment, credit, financial lending, real estate (which includes landlord-tenant issues), places of public accommodation, public contracts and as they relate to the City’s affirmative action program.”
Both Mayor Michael Carrigan and the Decatur City Council have for some time now stressed the fact that both the Human Relations Commission and other city commissions play an important role in addressing the needs of the community, encouraging residents to serve. Decatur City Manager Ryan McCrady agreed.
“We want people to know that they can turn to the City’s Human Relations Commission when there is a feeling that they’ve been treated unfairly. Discrimination is not something that should be ignored and we have to do everything we can as a community to try and stop it.
“The Human Relations Commission has the legal authority to help do that.”
Anyone interested in becoming a Commissioner in the future should send a letter of interest and resume to Mayor Michael Carrigan, Mayor’s Office, Decatur Civic Center, Third Floor, 1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Il 62523.
For more information contact Mark Barthelemy at 424-2805 or Billy Tyus at 424-2753.