Strategic Plan For Diversity & Inclusion

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In October of 2021, the City Manager created and added the Diversity and Inclusion Division to the Administration Department and appointed a Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. This position was then tasked to advance a citywide racial equity framework to examine and improve the City of Bloomington’s internal policies, practices, and systems to eradicate any structural and/or institutional racism that may exist in our city government.

As a component of the strategic plan for diversity and inclusion the City of Bloomington is striving to broaden its diversity and strengthen its inclusiveness. The city will strive to create an inclusive workplace where employees feel valued and respected regardless of their differences allowing them to be themselves and assisting them to reach their full potential in serving the residents of our city.

This diversity and inclusion strategy is the city’s blueprint to achieve these changes to the benefit of our residents while addressing the unique challenges of equal employment opportunities, small business growth, and total access for the disabled community. It identifies the priorities and actions we will take over the next four years. It outlines the key roles and responsibilities and how we will track progress and measure success.

The City of Bloomington is committed to modeling an inclusive culture. This plan identifies strategic elements which have been found to be most essential in promoting the benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in employment, proactive in support of accessibility and affirming the merits of diversity in business practices.

It is the city’s strong commitment to end systemic racism and exclusion that drives our current effort to create a diverse, accessible, equitable and inclusive environment for all residents and visitors.

EEO STATEMENT

At the City of Bloomington, our mission is to capitalize on opportunities for social and economic development while maintaining an inclusive, viable and safe environment for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. Through responsible and professional leadership and in partnership with others, the city will strive to improve the quality of life for all residents living and working in the larger community.

The City of Bloomington is a community that embraces change while respecting the cultural heritage of the area. It is a municipality based on strong fiscal government with a durable economy that recognizes the rights of all residents, respects the environment and the amenities that it affords and offers to residents an exceptional quality of life and a government that is versatile, accessible, and enterprising.

THE PLAN

The Strategic Diversity Plan for the City of Bloomington, Illinois includes the following elements:

Demographic analysis: Gather data on the current population of the city, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, and other factors, to understand the city's current diversity.
Goals and objectives: Identify specific, measurable goals and objectives for increasing diversity in city employment, the representation of minority owned, and women owned and disenfranchised business enterprises on city funded contracts, and equal access to all city programs, services and activities and facilities for individuals with a disability thereby creating a more inclusive community for all residents.
Training and education: Provide training and education to city employees, elected officials, board and commission members on diversity, equity, and inclusion, to build a more inclusive culture in the city.
Recruitment and hiring: Implement strategies to recruit and retain a diverse workforce, including outreach to underrepresented communities, and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace environment.
Policy reviews and development: Review city policies and procedures to identify areas where changes can be made to increase diversity and equity and develop new policies that promote diversity and inclusion.
Monitoring and evaluation: Regularly monitor progress towards the goals and objectives of the Strategic Diversity Plan, and evaluate the effectiveness of diversity and inclusion initiatives, to make ongoing improvements.

By implementing a Strategic Diversity Plan, the City of Bloomington can create a more inclusive and equitable community for all residents and ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate and thrive in the city.

DEIScreenshot

KEY DEI CONCEPTS

Anti-Racism

Equity

Diversity

Inclusion

The City of Bloomington has a formal document available to the public outlining city’s compliance with the ADA, including a plan toward a more inclusive and universally accessible city. In advance of the implementation of the ADA Transition Plan, City Administration’s Diversity & Inclusion Division collected community feedback from disability advocates and members of the disability community about the challenges they faced in the city.

Increase the City’s hiring of those in the disability community.
Increase disability awareness of the City’s Emergency Preparedness Plan.
Improve sidewalk conditions and public transportation and increase accessible parking
Improve disability awareness through training of City employees.
Improve navigation throughout the city for individuals with disabilities.

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Racial Equity

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Promoting Diversity

Advancing Equity

Fostering Inclusion

STRATEGIES & ACTION STEPS

City of Bloomington, Illinois

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