POSITIVE ACTION ACT

Creates the Positive Action Act. Provides that each State agency and employer shall take positive action when it reasonably believes such action is necessary to rectify discrimination or a disadvantage towards persons having a protected characteristic. Allows for favorable consideration in the process of recruitment or promotion for persons having a protected characteristic. Provides that each State agency and employer shall have a duty of equality in relation to employment and its employees. Specifies further requirements concerning the duty of equality. Requires each State agency to perform an internal examination for the existence of eugenics-inspired policies, and issue an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Requires each State agency to take positive action and implement strategies and programs to eliminate and prevent any disparities created by discriminatory administrative rules, policies, and procedures. Provides for the adoption of rules. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to contravene any federal law or requirement regarding affirmative action or its application to State law. Makes conforming changes for the purpose of changing references from "affirmative action" to "positive action". Defines terms. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: New Act 10 ILCS 5/7-14.1 15 ILCS 310/18 15 ILCS 410/18 20 ILCS 30/20 20 ILCS 105/4.01 20 ILCS 405/405-125 was 20 ILCS 405/67.31 20 ILCS 415/8b.3 20 ILCS 620/3 20 ILCS 665/13a 20 ILCS 2310/2310-213 20 ILCS 3990/9 25 ILCS 130/1-2 25 ILCS 130/1-4 30 ILCS 535/80 50 ILCS 615/10 50 ILCS 742/10 55 ILCS 85/3 65 ILCS 5/11-74.4-3 65 ILCS 5/11-74.6-10 65 ILCS 110/10 70 ILCS 210/23.1 70 ILCS 210/26 70 ILCS 810/14 70 ILCS 1505/16a 70 ILCS 2605/11.3 70 ILCS 3205/9 70 ILCS 3210/40 70 ILCS 3615/2.02 70 ILCS 3615/2.14 70 ILCS 3615/3A.05 70 ILCS 3615/3B.05 105 ILCS 5/10-23.5 105 ILCS 5/24-12 110 ILCS 205/9.21 230 ILCS 5/12.1 230 ILCS 5/20 230 ILCS 10/5.1 230 ILCS 10/7 230 ILCS 10/7.11 620 ILCS 65/27 775 ILCS 5/1-101.1 775 ILCS 5/1-102 775 ILCS 5/1-103 775 ILCS 5/2-105 775 ILCS 5/2-106 775 ILCS 5/7-101 775 ILCS 5/7-105 775 ILCS 5/7-105a 775 ILCS 5/10-102 815 ILCS 710/4 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 405/405-101 new 20 ILCS 405/405-123 new 20 ILCS 405/405-124 new 20 ILCS 415/8b.4 from Ch. 127, par. 63b108b.4 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides requirements concerning Positive Action towards addressing systemic racism and barriers to increase workforce diversity in State employment. Requires each State agency to establish the goal of increasing diversity on interview panels in order to increase State employment opportunities provided to women, minority persons, and specified other persons. Provides further requirements concerning State agency interview panel diversity. Requires the Department of Central Management Services to increase State employment career counseling opportunities for individuals who are in arrears on their child support payments. Requires the Department to dedicate staff to consult with individuals and organizations informed on the subject of non-payment of child support to develop plans for the most effective career counseling opportunities for these individuals. Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that candidates who are alleged to have attempted deception or fraud in connection with an examination shall be afforded the opportunity to appeal and provide information to support their appeal which shall be considered when determining their eligibility as a candidate for employment. Makes further changes concerning the jurisdiction of the Department of Central Management Services with respect to selection and tenure on the basis of merit and fitness. Effective January 1, 2022.