Springfield, IL (WAND) – A bill on Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk could strengthen the state’s civil rights protections amid federal rollbacks.

This plan codifies the use of disparate impact standards within the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Sponsors said the change will create stronger protections than the federal minimum by safeguarding people from discrimination in employment, housing, education, financial credit and public housing.

“An employer can review a disparate impact claim by showing that it has challenged the criteria or method is job-related and consistent with necessity,” said Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Waukegan). “The burden then shifts to the complainant to show that the business necessity could be served in a different way with less discriminatory effects.”

Democrats argue civil rights should not depend on who occupies the White House.

Senate Bill 3777 passed out of the Senate on a 41-14 vote. It received a 72-38 vote in the House.