House Resolution 117 is a nonbinding resolution that condemns President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts in workplaces. The resolution states that the order undermines workers’ rights, civil rights, pay equity, and workplace safety, and it argues that the federal action would weaken protections against discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. It also criticizes rhetoric associated with the order and related statements as demeaning to working people and to people with diverse backgrounds.
The resolution frames DEIA efforts as important to ensuring equal opportunity, fair pay, and protection from retaliation for workers who discuss compensation or raise concerns about discrimination. It asserts that Illinois should support workplaces where people of all backgrounds can participate and where equal work receives equal pay. The measure does not amend Illinois statutes or create new regulatory requirements; instead, it expresses the House’s position and condemnation of the federal executive order and the comments supporting it.
Because HR0117 is a House resolution, it does not change Illinois law, create enforceable rights, or alter state agency duties. Its practical impact is political and symbolic: it records the Illinois House’s opposition to federal anti-DEIA actions and its support for workplace diversity, anti-discrimination protections, and pay equity. The resolution may be used to signal state policy preferences and to support future legislative or advocacy efforts, but it has no direct statutory effect on employers, schools, or government agencies in Illinois.
The sentiment around the bill appears strongly supportive in the House, with the motion passing 73-0, indicating unanimous approval among those voting. The resolution’s tone is sharply critical of President Trump and his allies, and it reflects a clear pro-DEIA, pro-worker, and anti-discrimination stance. No committee debate is available in the provided materials, but the vote suggests broad agreement at least among participating members.
The main point of contention is the underlying federal executive order on DEIA, which the resolution characterizes as an attack on workers’ rights, equal pay, and civil rights. Supporters of the resolution view DEIA as essential to fairness, workplace safety, and opportunity, while the resolution’s language implies that opponents of DEIA are undermining merit, inclusion, and protections for marginalized workers. The bill also highlights controversy over public statements attributed to Trump and a senior official, especially remarks about white men in leadership and comments blaming a federal aviation tragedy on disability-related hiring, which the resolution condemns as hateful and discriminatory.