As of January 1, 2025, Illinois employees gained important new protections under the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA). The law now expressly prohibits employment discrimination based on family responsibilities and reproductive health decisions. These changes matter for a wide range of working people—and in many cases, they address workplace behavior that has long gone unchecked.
“Family responsibilities” are now protected
Illinois law now makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an employee because of their actual or perceived responsibility to care for a family member. This protection is intentionally broad. It can apply to employees who provide care to children, spouses, parents, or