(a) The State finds that persons from historically and economically disadvantaged groups have been directly and indirectly excluded from opportunity and shared prosperity and that it is in the public policy interest of the State to foster an environment where all people, particularly those equity-focused populations subjected to arbitrary barriers, have the freedom to create their own path to success and self-actualization.
     (b) The State also finds that the freedom and access to opportunities needed to achieve one’s highest potential through a lawful occupation is critically important to the well-being of people in the State, and that the right to pursue a lawful occupation is a fundamental right of all people.

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Illinois Compiled Statutes 20 ILCS 4121/5

  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • State: when applied to different parts of the United States, may be construed to include the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" may be construed to include the said district and territories. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.14

     (c) Therefore, it is in the public policy interest of the State to minimize and remove unnecessary, arbitrary, and ineffective barriers to employment and economic prosperity that disproportionately exclude persons from historically and economically disadvantaged groups.
     (d) The General Assembly finds that occupational licensing procedures and programs can unintentionally erect costly barriers to employment for low-income persons, persons who identify as black, indigenous, and people of color, formerly convicted or incarcerated persons, women, and other historically and economically disadvantaged populations.
     (e) It is in the public policy interest of the State to ensure that costly, unnecessary personal qualification requirements or procedures in current occupational licensing policies are minimized or removed in order to expand equitable access to employment opportunities for persons in historically and economically disadvantaged populations.