IL HB0252

Reduces the employer threshold under Illinois Human Rights Act from 15 employees to 1 employee for most discrimination claims, effective July 1, 2020.

Expands definition of "employee" to include unpaid interns under specified conditions, including that work supplements educational training, provides experience to the intern, does not displace regular employees, and provides no immediate advantage to the employer.

Adds "place of worship" to the religious exemption language in the employer definition to clarify that houses of worship are excluded from Act coverage for employment discrimination claims.

Maintains existing exemptions for elected officials, principal administrative officers, and vocational rehabilitation facility participants from employee protections.

Preserves all existing definitions of employment agencies, labor organizations, sexual harassment, religion, and public employer/employee under the Human Rights Act.