Dimensions of diversity include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical abilities, geographic location, and class and socioeconomic status.  Public policy concerning diversity most often revolves around the question of inclusion – the civil rights movement, women’s rights movement and other civil rights movements aimed to institutionalize equitable hiring, wage, and other practices. By the 1970s and 1980s, however, it became obvious and legal mandates were not entirely sufficient to ensure the effective management of diversity. Many workplaces began to institute programs aimed at “valuing diversity.” The 1990s witnesses a shift to a “business” case for diversity which argued that diversity was ultimately profitable as well as socially desirable.

Diversity Issues in Illinois

Today, Illinois is faced with an increasingly diverse population. The population itself has grown by 11.7 percent between 1990 and 2005. In that time period, the number of non-Hispanic whites decreased by 1.1 percent. Meanwhile, the number of blacks grew by 13.6 percent, the number of Latinos grew by more than 100 percent, and the number of Asians and others grew by nearly 100 percent.  In response to questions about sexual preferences, 10 percent of men and 11 percent of women might be considered members of the LGBT community. Between 1990 and 2005, the native-born population in Illinois grew by a modest 5.2 percent from 10.5 million to 11 million. In contrast, the foreign-born population in Illinois increased from just over 950,000 to an estimated 1.74 million. This represents an 83 percent increase.

Illinois Residents’ Stances Towards Diversity Issues

Residents of Illinois are divided by race on the issue of affirmative action. 76 percent of African Americans support the view that if a “company has a history of discriminating against blacks when making hiring decisions, then they should be required to have an affirmative action program that gives blacks preference in hiring.”  About half (48 percent) of Hispanic respondents support this view. But only 30 percent of whites do. Women (40 percent) are also more likely to support affirmative action to redress past discrimination than are men (30 percent).

Illinois residents are also at odds with each other over the issue of immigration. 78 percent of Hispanic respondents said they believe undocumented residents should be allowed to stay. But fewer than 4 in 10 African Americans held such a belief, and about half of whites preferred this policy option. Similarly, 58 percent of immigrants believe that undocumented residents should be allowed to stay compared with 40 percent of native-born residents.

A clear majority (58 percent) of Illinois residents oppose a “constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.”

Legislative and Policy Prospects for Diversity in Illinois 

Currently, the Illinois General Assembly is considering legislation that could expand diversity and increase inclusion. But there are also proposals that could curtail diversity efforts. In particular, HB1331 and SB0085 of the 95th General Assembly would allow one’s designated domestic partner to qualify as a surviving spouse for purposes of survivor and death benefits.  Similarly, the Illinois General Assembly is considering legislation (HB1100) which would expand the rights of immigrants by allowing the issuance of driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants that would not be traceable by federal agencies for identification or any other official purpose. Proponents of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, which banned the use of affirmative action in institutions of higher education in Michigan, have identified Illinois (along with two dozen other states) as likely targets for similar initiatives.

How should the state respond when the preferences of groups are in conflict with each other? Policy leaders will need to foster cultural understanding, partnership and good will. Those in positions of power and responsibility will need to focus on shared humanity despite political and policy differences. They will need to be able to lead us to work through our differences and deal with the inevitable policy tensions in a constructive manner.