Letter to the Editor: Killing DEI program would be ‘terrible step backwards’

Killing DEI program would be ‘terrible step backwards’

As supporters of the richness that people of different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences bring to the city of Naperville, we read with concern the Sept. 8 opinion piece in the Naperville Sun suggesting that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) should be on the “short list” of items removed from the 2025 Naperville city budget.

Although we certainly acknowledge that pencils should be sharpened and every budget item examined closely, we would be sorry to see the city’s mission of supporting “an inclusive community that values diversity” on the chopping block without a viable alternative focused on maintaining the welcoming spirit of Naperville.

Naperville is a large community that is very much enriched by its diversity. Our organizations hope the city will ensure there are clear and public ways that a commitment to being a truly welcoming community continues.

Certainly, the budget process is a natural venue for evaluating the current program’s impact and planning for improvements going forward, but a dramatic curtailment or a wholesale elimination of the program as implied in the recent opinion piece would be a terrible step backwards and would send the wrong message about Naperville’s commitment to being an inclusive and welcoming community.

From The League of Women Voters of the United States: “Applying a DEI lens is a way of examining a program, process, product or otherwise with an eye toward how it will be perceived by a variety of communities, voices and perspectives and what barriers may exist that prevent it from being equitable or inclusive to everyone.’”

What will our city do to ensure the voices of all communities are represented? How will our city ensure that the likely intended and unintended outcomes of decisions avoid potential negative impacts?

Whatever budget decisions are considered and made, we hope they are accompanied by strong support for the totality of our community members.

Susan Craighead, President, The League of Women Voters of Naperville

Nikki Batsch, President, AAUW Naperville Area

Jill Lexier, National Council of Jewish Women Illinois 

Laura Welch, President, Illinois National Organization for Women

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