Governor JB Pritzker is signing a package of four bills designed to increase economic equity and opportunities across the state.
The new laws tackle discrimination and inequities from several angles, preventing employers from disqualifying candidates with a criminal record unless it substantially relates to the job and capping the interest rates on short-term loans at 36%.
“With title and payday loans, and loan rates that have soared past 100, 200 even 300% interest, this reform offers substantial protections to the low income communities so often targeted by these predatory changes.”
Governor Pritzker says the laws also change the state’s procurement code to increase the diversity of business contracting with the state and improves access to public housing.
“When it comes to many of the challenging and sometimes seemingly hopeless issues that we have in our black communities, most can be traced back to an economic related cause. When we solve these economic root causes, we see less violence, hopelessness and despair in our communities.”
The legislation is one of the four pillars pushed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. Education and criminal justice reform pillars have already been signed into law.
