THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CENTRAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES IS ANNOUNCING THE NEW NATIVE AMERICAN EMPLOYMENT PLAN ADVISORY COUNCIL, WHICH WILL WORK TO INCREASE DIVERSITY IN STATE GOVERNMENT. 

THE 10 MEMBER GROUP IS LOOKING AT WAYS TO ATTRACT MORE NATIVE AMERICAN STATE EMPLOYEES AND ADDRESS ANY BARRIERS THEY FACE IN APPLYING OR PROMOTING TO HIGHER POSITIONS SAYS C-M-S DEPUTY DIRECTOR REBECCA ROUSSELL.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 750 THOUSAND NATIVE AMERICANS LIVING IN ILLINOIS BUT THEY ONLY MAKE UP A VERY SMALL PORTION OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT WORKFORCE.

THE 10 MEMBER GROUP WILL MEET QUARTERLY TO EXAMINE BARRIERS THAT NATIVE AMERICANS FACE IN APPLYING FOR STATE JOBS AND GETTING PROMOTIONS.