Oak Park was one of the first municipalities in the country to make diversity a matter of public policy by formally adopting a written statement that embodied the importance of openness and acceptance to quality of life in a community.
Following each two-year local election cycle since a Diversity Statement was first adopted in 1973, the Village Board has demonstrated its support of the high ideals embodied in the original statement by expanding and reaffirming its content via a formal resolution.
With a focus on differences defining much of the current dialogue in the United States and the world, this year the Village Board took the statement to a new level, even broadening its title.
The new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion statement was adopted unanimously by the Village Board in October.
Residents are invited to read this new, updated version of the words that have helped define Oak Park and consider the broader intent at www.oak-park.us/diversitystatement.