New Public Acts 

New Public Acts to be added to the Illinois Human Rights Act

• P.A. 97-0222:  For charges filed after January 1, 2012, allows parties to voluntarily waive the fact finding conference.
• P.A. 97-0596:  Effective August 26, 2011, the amendment provides that women affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions shall be treated the same for all employment-related purposes, including receipt of benefits under fringe benefit programs, as other persons not so affected but similar in their ability or inability to work.  Further, the amendment modifies procedures for cases in which both the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission and the Department of Human Rights have jurisdiction and describes how those cases shall be processed and what rights a claimant has under various types of dispositions of the charge, including a request for a Department investigation using the EEOC file.  Additionally, the amendment provides that the time limits under the Act are tolled until the EEOC issues its determination.
• P.A. 96-447:  Effective January 1, 2010, “order of protection status” pursuant to the Domestic Violence act of 1986 or pursuant to a court order in another state, has been added as a basis for unlawful discrimination.
• P.A. 96-0786:  Effective January 1, 2010, all those filing for or renewing an IDHR number will be charged a $75.00 registraion fee.  Such registration will be valid for five years from the date of issuance.
• P.A. 96-548:  Effective January 1, 2010, specifies the circumstances under which the Department may charge for training for non-governmental, for-profit entities, regardless of the number of employees, and not-for-profit entities with more than 50 employees.