Bill > SB1666

This bill amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to expand protections against discrimination by introducing a new standard for evaluating discriminatory practices across employment, financial services, and public accommodations. Specifically, the bill makes it a civil rights violation to use criteria or methods that have the effect of discriminating against individuals based on characteristics like citizenship status, work authorization, arrest record, or conviction record, unless the employer, financial institution, or service provider can demonstrate that such criteria are necessary to achieve a substantial, legitimate, and nondiscriminatory interest and cannot be achieved through a less discriminatory alternative approach. The bill essentially broadens the legal framework to address not just intentional discrimination, but also practices that have an unintentional discriminatory impact, giving individuals more protection against systemic or indirect forms of discrimination in various areas of public life. By adding this language to existing sections of the Human Rights Act, the bill aims to create a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to preventing discriminatory practices in Illinois.

Justice

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1666&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104