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SB2251Introduced in the Senate

HUMAN RTS-LANGUAGE CITIZENSHIP

IntroducedSenate Assignments

Introduced by Ram Villivalam, District 8

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Changes the Public Accommodations and Financial Credit Articles to prohibit discrimination on the basis of citizenship, primary language, or immigration status that includes discrimination against a person because of the person's actual or perceived characteristic or characteristics within the listed categories or that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any particular characteristic or characteristics within the listed categories. "Citizenship" means the status of being: (i) a born U.S. citizen; (ii) a naturalized U.S. citizen; or (iii) a U.S. national. "Immigration status" means citizenship of some country other than the United States, including stateless persons, and the specific authority, or lack thereof, to reside in or otherwise to be present in the United States. "Primary language" means a person's preferred language for communication. Provides that it is not a civil rights violation to verify immigration status or any discrimination based upon verified immigration status if required by federal law. Nothing in the Act may be construed to require the provision of services or documents in a language other than English beyond that which is otherwise required by other provisions of federal, State, or local law. Provides that a civil rights violation for a violation of Articles 4 and 5 may include statutory damages of 3 times the amount of actual damages sustained or $8,000, whichever is the greater.

Where it stands

Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert Peters

February 27, 2025

How did lawmakers vote?

No recorded vote is available for this bill yet.

What do people think?

Citizen Voice

How would you vote on this bill?

An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.

One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.

Bill history

  1. Filed with Secretary by Sen. Ram Villivalam

  2. First Reading

  3. Referred to Assignments

  4. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes

  5. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura

  6. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa

  7. Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán

  8. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Fine

  9. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

  10. Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler

  11. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio

  12. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert Peters

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