Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB4188

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Includes the status of ex-offender in the definition of unlawful discrimination under the Act. Defines ex-offender. Contains provisions regarding construction with other laws. Provides that the Department of Human Rights shall research, document, and establish guidelines for eliminating discrimination by public and private institutions in employment, education, housing, and lending practices associated with the status of being an ex-offender and shall annually report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly.

Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to supersede federal or State laws, rules, or regulations that require inquiry into criminal conviction records. Provides that unlawful discrimination on the basis of ex-offender status does not include the refusal to enter into a real estate transaction or to offer a public accommodation because the entering into the transaction or the offering the public accommodation would involve an unreasonable risk to property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public. Provides that unlawful discrimination on the basis of ex-offender status does not include the refusal to enter into a financial credit transaction because there is a direct relationship between one or more of the previous criminal offenses and the risk exposure to the creditor, or entering into the transaction would involve an unreasonable risk to property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for any employer, employment agency, or labor organization to refuse to hire an applicant because the applicant has previously been convicted of one or more criminal offenses, or by reason of a finding of lack of good moral character when the finding is based upon the fact that the applicant has previously been convicted of one or more criminal offenses, unless there is a direct relationship between one or more of the previous criminal offenses and the employment sought or the granting of the employment would involve an unreasonable risk to property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public. Sets forth factors that an employer may consider in the use of conviction information. Makes other changes.

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