CHICAGO, Ill. – With bi-partisan support, State Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, passed legislation through the House chamber that modernizes the way the Department of Human Services collects demographic data about their program participants.

“This important piece of legislation will bring the Illinois Department of Human Services into accordance with federal data recording standards,” said Mah. “It is a good government policy and the data recorded will be available to the public.”

Mah is the chief sponsor of House Bill 3131, which will put uniform standards in place for the racial and ethnic data that the department collects. This change will align the categories used by the Illinois Department of Human Services with those used by the Federal Census Bureau. The bill, which passed the House unanimously, will promote government efficiency, transparency and accountability. The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate. This legislation is Mah’s first bill to pass the out of the House and is an initiative of the Illinois Latino Policy Forum.

“Accurate and inclusive data is essential to ensuring our state agencies are serving the needs of our residents,” said Mah. “This bill will provide better insight into the makeup of participants in the department’s programs and promote equity and efficiency in the distribution of services.”
Mah is serving her first term in the Illinois General Assembly as State Representative of the 2nd District, which includes the Chicago neighborhoods of Pilsen, Chinatown, Bridgeport, McKinley Park, Brighton Park and Back of the Yards.