Human Rights

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Sexual Harassment in the Workplace. It's Never Okay. 1-877-236-7703

Sexual Harassment & Discrimination Helpline

Employment Discrimination

The Illinois Department of Human Rights investigates charges of Employment discrimination filed against private employers, state or local government, unions and employment agencies. Individuals can also be charges in some cases.

Sexual Harassment in Education

It is normal to feel embarassed and angry by unwanted, unflattering attention or demands. However, you have a right to be free of sexual harassment in an educational institution.

Public Accommodations Discrimination

The Illinois Department of Human Rights investigates charges of Public Accommodations discrimination

Financial Credit Discrimination

All financial institutions doing business in Illinois are prohibited from discriminating in the granting of commercial or personal loans, and credit cards.

Fair Housing

The Illinois Department of Human Rights takes and investigates charges of discrimination involving real estate transactions (rentals, sales, and other transactions) involving residential and commercial real property.

Fairness and Equality Campaign

ALERT on Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Law:

ALERT on Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Law: Public Act 101-0221 amended the Illinois Human Rights Act ("IHRA") requiring: Illinois employers to provide annual sexual harassment prevention training by December 31, 2020 and annually thereafter; restaurants and bars to establish and disseminate a written policy on sexual harassment prevention training and provide "supplemental" sexual harassment prevention training; and the Illinois Department of Human Rights ("IDHR") to develop a model sexual harassment prevention training program for use by employers. Employers may develop their own sexual harassment prevention training program that equals or exceeds the minimum standards for sexual harassment prevention training outlined in Section 2-109(B) and/or Section 2-110(C) of IHRA. For more information, please review our Frequently Asked Questions page on sexual harassment prevention training and associated subpages. Here you will also find informational handouts. IDHR's model sexual harassment prevention training will be available February 2020.

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Welcome to the Department of Human Rights

The Illinois Department of Human Rights administers the Illinois Human Rights Act ("Act"). The "Act" prohibits discrimination in Illinois with respect to employment, financial credit, public accommodations, housing and sexual harassment, as well as sexual harassment in education. A discrimination charge can be initiated by calling, writing or appearing in person at the Department’s Chicago or Springfield office within 300 days of the date the alleged discrimination took place in all cases except housing discrimination (one year filing deadline).

Popular Services

Sexual Harassment & Discrimination Helpline	https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/sexualharassment/Pages/default.aspx	Sexual Harassment & Discrimination Helpline	You have a right to be free of sexual harassment in the work place, housing, educational or business environment. IDHR's sexual harrassment website provides the necessary resources and assistance in the filing of sexual harassment complaints.
Employment Charge of Discrimination	https://www2.illinois.gov/DHR/filingacharge/pages/employment.aspx	Employment Charge of Discrimination	IDHR investigates charges of Employment discrimination filed against private employers, state or local government, unions and employment agencies. Individuals can also be charges in some cases.
Sexual Harassment in Education Charge Information	https://www2.illinois.gov/DHR/filingacharge/pages/education.aspx	Sexual Harassment in Education Charge Information	IDHR takes and investigates charges of Sexual Harassment in Education. Sexual harrassment charges can be filed against an elementary, secondary or higher education institution and/ or institution.