January 23, 2026
Date: January 14, 2026
Purpose: Action Ridge Annual Meeting
Location: Park Ridge Community Church
Time: The meeting wascalled to order at 7:10 PM.
Attendees: There were over 40 attendees.
Agenda Items and Discussions
Incorporation Status: Approved by State on 10/14/25; notified the Federal Government in 12/25. Kate Kerin, Kathy Rolsing, Liz Swanson, and Nan Parson, and Committee Leaders had input in creating the application with Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
Roles of Officers:
President (Nan Parson) –
Conceived of Action Ridge with Liz Swanson on bus ride to Women's March in D.C. in 2017. They discussed how to respond to current events and take action. A group met around Liz’s dining room table where they developed a Mission Statement that guides the organization -The Statement reads: We Promote Principles of Democracy, Inclusion, Respect, Equity and the Health of our Planet. Truth Matters! Nan organizes the bi-monthly meetings, keeps Committee Leaders on task. Connects members by areas of interest.
Vice Chair (Liz Swanson) creates communications and disseminates through email, social media and flyers with Membership Chair.
Membership Chair (Kate Kerin) solicits new members.
Disseminates Interest Forms. Members must pay dues; fill out and submit an Interest Form. Not necessarily required to attend meetings and participate on a regular basis; but there’s the hope that they will.
Secretary (position open)
Manages corporate documents and sees that meeting minutes are taken. Committee is formed to alternate minutes-taking. Submits the yearly report to the IRS.
Treasurer (Ian Kahrilas)
Keeps track of dues, keeps financial records, opened new corporate bank account, delivers a treasurer’s report at business meetings. Pays bills and makes purchases.
Bylaws will be reviewed by Committee.
Reports from the Areas of Interest
Affordable Housing. (Kristin Berg and Nan Parson)
Action Ridge is urging the City to satisfy the IL state mandate of 10% affordable housing from Park Ridge's existing 8% so that our children, young families, and employees can live here. We have an Affordable Housing Plan; but nothing has happened to implement the plan. The group has submitted a petition and a City Survey urging compliance. The committee has provided input on the Comprehensive Plan with Community Preservation and consulted with Development Director, Drew Awsumb. There is property for sale at Talcott and Busse by Nelson Funeral Home that may have possibilities for an affordable housing project and also, property on NW Highway called Renaissance Place.
Education D64 (Val Halston and Katy Kelly)
The committee will investigate how DEI is being handled in light of federal mandates to divest. The District is seeking input to the Strategic Plan. Meetings to discuss the plan will be held from 7:00-8:30 on 1/20, 2/5, 2/17, 2/26, and 3/2. Val, Katy, and Nan will attend the 2/5 meeting. They invite others to join them. Supt. Ben Collins has agreed that someone from his staff will address the AR meeting on 3/18. The committee will continue to monitor D64 activities and report to the larger AR group.
Education D207 (Nan, Ramin Moshtael, and Pat Lofthouse)
The committee will be meeting with Communication Director, Brett Clark, and Supt. Bonuma and her staff on 2/6 at 11:45 to discuss DEI issues and how the district manages incidences of discrimination. We are hopeful that staff members will attend our March 18th meeting to answer questions about their DEI Protocols.
Environment & Sustainability (Jeanne Wells)
The leaders will attend GGPR and Green Drinks meetings and report back to AR in the by-monthly AR Update. They will provide input to City Council on composting and other environmental issues. Kathy Clarke of Accelerated Climate Solutions will speak at Harp & Fiddle on 3/4 at 7. The committee also participates in the Earth Day celebration
Gender Justice (Kathryn Statz)
They are seeking businesses which will pledge to support LGBTQ+ rights. They will receive a window decal to indicate their membership in the project. Action Ridge will have a table at the Pride in Park Ridge Festival, which will take place on June 7th. They are also supporting the Free America Walkout on 1/23, during which participants simply stop working and spending and walk outside. This is the precursor to a National Strike.
Gun Violence Prevention (Karen Banks-Lubicz and Nan)
Working on passing the Rifle Act to make manufacturers responsible for damages incurred by their products. Karen attends by-weekly Zoom calls with Safe Illinois to learn about GVP legislation and hear from Gun Violence Prevention Advocates about ways to reduce gun violence at its root causes. Nan plans to attend the 10thAnniversary celebration at the Institute for Non-Violence and urges others to join her.
Policing and Criminal Justice (Alissa Goldwasser)
They are investigating the Flock program that installs cameras to scan license plates for traffic infractions and criminal offenses but can be misused. IL law states that Flock cannot share information for immigration or abortion purposes. Also, the committee is still working on the controversial issue of School Resource Officers. Next meeting 1/29 PRPL 7:00 to discuss Flock cameras.
Voting and Elections (Karen Yee Reid and Chris Parson)
The committee has organized Deputy Registrars to register students at all 4 D207 high schools, Notre Dame, and Elmwood Park High Schools. and Oakton College. They registered 232 students last election. Looking for additional registrars. Just a one hour online course. They also work with Spotlight to distribute Voter Guides.
Ranked Choice Voting (Pat Lofthouse) FairVoteIllinois.org is seeking input to develop stronger outreach regarding adopting Ranked Choice Voting.
Discussion Group (Karen Banks-Lubitz)
Meets bi-monthly to talk about books that align with the AR mission statement.
Communication Team (Jackie McNeilly, Linda Ritts, Erik Olijnyk, Joan Tanaka
Creates flyers, posters, etc, manages our Facebook pages and Instagram and manages the Website
New Action Items:
Exploring idea of asking city council to pass an ordinance forbidding ICE's use of city property.
Next Meeting(s):
1/20 Park Ridge City Hall meeting considering plastic bag ban and composting contract.
1/23 Free America Walkout throughout the day
D64 Strategic Plan Input 7:00-8:30 on 1/20, 2/5, 2/17, 2/26, and 3/5
1/21 Parent University 6:30 pm 8200 W. Greendale
1/29 Policing PRPL regarding Flock cameras 7:00
2/9 Book Club "Lulu's Little Library of Banned Books." Park Ridge
Community Church 7:00
2/12 Go Green Park Ridge 7:00 pm St. Mary's Church
3/18 Action Ridge General Meeting on Education
Meeting adjourned at 9:15
Respectfully submitted by Pat Lofthouse and Nan Parson
Minutes taker: Pat Lofthouse