IL HB4855

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to establish that preventing discrimination in employment based on credit history is state public policy.

Makes it a civil rights violation for employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations to inquire into or use an employee's or prospective employee's credit history in hiring, promotion, discipline, or other employment decisions.

Provides five exceptions allowing credit history consideration: when substantially related to a bona fide job qualification, when required for bonding under state or federal law, for supervisory/managerial/professional positions at federally-insured financial institutions, when required by state or local government agencies, or when otherwise required by federal or state law.

Requires employers to obtain written consent from an employee or prospective employee before conducting any credit history check, regardless of whether an exception applies.

Adds "credit history" to the list of protected classes under the Illinois Human Rights Act and includes the new provision in definitions of civil rights violations.