House passes bill to rename, revamp affirmative action policy in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — Illinois lawmakers are looking to revamp affirmative action policies in the state.

Under a new bill(HB 3914), all references to affirmative action under Illinois law would be changed instead to be called "positive actions."

If signed into law, the bill would require every state agency to take positive actions they believe are necessary to combat discrimination against employees in a protected class.

That means that those who are considered a protected class can be favored for job recruitment or promotions over those that aren’t.

According to the bill, "’protected characteristic’ means race and any other characteristic which may be used, either directly or indirectly, to discriminate against or place at a disadvantage such persons having that characteristic.”

“It would be something positive and give me, and people like me, the opportunity to have the same jobs, and equity, and housing, and access,” State Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago, said.

The bill passed the Illinois House on Thursday, April 22, along party lines and with Democrats in favor. It now heads to the Senate.

Republicans opposed say the state’s Central Management Services is against the bill, which is the agency that ensures the other 80 state agencies are running smoothly and efficiently.