Where to File Employment Discrimination Claims

The following table provides general guidance. This is not a guarantee of coverage. Certain exceptions and limitations may apply. You may be able to file your claim with more than one agency. Please telephone an agency if you have questions.

Agencies to Contact Chicago Commission on Human Relations Cook County Commission on Human Rights Illinois Department of Human Rights U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Types of Discrimination Covered Race
Color
Religion
Sex (including   sexual   harassment)
National Origin
Ancestry
Age
Marital Status
Disability
Parental Status
Sexual   Orientation
Source of   Income
Military   Discharge   Status
Limited   Retaliation
Gender Identity
Race
Color
Religion
Sex (including   sexual   harassment)
National Origin
Ancestry
Age
Marital Status
Disability
Parental Status
Sexual   Orientation Source of   Income
Military   Discharge   Status
Housing Status Retaliation
Aiding/Abetting
Willful
Interference
Gender Identity
Race
Color
Religion
Sex (including   sexual   harassment)
National Origin
Ancestry
Age
Marital Status
Disability Unfavorable   Military   Discharge
Military Status
Retaliation
Aiding/Abetting
Willful   Interference Coercion
Arrest Record
Citizenship Status
Race
Color
Religion
Sex (including
  sexual
  harassment)
National Origin
Ancestry
Age
Disability
Retaliation
How to report discrimination based on gender identity (suggested) Gender identity covered. Gender identity to be effective 60 days after passage. (Amendment passed 11/19/02, effective 1/20/03) Gender identity and sexual orientation not covered. You must file complaint on basis of disability with proof of gender identity disorder Gender identity and sexual orientation not covered. Transgender excluded from Americans with Disabilities Act. File complaint on basis of sex
Geographic Limitations Violation occurred within the City of Chicago Violation occurred within Cook County Violation occurred within Illinois Violation occurred within U.S. or at U.S. companies located outside U.S.
Time Limitations Must file within 180 days of the alleged violation Must file within 180 days of the alleged violation Must file within 180 days of the alleged violation Must file within 300 days of the alleged violation
Who Can Be Sued

Employers(no minimum number of employees)

Labor Organizations
Employment Agencies
Individuals

Employers (no minimum number of employees)

Labor Organizations
Employment Agencies
Individuals

Employers with at least 15 employees

Employers with at least 1 employee for disability, sexual harassment, public contractors, state and local government units or apprenticeship /training programs

Labor Organizations
Employment Agencies
Individual sexual harassers

Employers with at least 15 employees for Title VII and ADA claims, with at least 20 employees for ADEA, and with at least 1 employee for Equal Pay Act, state and local governments and educational institutions

Labor Organizations Apprenticeship/
Training Programs
Employment Agencies

Kinds of Relief Available

Make whole damages (such as back pay, lost benefits and emotional distress damages)

Punitive Damages

Other Damages (such as interest)

Injunctive Relief (such as reinstatement)

 

Fines to The City

Attorneys Fees for prevailing complainant

Make whole damages (such as back pay, lost benefits and emotional distress damages)

Punitive Damages

Other Damages (such as interest)

Injunctive Relief (such as reinstatement), including emergency relief

Fines to the County

Attorneys Fees for prevailing complainant

Make whole damages (such as back pay, lost benefits and emotional distress damages)

 

Other Damages (such as interest)

Injunctive Relief (such as reinstatement and barring contracts with the State), including emergency relief

Attorneys Fees for prevailing complainant

Make whole damages (such as back pay, lost benefits and reinstatement) Compensatory Damages
Punitive Damages


Injunctive Relief, including emergency relief

 

 


Attorneys Fees for prevailing complainant

Agency Contact Information

Chicago Commission on Human Relations

740 N. Sedgwick,
Third Floor
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 744-4111
(312) 744-1088 (TDD) (312) 744-1081 (FAX)

Cook County Commission on Human Rights

69 W. Washington St. Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 603-1100
(312) 603-1101 (TDD) (312) 603-9988 (FAX)
Illinois Department of Human Rights
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph
Suite 10-100
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-6200
(312) 263-1579 (TDD) (312) 814-1541 (Fax)
U.S. Equal Employment Oppor. Comm'n Chicago District Office

500 W. Madison,
Suite 2800
Chicago, IL 60611-2511
(312) 353-2713; 2714 (312) 353-2421 (TDD) (312) 353-7355 (Fax)
Office Hours Filing Hours:
Monday through Friday
9:00 - 5:00 (2 copies of all filings required)
Intake Hours:
Monday through Friday
9:00 - 5:00

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:30 - 5:00


Intake Hours:

Monday through Friday
8:30 - 5:00

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:30 - 5:00


Intake Hours:

Monday through Thursday
8:30 - 5:00

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:30 - 5:00


Intake Hours:
Monday through Friday 8:30 - 12:00
1:00 - 3:30

Other Forms of Discrimination Covered Housing
Public Accommodations
Credit and Bonding Transactions
Housing
Public Accommodations
Credit Transactions
Housing
Public Accommodations Credit Transactions
Sexual Harassment in Higher Education
 

Table courtesy of the City of Chicago, Commission on Human Relations.
www.cityofchicago.org/humanrelations/