Column on DEI was hurtful to Naperville

Naperville City Councilman Josh McBroom recently wrote a guest column in this paper calling for considering putting an end to Naperville’s DEI program because it’s too expensive. As a financial adviser in Naperville, surely Mr. McBroom knows that what Naperville spends on DEI is minuscule in the city’s annual budget of over $600 million.

He says that Naperville should slash its DEI program because the “economy is sluggish,” another fact that he surely knows is incorrect. In June, the International Monetary Fund’s managing director called the U.S. economy remarkably strong. The U.S. has the only G-20 economy that exceeds pre-pandemic levels. Inflation has cooled, and wages are the highest in U.S. history.

Given that Mr. McBroom’s profession is giving clients financial advice, there must be another reason for wanting to slash Naperville’s DEI program. Unfortunately, it appears that Mr. McBroom is back to spreading partisan political talking points instead of putting Naperville first.

Last January, he needlessly fueled division, not only in Naperville but across the country, with his foolish idea of creating a list of residents to house migrants. When criticized, he lashed out with demeaning remarks and accusations.

In his guest column, Mr. McBroom tries to paint DEI as a divisive political ideology that pits people against each other and stifles free speech. Mr. McBroom, in his short time on Naperville City Council, has displayed a habit of provoking Naperville residents, on the dais and on social media. Mr. McBroom would serve the city of Naperville better if he stopped engaging in partisan politics.

Over 20% of Naperville’s population is foreign born, and we celebrate our diversity with many festivals throughout the year. All City Council members, along with the mayor, should be focused on engaging the whole community, not just the voting blocs that agree with them.

Nancy Turner and seven others

Indivisible Naperville