Greenwood Bill to Increase Diversity and Employment Opportunities among State Agencies Signed into Law

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, which is designed to increase diversity and equity in the hiring practices of Illinois state agencies, has been signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.  

“When we talk about leveraging employment opportunities for women, minorities, and other individuals, what we are saying is that the state has a responsibility to ensure that hiring practices are equitable and just,” Greenwood said. “One way we are addressing this is by asking agencies of the state to come up with reasonable policies which will increase diversity on interview panels to give people from varying backgrounds a fair shot at employment with the state.”

Greenwood’s Senate Bill 1765 tasks Illinois state agencies with establishing goals specifically designed to increase the diversity of interview panels as a tool to elevate state employment opportunities and outcomes provided to women, minority persons, and bilingual speakers. The new law also stipulates that whenever possible, agencies should utilize currently employed persons which are reflective of these groups as part of the interview process.

“If we can improve access to employment opportunities and outcomes by incorporating new approaches that prioritize diversity, we will move closer to sustaining a system that levels the playing field for everyone,” Greenwood said. “While this is an important step, I look forward to continuing fighting for diversity, fairness and employment equity for Illinoisans.”