On Dec. 10, 2024, Janel Gomez from the Equity & Engagement Department, gave a presentation to the Champaign County Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Task Force about the City of Champaign’s Equal Opportunity in Purchasing Ordinance, the Champaign Diversity Advancement Program, and the DEI Division at the City of Champaign. The County DEI Task force is working on creating DEI policies and procedures for the County Government. Discussion included building an equity focused work environment, best practices to increase minority and women business participation in procurement and challenges those small businesses face. Representatives from the University of Illinois also spoke on MBE/WBE procurement.