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A Presentation on Racial Equity Initiatives
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Introduction
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The purpose of this presentation is to provide the Board of Trustees with an update on a variety of Racial Equity initiatives that originated as Board Goals for the 2024-2025 term. Key updates include the Village’s Language Access Plan, Racial Equity Assessment, Racial Equity Policy Audit, Reparations, Human Rights Ordinance, and Community Relations.
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Recommended Action
Staff is providing an update to the Board and seeking feedback, particularly as it relates to the Racial Equity Policy Audit. No formal action is required at this time.
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior action(s):
• On October 22, 2024, the Board approved the Village’s Language Access Plan.
• On July 16, 2024, the Board heard a presentation from the community-led Oak Park Reparations Task Force.
• On January 23, 2024, the Board adopted Village Board Goals for the 2024-2025 term, including 4 Priorities outlining the Board’s vision for Racial Equity.
• On May 8, 2023, the Board approved a professional services agreement with the University of Illinois Chicago to conduct a racial equity assessment.
Background
On January 23, 2024 the Board of Trustees adopted its goals for the 2024-2025 term. These goals included Racial Equity as one of the overarching goals with four priorities that outlined the Board’s vision for Racial Equity in Oak Park. While there has been leadership transition within the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, staff continue to make progress on the Board’s racial equity priorities and the ongoing operationalizing of DEI throughout the organization. Tonight’s presentation provides an update on high priority racial equity projects that may be of particular interest to the Board. This includes updates on the Village’s Language Access Plan (LAP), the Racial Equity Assessment conducted by UIC’s Greater Cities Institute, forthcoming Racial Equity Policy Audit, reparations, Human Rights Ordinance and Community Relations modernization efforts. Dr. Kathleen Yang Clayton, the lead investigator from the Village’s 2023 Racial Equity Assessment project will also present findings from the study.
Timing Considerations
There are no specific timing considerations associated with this item.
Budget Impact
There is no budget impact associated with this item.
Staffing Impact
There is no staffing impact associated with this item. The item aligns with the Office of DEI’s core service delivery.
DEI Impact
The Village’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion exists to advance diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the Village organization and in the broader community through a combination of policy and protocol recommendations, program offerings and baseline service delivery. This includes facilitating community engagement, coordinating cultural education and events, administration of the Village’s Human Rights Ordinance, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to advance the Board’s DEI goals.
Community Input
There has been no community input given in relation to this study session item, however community input has been a core component of several of the DEI initiatives including but not limited to the Racial Equity Assessment, which included commission surveys, Community Relations Commission interviews, and an open community survey. The Village’s work on reparations and reparative justice has been propelled by community advocacy by Walk the Walk and the community-led Oak Park Reparations Task Force, and the Human Rights Ordinance and Community Relations Commission modernization process has been supported by community members and advocates.
Staff Recommendation
Staff is providing an update. Board member feedback to inform the Racial Equity Policy Audit, or other forthcoming equity initiatives is desired.
Alternatives
There are no alternatives proposed at this time.
Anticipated Future Actions
Staff will bring forward updates related to Racial Equity as appropriate.
Additional Board action may be required to authorize approval of agreements or funding associated with Language Access programming.
The Board will review and adopt a full Racial Equity Action Strategic Plan and reparative justice programming, once developed.
Prepared By: Kira Tchang, Assistant Village Manager/HR Director
Reviewed By: Jack Malec, Assistant to the Village Manager
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Staff Presentation
2. GCI Presentation
3. Racial Equity Assessment