LCHR News

The Lincoln Commission on Human Rights (LCHR) is seeking nominations for two awards to be presented this spring: the Gerald Henderson Human Rights Award and the Fair Housing Award. For more information, see the Awards page. Nominations are due March 19, 2012.

Commissioners

Sitting, left to right: Wendy Francis (Chair); José Quintero; Mary Reece

Standing, left to right: Hazell Rodriguez; Gene Crump (Vice Chair); Rev. Karla Cooper; Bennie Shobe, Jr.; Susan Oldfield; Takako Olson

Click on photo for larger picture

The nine-member Commission on Human Rights acts as an advisory body to the Mayor, City Council, and Equal Opportunity Officer and shall be charged with the responsibility of eliminating and preventing discrimination in places of public accommodation, housing and employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, familial status, ancestry, age or marital status.

The purposes of the Commission are:

Review actions of the Equal Opportunity Officer whose responsibilities include:
1. reviewing all City of Lincoln procurement bids and awards in excess of $10,000, and
2. reviewing DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprises) program of minority and women-owned businesses and maintain directory;
Institute actions to educate the public as to unlawful discriminatory practices and the enforcement measures available for the prevention and punishment of such practices;
Enforcing provision of Title 11 of the Lincoln Municipal Code;
Seeking to eliminate and prevent discrimination in places of public accommodation, housing, and employment;
Utilize conference, conciliation, and persuasion so that persons may be guaranteed their civil rights and goodwill may be fostered;
Formulate policies and make recommendations to agencies and officers of the city government;
Investigate and make determinations regarding discrimination complaints.

Commission Meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month, 4:00 p.m. at the City Council Chambers, City/County Bldg, 555 South 10th Street. The Public is welcome.

Committee Meeting Schedule & Policy on Public Comment

Commission meetings are generally held the last Thursday of every month in the conference room in the City Council Chambers at the new City County Building at 555 South 10th Street. Meetings convene at 4 p.m. and all meetings are open to the general public.

Meeting dates for the year 2011 are:

January 27
February 24
March 31
April 14
May 26
June 30
July 28
August 25
September 29
October 27
November (no meeting)
December 15*

*Meeting location TBA. All others will be in City Council Chambers, 555 S. 10th Street, 1st Floor.

The Commission is subject to public meeting laws and provides times for public comment on its monthly agenda. Public comment guidelines are as follows:

At the end of each meeting, the public will have 5 minutes to speak on any issue or agenda item, with the exception of "case disposition."
The meeting agenda is available to the general public through the City Clerk's office, which posts announcements in the County-City Building, or requesting a copy from the Human Rights office prior to the monthly Commission meeting, generally held the last Thursday of each month. For more information, call 441-7624.

Interested in Serving LCHR?

The Lincoln Commission on Human Rights has positions to fill on our Board of Commissioners beginning in January 2010. Commissioners are appointed for a 3-year term, meet monthly and make the final determinations on the outcome of discrimination complaints.

If you are interested in serving as a Commissioner and would like more information, contact our office at 441-7624. You may also complete and submit an application here.

Commissioner Meeting Minutes

October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010