Mayor Spencer to Refill Civil Rights Commission
As reported earlier in the year, the city’s Civil Rights Enforcement Agency (CREA) has been without appointed oversight for a significant period of time. CREA is the city agency tasked with investigating instances of discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The terms of the most recently appointed members of the agency’s oversight commission ended in November of 2024. The majority of former board members saw their terms end in 2023 and 2022. As at the time of our previous reporting, CREA’s only active members are agency director Vernon Mitchell and Ald. Daniela Velazquez, who chairs the aldermanic legislation committee. The chair of the legislation committee is automatically placed, as set by ordinance.
CREA’s board has not met in some time, according to the city’s website, which indicates that the commission last met in 2023. As most of the board members’ terms ended prior to 2024, it likely has not had a quorum since that time. Earlier in the year, the Jones administration stated that new applicants were being vetted and that a new slate of board members would be appointed. This never came to pass, and the seats remain empty.
When contacted to find out if the Spencer administration had plans to refill the oversight board, Deputy Director of Communications Rasmus Jorgensen said that the former members are being given a chance to apply for another term on the CREA commission. While the city’s website still lists them as “serving beyond term”, none of the former members contacted in January indicated that they were actually serving beyond their terms. Given that it has been over two years since the last board meeting, it does not appear that former listed members are still serving. Jorgensen also mentioned that other applications will be considered.
The mayor’s office indicated that applications will be accepted until October 31st. After the deadline has passed, the mayor will review both new and past applicants. Jorgensen stated that the goal is to have a new set of commissioners appointed by the end of the year. City residents interested in serving on CREA’s board can apply using this link.
