Human Rights Commission

Members: 

Vincent DeGeorge
 Rev. Ralph Dunkin
 Elissa Gross
 Elisa Hickman
 Rabbi Joshua Lief, Chair
 David Miller
 Loma Nevels
 Emily Ward

Unique Murphy 

Mission 

It is the mission of the Human Rights Commission to encourage mutual respect among all racial, religious and ethnic groups within the City. The provision of equal opportunity in areas of employment, housing and places of public accommodations is the public policy of the City of Wheeling. Because the denial of these rights for discriminatory reasons is contrary to the principles of a free society, the City of Wheeling Human Rights Commission was created by ordinance to prevent and redress such instances.

The Commission is composed of nine members, all residents of the City and broadly representative of the several racial, religious and ethnic groups residing in the City. At least one commission member must be a practicing attorney. Members to the Commission are appointed by the Mayor and with the advice and consent of Council. Members of the Commission serve without compensation.

Goals 

• To cooperate and work with Federal, State and local government offices, units, agencies and activities in the promotion and attainment of more harmonious understanding and greater equality of rights between and among all racial, religious and ethnic groups in the City.
• To enlist the cooperation of racial, religious and ethnic units, community and civic organizations, industrial and labor organizations and other identifiable groups of the City in programs and campaigns devoted to the advancement of tolerance, understanding and the equal protection of the laws for all groups and peoples.
• To receive, investigate and pass upon complaints alleging discrimination in employment or places of public accommodations because of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, blindness or handicap and complaints alleging discrimination in the sale, purchase, lease, rental and financing of housing accommodations or real property because of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, blindness, handicap or familial status.
• To initiate its own consideration of any situations, circumstances or problems, including any racial, religious or ethnic group tensions, prejudice, disorder or discrimination reported or existing within the City relating to employment, places of accommodations, housing accommodations, and real property.