SB0245 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 09118 RJF 54212 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
SB0245

Introduced 1/31/2019, by Sen. Ram Villivalam

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Preferred Terminology in Government Documents Act. Provides that all State and local government, statutes, codes, rules, regulations, and other official documents enacted on and after the effective date of this Act are required to use the term "Asian" when referring to persons of Asian descent. Provides that the term "Oriental" is prohibited. Provides that the General Assembly urges all State and local entities to review their statutes, codes, rules, regulations, and other official documents and revise them to omit use of the term "Oriental" when referring to persons of Asian descent. Provides findings.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Preferred Terminology in Government Documents Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that the use of the term "Oriental" when used to refer to persons of Asian descent is outdated and is a pejorative. There is need to make clear that the term "Asian" is preferred terminology, and that this more modern and non-pejorative term must be used to replace outdated terminology.

Section 10. Preferred terminology.

(a) All State and local government, statutes, codes, rules, regulations, and other official documents enacted on and after the effective date of this Act are required to use the term "Asian" when referring to persons of Asian descent. The term "Oriental" is prohibited.

(b) The General Assembly urges all State and local entities to review their statutes, codes, rules, regulations, and other official documents and revise them to omit use of the term "Oriental" when referring to persons of Asian descent.