Final answer:
The Illinois Human Rights Act applies to several areas including employment, real estate, finance, and public accommodations and prohibits discrimination based on numerous protected characteristics similar to those covered by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Illinois Human Rights Act is designed to prohibit discrimination in Illinois in several contexts, including employment, real estate transactions, access to financial credit, and the availability of public accommodations. Specifically, it prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status (as defined under the Immigration Reform and Control Act), ancestry, age (40 and over), order of protection status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status, sexual orientation (including gender-related identity), unfavorable discharge from military service, or pregnancy. This act aligns with the principles of human rights as recognized in various international agreements, such as the International Bill of Human Rights which comprises the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), emphasizing that human rights are inalienable and due to all persons. Moreover, it operates similarly to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 at the federal level, which also prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of certain protected characteristics.