summary
Introduced
02/06/2026
02/06/2026
In Committee
02/10/2026
02/10/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that in the Articles governing employment, financial credit, and public accommodations it is a civil rights violation to use criteria or methods including practices, policies, and groups of practices or policies that has the effect of subjecting individuals to discrimination prohibited under the Act. Changes the definition of "unlawful discrimination" to mean discrimination against a person, whether by purpose or effect, because of his or her actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, order of protection status, disability, military status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, reproductive health decisions, or unfavorable discharge from military service as those terms are defined in the Act.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the Civil Rights Safeguard Act, amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to expand protections against discrimination. It clarifies that "unlawful discrimination" now includes discrimination that occurs not only intentionally but also as a result of certain practices, policies, or methods, even if not intended to discriminate. This means that if a practice has a discriminatory effect on individuals based on protected characteristics like race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or disability, it can be considered a civil rights violation. The bill specifically adds provisions to address "criteria or methods" that result in discrimination in employment (Article 2), financial credit (Article 4), and public accommodations (Article 5), stating that such practices are unlawful unless they are necessary to achieve a substantial, legitimate, nondiscriminatory interest and cannot be achieved through less discriminatory means.
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr. (on 02/20/2026)
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