HB5877 Summary: Racial Impact Note Act and Racial Discrimination Provisions

• Establishes the "Racial Impact Note Act" requiring bills with disparate impact on racial and ethnic minorities to include explanatory statements estimating effects before second reading, with specific agencies preparing notes based on bill subject matter.

• Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act to prohibit racial discrimination and harassment, require annual racial bias training for state officials and employees beginning in 2019, and mandate workplace policies addressing racial discrimination within 30 days of the act's effective date.

• Adds racial discrimination and harassment provisions to the Lobbyist Registration Act, requiring registered lobbyists to complete annual training and maintain written workplace policies addressing racial discrimination by January 1, 2019.

• Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to establish a toll-free hotline and website for reporting racial discrimination and harassment, with confidentiality protections and referral to appropriate investigative agencies.

• Creates enforcement mechanisms including administrative fines up to $5,000 per violation, discipline or discharge for state employees, and violations subject to the Executive Ethics Commission jurisdiction.