The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into whether the city of Chicago violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act after Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized on the race of workers in his administration.
DOJ raised concerns over the mayor's comments at a public event highlighting the race of his hires, prompting the investigation.
The mayor's administration is reported to have a diverse composition, with 45% Black, 25% Latin/a, 30% White, and 8% Asian employees.
The investigation comes amidst increased scrutiny of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, with attorneys cautioning employers about potential legal implications of certain diversity initiatives.