Monday, May 16, 2005
Chicago Sun-Times
by STEVE PATTERSON

Half of Cook County's public offices don't reflect the racial diversity of the county itself.

And the hiring of Hispanics lags behind all other minority groups.

Those trends emerge from the county's first-ever tally of diversity in the workplace, developed after a mandate pushed by Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado and others last year.

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Just five years ago, commissioners passed an ordinance mandating county contractors have a 40 percent minority work force.

But records show three county offices -- state's attorney, assessor and the Forest Preserve District -- wouldn't even meet that criteria.

Maldonado called it "shocking."

"This should not be an issue that fragments county government," he said. "Unless there is a genuine bureaucratic will and political will, this will never change."

'Absolutely dismal'

Figures also show that while County Board President John Stroger has among the most diverse staffs -- with a 68 percent minority makeup -- the Forest Preserve District he runs is the least diverse, at just 29 percent minority.

Stroger said many forest preserve workers were hired before he became president 10 years ago, adding he emphasizes diversity in management when he can, as that "is the place where I can have some influence."

"The work force, if possible, should reflect the makeup of the communities the government operates in," Stroger said.

But records also show diversity plummets when considering the makeup of "professional jobs."

Only Stroger, Recorder Eugene Moore and Clerk of the Circuit Court Dorothy Brown -- all of whom are black -- have put minorities into even half of those high-paying professional jobs.

Maldonado, planning a press conference this week to address the disparities, said he'll propose an ordinance demanding greater consistency in a diverse workplace.

While Hispanics make up 20 percent of the county population, they make up just 8 percent of the county work force, something "we need to bring to the forefront.''

"These numbers are absolutely dismal," Maldonado said. "But no one wants to actually do anything about it."

'Never enough'

Though Cook County's population is 52 percent minority, four county officials -- Devine, Assessor James Houlihan, Treasurer Maria Pappas and Stroger's forest preserves -- have work forces that don't reflect that county makeup.

Each office emphasizes diversity in staff training and recruiting, but state's attorney spokesman John Gorman said "it's never enough."

He said while the state's attorney's office ranks lowest in diversity compared to other county offices, last year's diversity study by Chicago Lawyer showed the office is among the most diverse when compared with offices like the U.S. attorney and attorney general.

Conversely, Recorder Eugene Moore's office is only 26 percent white -- though spokesman Askia K. Abdullah said "our policy is not to give preference to anyone regarding race -- we look for the most qualified people," and "it's clear all segments of our community are being served here."

And while it might not surprise some to see offices headed up by African Americans providing the bulk of the diversity, the staff of Clerk David Orr -- who is white --has a 63 percent minority makeup.

Orr said while targeting recruiting to increase diversity is important, "it's not just about trying to reverse racial hiring of the past," but should also include diversity in religion and sexual orientation.