HB4179 Summary

• Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to add "family responsibilities" as a protected class, prohibiting discrimination based on an employee's actual or perceived provision of care to a family member.

• Defines "family responsibilities" as care provision (medical, psychological, supervision, transportation, meal preparation, financial management, etc.) to family members related by blood, marriage, adoption, foster care, legal custody, or close association equivalent to family relationships.

• Includes protection for care provision that occurred in the past, is currently occurring, or is perceived to occur in the future.

• Makes corresponding changes to the definition of "unlawful discrimination" to include discrimination based on family responsibilities in employment, real estate transactions, access to financial credit, and public accommodations.