Prairie State Wire

House Speaker Chris Welch is hoping to see corporate boards in Illinois do better than the current average of roughly two female directors per board.

“This report marks a pivotal moment for Illinois and the business community to realize our shared goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Welch, who in 2019 sponsored House Bill 3394 requiring companies and corporations based in Illinois to report the racial and gender makeup of their board to the Secretary of State’s office.

While those numbers and those showing female directors comprise nearly 21 percent of the average board’s total membership are aligned with gender equity goals, Welch wants to see more.

“This report illustrates where we need to focus our attention and empower our underrepresented communities,” he said. “As Speaker, I am looking forward to using these findings to guide our next legislative steps to fulfill our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”