Equity and Inclusion

Middle Eastern community celebrates Illinois becoming first state to add its racial classification

September 6, 2023

With just a few short words, lawmakers passed a bill that, once signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, makes Illinois the first state to add the racial classification of Middle Eastern or North African for state data collection purposes. State senators,…

Fact Check-Illinois bill only allows certain non-citizens to become police officers

August 16, 2023

Illinois House Bill 3751 only allows non-citizens who are eligible to work in the U.S. and are authorized to possess firearms under federal law to become police officers. Contrary to confusion on social media, the bill does not extend this…

Illinois enacts bill allowing noncitizens to join police force

August 14, 2023

(NewsNation) — Amid an alarming shortage of police officers across the country, there’s a bold new proposal that might help solve the problem: filling police ranks with non-U.S. citizens. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill last week that would…

Illinois’ 2022 Corporate Board Diversity Report Shows Major Gains for Women

April 13, 2023

In 2019, legislation sponsored by House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch aimed at increasing the diversity of our corporate boards was signed into law. Today, Denominator reports the average share of women who hold a board seat has increased by 38%…

Arlington Heights Lawmaker Helps Pass Bill Honoring Native Remains

April 11, 2023

Democrat Mark Walker is behind a bill that would create a state process for the reburial and repatriation of remains of Native Americans. ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — An Arlington Heights lawmaker is attempting to pave the way for the remains…

Illinois House Passes Legislation to Require Illinois Students to Learn Native American History

March 24, 2023

ROCKFORD (WREX) — The Illinois House of Representatives passed HB1633, on a bipartisan vote of 75 to 32 with one member voting present. The bill was sponsored by State Representative Maurice West (D-Rockford.) The legislation requires certain courses of American…

First Black Speaker of Illinois House Hints at Need for More Diversity in Legislative District Map

February 27, 2021

Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch gave his standard reply to a question about redistricting reform last week when queried at the Chicago Economic Club, saying different people have different opinions about what a “fair map” actually is.