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County board approves RFP to evaluate diversity, equity and inclusion efforts after months of task-force work
Summary
After months of task-force preparation and questions on scope and cost, the Champaign County Board voted to release a request for proposals to assess equal employment opportunity and affirmative-action practice and recommend implementation steps.
The Champaign County Board voted to release a request for proposals (RFP) to evaluate the county’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts and to propose implementation steps.
Why it matters: Board members said they want an outside analysis to move from written DEI policies to actionable implementation plans, including data on hiring, promotion and accessibility for members of underrepresented groups.
Discussion: Board members and task-force members described the RFP as a next step following roughly six months of volunteer and staff work. Supporters said the county lacks sufficient in-house expertise to assemble and implement a DEI plan and that a consultant would evaluate where the county is now and recommend steps to meet the board’s stated strategic goals on workforce diversity and inclusion.
Opponents questioned whether county personnel and existing state and federal civil-rights laws already require compliance, and they pressed for clarity on expected costs and whether the county could implement low-cost changes without an outside contractor. Board members said the RFP would provide a price range and a menu of recommendations, from lower-cost policy shifts to more resource-intensive actions.
Outcome: The motion to release the RFP passed by voice vote. One board member expressed opposition during debate; the board chair closed discussion and the motion was approved.
What the RFP will ask for: Board members and task-force representatives said they expect the consultant to perform data analysis of county hiring and promotion patterns, identify barriers to equal employment, evaluate accessibility of application processes and recommend a range of implementable options. The RFP is intended to be informational: the county will not be obligated to award a contract from responses.
Next steps: Staff will publish the solicitation and return to the board with responses and cost estimates for further action.
