Community Relations Commission

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View City Council Agendas and Minutes (Meetings as of 1/12/2026)

View Archived City Council Agendas and Minutes (All meetings prior to 1/12/2026)

Meetings

  • 5:30 pm
  • 2nd Thursday of every month
  • City Hall
    2nd Floor, City Council Chambers
    425 East State Street
    Rockford, IL 61104

Members

  • Norma Borrero
  • Eric Brown - Chair
  • Rita Bravo
  • Jurea Crudup
  • Mary Kaull
  • Scott Garwick
  • William Martin
  • James McDowell
  • Jordan Lindvall
  • Mary Jude Pakiela

Overview

The Community Relations Commission helps the City better achieve its goals of involving the community, improving communication, and fostering positive relations.

Functions

The Commission acts as an advisory board to the mayor and council. Functions of the commission include:

  • Providing opportunities for our City departments to communicate the work they do, so that commissioners can be ambassadors for the City
  • Giving commissioners the opportunity to provide feedback to the council, Mayor, and staff on issues impacting the community
  • Providing a forum for thoughtful debate on issues impacting the community, including civil rights, diversity, and fair housing
  • Reviewing and recommending the adoption of ordinances
  • Helping hold the City and our contractors accountable by periodically receiving reports from staff regarding compliance with our Equal Employment Opportunity and diversity hiring policies
  • Assisting staff with informal mediation and conciliation to resolve claims of discrimination
  • Recommending educational programs, training, and best practices to counsel and the community in furtherance of the goal of community engagement, diversity, and equity
  • Holding training on engaging minority and women-owned businesses
  • Helping navigate difficult issues by fostering input and discussion

Public Participation

City of Rockford Community Relations Commission regulations allow for a maximum of five members of the public to speak for up to five (5) minutes each at each commission meeting. A written request to address the Commission must be submitted to the City of Rockford Legal Department as indicated on the Community Relations Commission Public Participation form, no later than 3 pm on the day of the commission meeting in which you’d like to speak, and no earlier than one week prior to the meeting.

View and download the Community Relations Commission Public Participation Form (PDF) here.

Special Open Forum Participation

From time to time, the Community Relations Commission holds Special Open Forum Meetings to gain greater input from members of the public to assist in setting the commission’s agenda for the year. The meetings are scheduled for specific dates and are announced to the public. The Special Open Forum Meetings allow for a maximum of ten (10) members of the public to speak for three (3) minutes followed by two (2) minutes of questions from the commissioners, for a total of five (5) minutes. A written request to address the Commission at the Special Open Forum Meeting must be submitted to the City of Rockford Legal Department as indicated on the Community Relations Commission Special Open Forum Participation Form, no later than 12 pm (Noon) the day before the Special Open Forum Meeting in which you’d like to speak.

View and download the Community Relations Commission Special Open Forum Participation Form (PDF) here. 

Contact the Community Relations Commission

The Community Relations Commission would love to hear from you! Please email us at CRC@Rockfordil.gov with your concerns, information, or questions.