SPRINGFIELD – In order to strengthen and preserve Illinois’ civil rights protections, State Senator Adriane Johnson’s new law codifies standards to assess whether policies have discriminatory impacts within the Illinois Human Rights Act.
“Fairness means ensuring that opportunity is truly accessible to all people, regardless of background or circumstance,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Disparate impact standards help identify unintended inequalities and encourage policies that better serve the public as a whole.”
Senate Bill 3777 will codify the use of disparate impact standards within the Illinois Human Rights Act, ensuring policies that appear neutral at face value but disproportionately harm protected communities can still be challenged under state law.
The law will reinforce Illinois’ authority to provide stronger protections than the federal minimum by safeguarding residents from systemic discrimination in employment, housing, education, financial credit and public accommodations.
“Illinois has a long history of leading civil rights and ensuring that those protections remain strong, clear and enforceable regardless of shifting federal priorities,” Johnson said. “Today, we live up to that legacy and continue on the long march to true equality.”
Senate Bill 3777 was signed into law Friday.
