Jennifer Haley-Perrin

This report, commissioned by the State of Illinois African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission, provides a thorough assessment of systemic injustices and racial harms experienced by Black Illinoisans since statehood. It identifies and details nine broad categories of harm: enslavement and servitude, racial terror, political disenfranchisement, stolen economic labor, policing and the legal system, housing, education, family, and health. The report serves as an evidence-based accounting of Black life in Illinois to inform future reparations recommendations and address these lasting harms.

The FY25 African American Employment Plan Report evaluates the State of Illinois' commitment to increasing African American employment across all levels, ensuring a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workforce. The plan's strategic recommendations focus on strengthening community and faith-based collaborations, expanding regional recruitment and placement efforts, improving data, metrics, and accountability, and leveraging the expertise of the African American Employment Plan Advisory Council. The overall vision is to build a representative state workforce that reflects the diversity of Illinois, especially by enhancing African American representation in leadership roles through targeted recruitment and retention initiatives.

This report outlines the Asian American Employment Plan, an annual initiative by Illinois Central Management Services to increase the number of Asian American employees within State agencies and ensure a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workforce. The plan details progress for FY25 and establishes strategic goals for FY26. Key focus areas include expanding recruitment and outreach partnerships, promoting agency accountability for outreach representation, supporting data-driven workforce goals, expanding State internship and fellowship opportunities, enhancing bilingual pay and language access representation, and strengthening the Asian American Employment Plan Advisory Council's engagement.

This annual report for Fiscal Year 2025 outlines efforts to increase Hispanic/Latinx employment within Illinois State agencies and sets goals for Fiscal Year 2026. It analyzes progress in building a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workforce, noting an overall increase in Hispanic/Latinx employees while highlighting a continued need for improvement in leadership representation. The plan focuses on key strategic areas including strengthening the talent pool, advancing bilingual access and pay equity, improving data integrity and accountability, enhancing veteran recruitment and retention, fostering equity across agencies, and increasing Council engagement and community collaboration. The overarching goal is to achieve a State workforce that reflects Illinois' diverse population and ensures equitable opportunities and access to services.

The event was the third annual Women's History Month panel titled "Women in State Government: Leading the Change Through Service & Systems for a Sustainable Future." The discussion featured reflections on leadership journeys, lessons learned, and the responsibility of stewarding public trust, emphasizing collaboration, empathy, and equity in public service. Key participants discussed their roles leading complex state systems, including transportation, health and human services, and early childhood development. The moderator also acknowledged the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Jr., highlighting his commitment to gender pay equity.