The bill also redefines 'real estate transaction' to encompass a broader range of actions that can affect a person's right to real property. Under this revised definition, actions that make property unavailable or deny real property based on certain discriminatory criteria—including familial status, immigration status, source of income, and arrest records—are specifically classified as civil rights violations. This change intends to strengthen protections against housing discrimination in Illinois.
SB3664, introduced by Senator Laura Fine, seeks to amend the Illinois Human Rights Act. This legislation places additional responsibilities on employers regarding workplace harassment, holding them accountable for harassment or sexual harassment perpetrated by non-managerial and non-supervisory employees only if the employer is aware of the conduct and neglects to take appropriate corrective actions. This new standard aims to clarify employer liabilities concerning workplace misconduct.
Notably, SB3664 enables aggrieved parties to act on judicial orders without needing to intervene in Human Rights Commission enforcement actions. This provision may prompt concerns regarding the potential for an increase in lawsuits against employers and real estate entities. Critics might argue that by allowing individuals to seek penalties greater than previous provisions for each act of discrimination, the bill could lead to excessive litigation and impose burdensome costs on the businesses and individuals it aims to protect.
Further amendments include eliminating the authority of Human Rights Commission commissioners to hire staff attorneys, revising penalties related to real estate transaction violations, and repealing certain regulations regarding employment discrimination in connection with federal immigration laws. These changes reflect a shift towards streamlining procedures and potentially reducing administrative overhead within the commission.