Description

On April 27, 2026, Council merged the Welcoming America Commission with the Human Relations Commission and expanded its duties via Ordinance No. 2026-040. The Human Relations Commission now consists of ten (10) members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. The members serve a term of three (3) years. 

The mission of the Human Relations Commission is to foster tolerance and mutual respect through education and public awareness programs. The primary responsibility of the Commission is to eliminate unlawful discrimination within the City of Bloomington.

The Commission also serves as a catalyst to resolve conflicts within the community through the use of mediation and conciliation. The Human Relations Commission investigates complaints of discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, and financing. It is empowered to invite and collaborate with citizens, organizations, and committees that can support its mission and may adopt whatever bylaws, rules, procedures, and regulations are necessary for meetings and hearings.

The Commission is tasked with promoting and sponsoring an annual Juneteenth celebration and encouraging maximum participation and securing community and corporate sponsorships, as well as promoting and sponsoring an annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day observance.

The Commission also serves as an advisory body to the City Council, City Manager, and other officials on plans related to the City’s Welcoming America initiative, including establishing indicators for measuring community progress, acting as a convener and liaison with other public and private organizations, coordinating efforts to highlight the contributions of international residents, and monitoring demographic data on the economic impact and expressed needs of immigrant residents.

Mission Statement (Adopted June 14, 2000)

To protect the right of all citizens to equal opportunity for education, employment, housing, public accommodations and financing; To foster tolerance and mutual respect through education and public awareness programs; To deter and prevent unlawful discrimination through the implementation and enforcement of the Bloomington Human Relations Ordinance.

Human Relations Ordinances  

Bloomington City Code, Chapter 22.2 (1996) 

Notification of Amendment (for Ordinance No. 2002 - 091)- October 28, 2002

Ordinance No. 2002 - 091 - Amending City Code Chapter 22.2

Ordinance No. 2026 - 040 - Merging Welcoming America Commission into the Human Relations Commission

Documentation

Bloomington Human Relations Commission Position Statement

Members

Appointer Indicator	Position	Name	Term Exp
	Member	Rhonda Smith	4/30/2023
	Vice Chair	Kiran Konam	4/30/2023
	Member	Netia Carey	4/30/2023
	Chair	Anthony Jones	4/30/2027
	Member	Amy Andicott	4/30/2027
	Member	Mitchell D'Rozario	4/30/2027
	Member	Jishnuram Nair	4/30/2029
	Member	Adinda Akmal	4/30/2029
	Member	Archana Nadkarni	4/30/2029
	Member	Uma Kailasam	4/30/2029
	City Staff	Wilson, Greg	N/A
Indicates Mayor Appointed Position

Links

ACLU 
NAACP 
National Urban League
Minority Business Directory
Normal Human Relations Commission 
McLean County India Association 
Prairie Pride Coalition 
Illinois Department of Human Rights 
ISU Triangle Association 
Sister City Association of B/N 
ACLU of Illinois 
Southern Poverty Law Center
Anti-Defamation League
State of Illinois Attorney General's Office Americans with Disabilities Act Complaint Form