Johnson introduces Civil Rights Safeguard Act

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Adriane Johnson stood alongside representatives from the Illinois Department of Human Rights at a press conference Wednesday to outline her legislation to strengthen and preserve Illinois' civil rights protections amid growing federal rollbacks.

"As federal agencies retreat from enforcing long-standing civil rights protections, Illinois must step forward," said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). "This legislation ensures our state remains a place where fairness, accountability and equal opportunity are not optional - they are the law."

The Civil Rights Safeguard Act would 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 measure would 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.

"Confronting disparate impact is how we address discrimination that hides behind neutral policies that produce unequitable results," said State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). "We must expand disparate impact protections in the Illinois Human Rights Act to safeguard our communities from federal rollbacks, secure civil rights and ensure access to justice. Our rights should not depend on who occupies the White House."

The Civil Rights Safeguard Act aims to build on Illinois' long history of leading on civil rights and ensure protections remain strong, clear and enforceable regardless of shifting federal priorities.

"The intent of the bill is simple; to protect the civil rights that Illinoisans have long relied on," said IDHR Director Jim Bennett. "Disparate impact protections are essential because they allow us to address discrimination that is built into systems, even when it isn't explicit. This bill brings consistency to all Articles of the Illinois Human Rights Act."

The Civil Rights Safeguard Act awaits committee assignment.