With Eye Towards More Diversity, Peoria Plots Path Forward

The Peoria City Council will hear Tuesday how the city is progressing on its diversity hiring goals. 

Peoria is about 57 percent white and 26 percent black, but the make-up of the city government's workforce doesn't reflect those demographics.

Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Dr. Farris Muhammad says the city's workforce has shrunk by 26 percent since 2009. He says the diversity report will look at several factors.

"As it relates to layoffs, to what degree has it been proportionate, as far as the demographics and make-up of our city. So that's some of the things that will be coming out of that report," he said. 

Muhammad said the diversity report will also show how the city's doing on hiring, recruiting, and retaining a diverse workforce, as well as the path forward. 

Some steps the city is eyeing include an affirmative action plan, recruting at historically black colleges and universities, and providing interview training to the Fair Employment Commission. 

The city council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. You can hear the broadcast live on 89.9 FM or WCBU.org.

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