Bill that would require Arab Americans be counted in state data progresses to Illinois House vote

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A bill that would ensure those who identify as Middle Eastern or North African are counted in state data progressed Tuesday. The l...

March 9, 2023
2:56 AM

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A bill that would ensure those who identify as Middle Eastern or North African are counted in state data progressed Tuesday. The legislation, House Bill 3768, passed the State Government Administration Committee. It will go to the House floor for a vote, and then the Senate for a final vote. If passed into law, the bill would add a category called Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) to the Uniform Racial Classification Act. Whenever a state agency is required by law to compile or report statistical data using racial or ethnic classification, the amended law says they must use MENA in addition to white, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.

Samah Assad