Woodridge Mayor Shares New Initiatives Focused On Diversity

WOODRIDGE, IL — In a message to residents Friday, Woodridge Mayor Gina Cunningham shared a detailed list of action items she and the village board are going to be reviewing in an effort to continue focusing and working on the Village's core values, including diversity. Cunningham said she and the board have received a number of thoughtful written messages from neighbors regarding the local and nationwide calls for social justice reform and the social unrest in our nation.

Cunningham said that in an effort to demonstrate she and the board's continued commitment to the Village’s core values, they are working on several action items, including the creation of a Village Board Resolution "celebrating the diversity of our community and affirming our village’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion – within all of our initiatives and as our priority."

Other action items include exploring Village investments in memberships to national organizations who help cities develop leading policies, practices and programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion; the discussion of creating a Village Diversity Task Force/Commission or a permanent Community Relations Advisory Board; Woodridge Police Department's weekly “Lunch Time Conversations” with the public via the Zoom web platform; Woodridge Police Department Chief Cunningham, the board and mayor's review of recommended amendments to policies; the exploration of additional opportunities to further enhance the Woodridge Police Department’s transparency with the public; and several more outlined with further detail here.

Cunningham closed her message by recognizing residents and businesses for the outpouring of support and kindness they've demonstrated towards police officers. She also reminded everyone to be safe and continue following Gov. J.B. Pritzker's executive orders and recommendations surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

>> Read Mayor Cunningham's full message