City Council Approves Controversial Diversity Consultant Agreement

During a recent city council meeting, officials discussed a resolution to approve an agreement with Diversity Learning Solutions, a Chicago-based consulting firm, to conduct an organizational assessment aimed at improving internal policies and employee satisfaction. City Manager Newkritge outlined the need for the assessment, emphasizing the importance of gathering feedback from employees and reviewing hiring practices to enhance retention and attraction efforts.

The initiative is part of a collaborative effort with neighboring communities, Glencoe and Wilmette, to share resources and reduce costs. The village of Wilmette has already approved the agreement, while Glencoe is expected to finalize its participation soon, which could lead to a cost reduction for all parties involved.

Councilmember Littor expressed support for the comprehensive approach to improving the workplace culture, highlighting the focus on both current and future employees. However, the meeting also featured public commentary that raised concerns about the consultant's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training. Josh Weiner from the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values questioned the implications of anti-racist strategies endorsed by the consultant's CEO, citing potential biases and the risk of undermining merit-based practices.

In response, city officials acknowledged the concerns and assured that the assessment would be conducted with caution, aiming to avoid any unintended negative consequences. The council is set to vote on the resolution in the coming weeks, with ongoing discussions about the balance between promoting equity and maintaining fairness in organizational practices.