Will County Gazette

Jen Monson, a candidate for Illinois Senate District 43, recently voiced her views on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), as well as critical race theory. Monson is set to challenge the incumbent Democrat Rachel Ventura in the upcoming general election.

"The DEI/CRT/SEL/etc. garbage is intentionally corrosive and divisive," said jennifer Monson for IL Senate, Republican candidate for state Senate District 43, according to Facebook. "It only serves to destroy self worth and divide us one from another. People need to understand that it is an elitist tool of power and control. We are all part of the same human family, and we need to reject the evil agenda,"

In a Facebook post, Monson shared content from Awake Illinois that was centered around DEI. The Awake Illinois post stated, "Shut DEI down. Everywhere." Accompanying this statement was a screenshot of a social media post by Nicki Neily, president of Parents Defending Education.

Screenshot of Jen Monson's March 26 Facebook post. | JenMonson4ILSenate43 Facebook page

Neily's post read, "Good. There’s no reason Americans’ tax dollars should be funding a DEI industry that’s rotten to its core. DEI policies are destructive and divide Americans – they have no place in our government."

This post included an image of a Fox News article published on March 25. According to the article, the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion will be dissolved due to the legislative funding bill passed by the House of Representatives to prevent government shutdown. It will be replaced by the Office of Talent Management.

Sesha Joi Moon, director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, said in the Fox News article: "Tentatively effective March 22, 2024, ODI will be dissolved as part of the FY2024 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill. However, while I will off-ramp in coming weeks as part of my long-planned departure, some from the team will continue in the USHR’s commitment to ‘put the people in the people’s house’ by transitioning to the newly formed Office of Talent Management within the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer." The Office of Diversity and Inclusion was established during Donald Trump's administration under former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), according to Fox News.

Monson is currently running as a Republican nominee for Illinois State Senate District 43 after winning an uncontested primary race. Her campaign website reveals that she is an educator and school board member who aims to "work to maintain citizen rights and their ability to exercise their God-given rights to exist and live freely without unconstitutional government overreach."