Bill > SB2212

This bill, known as the Enslavement Era Disclosure and Redress Act, requires companies bidding on state contracts to investigate and disclose their historical connections to slavery, including any past involvement in slaveholding, slave trade, or slavery-related insurance policies. Companies must submit detailed affidavits documenting their research, which will be reviewed by an Administrator appointed by the Illinois Office of Equity. If a company is found to have participated in slavery-related activities, they must participate in a public hearing and contribute financially to a newly established Redress Fund, which will support educational and economic development projects in areas historically impacted by racial discrimination. The bill mandates significant transparency, requiring public reports, hearings, and online disclosure of findings. Companies that fail to comply or submit false information can be barred from state contracts, with potential legal actions enforceable by the state office or Illinois residents. The underlying purpose is to acknowledge the historical economic exploitation of enslaved persons, promote corporate accountability, and provide a mechanism for addressing the long-lasting impacts of slavery through targeted community investments and public recognition of historical injustices.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2212&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104