Sen. Mike Simmons

Filed: 3/20/2024

 

 


 

 


 
10300SB3310sam001LRB103 37330 JRC 70993 a

1
AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 3310

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 3310 by replacing
3everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4    "Section 5. The Illinois Human Rights Act is amended by
5changing Section 7A-102 as follows:
 
6    (775 ILCS 5/7A-102)  (from Ch. 68, par. 7A-102)
7    Sec. 7A-102. Procedures.
8    (A) Charge.
9        (1) Within 3 years 300 calendar days after the date
10    that a civil rights violation allegedly has been
11    committed, a charge in writing under oath or affirmation
12    may be filed with the Department by an aggrieved party or
13    issued by the Department itself under the signature of the
14    Director.
15        (2) The charge shall be in such detail as to
16    substantially apprise any party properly concerned as to

 

 

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1    the time, place, and facts surrounding the alleged civil
2    rights violation.
3        (3) Charges deemed filed with the Department pursuant
4    to subsection (A-1) of this Section shall be deemed to be
5    in compliance with this subsection.
6    (A-1) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Charges.
7        (1) If a charge is filed with the Equal Employment
8    Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 300 calendar days
9    after the date of the alleged civil rights violation, the
10    charge shall be deemed filed with the Department on the
11    date filed with the EEOC. If the EEOC is the governmental
12    agency designated to investigate the charge first, the
13    Department shall take no action until the EEOC makes a
14    determination on the charge and after the complainant
15    notifies the Department of the EEOC's determination. In
16    such cases, after receiving notice from the EEOC that a
17    charge was filed, the Department shall notify the parties
18    that (i) a charge has been received by the EEOC and has
19    been sent to the Department for dual filing purposes; (ii)
20    the EEOC is the governmental agency responsible for
21    investigating the charge and that the investigation shall
22    be conducted pursuant to the rules and procedures adopted
23    by the EEOC; (iii) it will take no action on the charge
24    until the EEOC issues its determination; (iv) the
25    complainant must submit a copy of the EEOC's determination
26    within 30 days after service of the determination by the

 

 

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1    EEOC on the complainant; and (v) that the time period to
2    investigate the charge contained in subsection (G) of this
3    Section is tolled from the date on which the charge is
4    filed with the EEOC until the EEOC issues its
5    determination.
6        (2) If the EEOC finds reasonable cause to believe that
7    there has been a violation of federal law and if the
8    Department is timely notified of the EEOC's findings by
9    the complainant, the Department shall notify the
10    complainant that the Department has adopted the EEOC's
11    determination of reasonable cause and that the complainant
12    has the right, within 90 days after receipt of the
13    Department's notice, to either file the complainant's own
14    complaint with the Illinois Human Rights Commission or
15    commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court
16    or other appropriate court of competent jurisdiction. This
17    notice shall be provided to the complainant within 10
18    business days after the Department's receipt of the EEOC's
19    determination. The Department's notice to the complainant
20    that the Department has adopted the EEOC's determination
21    of reasonable cause shall constitute the Department's
22    Report for purposes of subparagraph (D) of this Section.
23        (3) For those charges alleging violations within the
24    jurisdiction of both the EEOC and the Department and for
25    which the EEOC either (i) does not issue a determination,
26    but does issue the complainant a notice of a right to sue,

 

 

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1    including when the right to sue is issued at the request of
2    the complainant, or (ii) determines that it is unable to
3    establish that illegal discrimination has occurred and
4    issues the complainant a right to sue notice, and if the
5    Department is timely notified of the EEOC's determination
6    by the complainant, the Department shall notify the
7    parties, within 10 business days after receipt of the
8    EEOC's determination, that the Department will adopt the
9    EEOC's determination as a dismissal for lack of
10    substantial evidence unless the complainant requests in
11    writing within 35 days after receipt of the Department's
12    notice that the Department review the EEOC's
13    determination.
14            (a) If the complainant does not file a written
15        request with the Department to review the EEOC's
16        determination within 35 days after receipt of the
17        Department's notice, the Department shall notify the
18        complainant, within 10 business days after the
19        expiration of the 35-day period, that the decision of
20        the EEOC has been adopted by the Department as a
21        dismissal for lack of substantial evidence and that
22        the complainant has the right, within 90 days after
23        receipt of the Department's notice, to commence a
24        civil action in the appropriate circuit court or other
25        appropriate court of competent jurisdiction. The
26        Department's notice to the complainant that the

 

 

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1        Department has adopted the EEOC's determination shall
2        constitute the Department's report for purposes of
3        subparagraph (D) of this Section.
4            (b) If the complainant does file a written request
5        with the Department to review the EEOC's
6        determination, the Department shall review the EEOC's
7        determination and any evidence obtained by the EEOC
8        during its investigation. If, after reviewing the
9        EEOC's determination and any evidence obtained by the
10        EEOC, the Department determines there is no need for
11        further investigation of the charge, the Department
12        shall issue a report and the Director shall determine
13        whether there is substantial evidence that the alleged
14        civil rights violation has been committed pursuant to
15        subsection (D) of this Section. If, after reviewing
16        the EEOC's determination and any evidence obtained by
17        the EEOC, the Department determines there is a need
18        for further investigation of the charge, the
19        Department may conduct any further investigation it
20        deems necessary. After reviewing the EEOC's
21        determination, the evidence obtained by the EEOC, and
22        any additional investigation conducted by the
23        Department, the Department shall issue a report and
24        the Director shall determine whether there is
25        substantial evidence that the alleged civil rights
26        violation has been committed pursuant to subsection

 

 

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1        (D) of this Section.
2        (4) Pursuant to this Section, if the EEOC dismisses
3    the charge or a portion of the charge of discrimination
4    because, under federal law, the EEOC lacks jurisdiction
5    over the charge, and if, under this Act, the Department
6    has jurisdiction over the charge of discrimination, the
7    Department shall investigate the charge or portion of the
8    charge dismissed by the EEOC for lack of jurisdiction
9    pursuant to subsections (A), (A-1), (B), (B-1), (C), (D),
10    (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), and (K) of this Section.
11        (5) The time limit set out in subsection (G) of this
12    Section is tolled from the date on which the charge is
13    filed with the EEOC to the date on which the EEOC issues
14    its determination.
15        (6) The failure of the Department to meet the
16    10-business-day notification deadlines set out in
17    paragraph (2) of this subsection shall not impair the
18    rights of any party.
19    (B) Notice and Response to Charge. The Department shall,
20within 10 days of the date on which the charge was filed, serve
21a copy of the charge on the respondent and provide all parties
22with a notice of the complainant's right to opt out of the
23investigation within 60 days as set forth in subsection (C-1).
24This period shall not be construed to be jurisdictional. The
25charging party and the respondent may each file a position
26statement and other materials with the Department regarding

 

 

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1the charge of alleged discrimination within 60 days of receipt
2of the notice of the charge. The position statements and other
3materials filed shall remain confidential unless otherwise
4agreed to by the party providing the information and shall not
5be served on or made available to the other party during the
6pendency of a charge with the Department. The Department may
7require the respondent to file a response to the allegations
8contained in the charge. Upon the Department's request, the
9respondent shall file a response to the charge within 60 days
10and shall serve a copy of its response on the complainant or
11the complainant's representative. Notwithstanding any request
12from the Department, the respondent may elect to file a
13response to the charge within 60 days of receipt of notice of
14the charge, provided the respondent serves a copy of its
15response on the complainant or the complainant's
16representative. All allegations contained in the charge not
17denied by the respondent within 60 days of the Department's
18request for a response may be deemed admitted, unless the
19respondent states that it is without sufficient information to
20form a belief with respect to such allegation. The Department
21may issue a notice of default directed to any respondent who
22fails to file a response to a charge within 60 days of receipt
23of the Department's request, unless the respondent can
24demonstrate good cause as to why such notice should not issue.
25The term "good cause" shall be defined by rule promulgated by
26the Department. Within 30 days of receipt of the respondent's

 

 

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1response, the complainant may file a reply to said response
2and shall serve a copy of said reply on the respondent or the
3respondent's representative. A party shall have the right to
4supplement the party's response or reply at any time that the
5investigation of the charge is pending. The Department shall,
6within 10 days of the date on which the charge was filed, and
7again no later than 335 days thereafter, send by certified or
8registered mail, or electronic mail if elected by the party,
9written notice to the complainant and to the respondent
10informing the complainant of the complainant's rights to
11either file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission or
12commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court under
13subparagraph (2) of paragraph (G), including in such notice
14the dates within which the complainant may exercise these
15rights. In the notice the Department shall notify the
16complainant that the charge of civil rights violation will be
17dismissed with prejudice and with no right to further proceed
18if a written complaint is not timely filed with the Commission
19or with the appropriate circuit court by the complainant
20pursuant to subparagraph (2) of paragraph (G) or by the
21Department pursuant to subparagraph (1) of paragraph (G).
22    (B-1) Mediation. The complainant and respondent may agree
23to voluntarily submit the charge to mediation without waiving
24any rights that are otherwise available to either party
25pursuant to this Act and without incurring any obligation to
26accept the result of the mediation process. Nothing occurring

 

 

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1in mediation shall be disclosed by the Department or
2admissible in evidence in any subsequent proceeding unless the
3complainant and the respondent agree in writing that such
4disclosure be made.
5    (C) Investigation.
6        (1) The Department shall conduct an investigation
7    sufficient to determine whether the allegations set forth
8    in the charge are supported by substantial evidence unless
9    the complainant elects to opt out of an investigation
10    pursuant to subsection (C-1).
11        (2) The Director or the Director's designated
12    representatives shall have authority to request any member
13    of the Commission to issue subpoenas to compel the
14    attendance of a witness or the production for examination
15    of any books, records or documents whatsoever.
16        (3) If any witness whose testimony is required for any
17    investigation resides outside the State, or through
18    illness or any other good cause as determined by the
19    Director is unable to be interviewed by the investigator
20    or appear at a fact finding conference, the witness'
21    testimony or deposition may be taken, within or without
22    the State, in the same manner as is provided for in the
23    taking of depositions in civil cases in circuit courts.
24        (4) Upon reasonable notice to the complainant and the
25    respondent, the Department shall conduct a fact finding
26    conference, unless prior to 365 days after the date on

 

 

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1    which the charge was filed the Director has determined
2    whether there is substantial evidence that the alleged
3    civil rights violation has been committed, the charge has
4    been dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, or the parties
5    voluntarily and in writing agree to waive the fact finding
6    conference. Any party's failure to attend the conference
7    without good cause shall result in dismissal or default.
8    The term "good cause" shall be defined by rule promulgated
9    by the Department. A notice of dismissal or default shall
10    be issued by the Director. The notice of default issued by
11    the Director shall notify the respondent that a request
12    for review may be filed in writing with the Commission
13    within 30 days of receipt of notice of default. The notice
14    of dismissal issued by the Director shall give the
15    complainant notice of the complainant's right to seek
16    review of the dismissal before the Human Rights Commission
17    or commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit
18    court. If the complainant chooses to have the Human Rights
19    Commission review the dismissal order, the complainant
20    shall file a request for review with the Commission within
21    90 days after receipt of the Director's notice. If the
22    complainant chooses to file a request for review with the
23    Commission, the complainant may not later commence a civil
24    action in a circuit court. If the complainant chooses to
25    commence a civil action in a circuit court, the
26    complainant must do so within 90 days after receipt of the

 

 

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1    Director's notice.
2    (C-1) Opt out of Department's investigation. At any time
3within 60 days after receipt of notice of the right to opt out,
4a complainant may submit a written request seeking notice from
5the Director indicating that the complainant has opted out of
6the investigation and may commence a civil action in the
7appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of
8competent jurisdiction. Within 10 business days of receipt of
9the complainant's request to opt out of the investigation, the
10Director shall issue a notice to the parties stating that: (i)
11the complainant has exercised the right to opt out of the
12investigation; (ii) the complainant has 90 days after receipt
13of the Director's notice to commence an action in the
14appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of
15competent jurisdiction; and (iii) the Department has ceased
16its investigation and is administratively closing the charge.
17The complainant shall notify the Department that a complaint
18has been filed with the appropriate circuit court by serving a
19copy of the complaint on the chief legal counsel of the
20Department within 21 days from the date that the complaint is
21filed with the appropriate circuit court. This 21-day period
22for service on the chief legal counsel shall not be construed
23to be jurisdictional. Once a complainant has opted out of the
24investigation under this subsection, the complainant may not
25file or refile a substantially similar charge with the
26Department arising from the same incident of unlawful

 

 

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1discrimination or harassment.
2    (D) Report.
3        (1) Each charge investigated under subsection (C)
4    shall be the subject of a report to the Director. The
5    report shall be a confidential document subject to review
6    by the Director, authorized Department employees, the
7    parties, and, where indicated by this Act, members of the
8    Commission or their designated hearing officers.
9        (2) Upon review of the report, the Director shall
10    determine whether there is substantial evidence that the
11    alleged civil rights violation has been committed. The
12    determination of substantial evidence is limited to
13    determining the need for further consideration of the
14    charge pursuant to this Act and includes, but is not
15    limited to, findings of fact and conclusions, as well as
16    the reasons for the determinations on all material issues.
17    Substantial evidence is evidence which a reasonable mind
18    accepts as sufficient to support a particular conclusion
19    and which consists of more than a mere scintilla but may be
20    somewhat less than a preponderance.
21        (3) If the Director determines that there is no
22    substantial evidence, the charge shall be dismissed by the
23    Director and the Director shall give the complainant
24    notice of the complainant's right to seek review of the
25    notice of dismissal before the Commission or commence a
26    civil action in the appropriate circuit court. If the

 

 

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1    complainant chooses to have the Human Rights Commission
2    review the notice of dismissal, the complainant shall file
3    a request for review with the Commission within 90 days
4    after receipt of the Director's notice. If the complainant
5    chooses to file a request for review with the Commission,
6    the complainant may not later commence a civil action in a
7    circuit court. If the complainant chooses to commence a
8    civil action in a circuit court, the complainant must do
9    so within 90 days after receipt of the Director's notice.
10    The complainant shall notify the Department that a
11    complaint has been filed by serving a copy of the
12    complaint on the chief legal counsel of the Department
13    within 21 days from the date that the complaint is filed in
14    circuit court. This 21-day period for service on the chief
15    legal counsel shall not be construed to be jurisdictional.
16        (4) If the Director determines that there is
17    substantial evidence, the Director shall notify the
18    complainant and respondent of that determination. The
19    Director shall also notify the parties that the
20    complainant has the right to either commence a civil
21    action in the appropriate circuit court or request that
22    the Department of Human Rights file a complaint with the
23    Human Rights Commission on the complainant's behalf. Any
24    such complaint shall be filed within 90 days after receipt
25    of the Director's notice. If the complainant chooses to
26    have the Department file a complaint with the Human Rights

 

 

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1    Commission on the complainant's behalf, the complainant
2    must, within 30 days after receipt of the Director's
3    notice, request in writing that the Department file the
4    complaint. If the complainant timely requests that the
5    Department file the complaint, the Department shall file
6    the complaint on the complainant's behalf. If the
7    complainant fails to timely request that the Department
8    file the complaint, the complainant may file the
9    complainant's complaint with the Commission or commence a
10    civil action in the appropriate circuit court. If the
11    complainant files a complaint with the Human Rights
12    Commission, the complainant shall notify the Department
13    that a complaint has been filed by serving a copy of the
14    complaint on the chief legal counsel of the Department
15    within 21 days from the date that the complaint is filed
16    with the Human Rights Commission. This 21-day period for
17    service on the chief legal counsel shall not be construed
18    to be jurisdictional.
19    (E) Conciliation.
20         (1) When there is a finding of substantial evidence,
21    the Department may designate a Department employee who is
22    an attorney licensed to practice in Illinois to endeavor
23    to eliminate the effect of the alleged civil rights
24    violation and to prevent its repetition by means of
25    conference and conciliation.
26        (2) When the Department determines that a formal

 

 

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1    conciliation conference is necessary, the complainant and
2    respondent shall be notified of the time and place of the
3    conference by registered or certified mail at least 10
4    days prior thereto and either or both parties shall appear
5    at the conference in person or by attorney.
6        (3) The place fixed for the conference shall be within
7    35 miles of the place where the civil rights violation is
8    alleged to have been committed.
9        (4) Nothing occurring at the conference shall be
10    disclosed by the Department unless the complainant and
11    respondent agree in writing that such disclosure be made.
12        (5) The Department's efforts to conciliate the matter
13    shall not stay or extend the time for filing the complaint
14    with the Commission or the circuit court.
15    (F) Complaint.
16        (1) When the complainant requests that the Department
17    file a complaint with the Commission on the complainant's
18    behalf, the Department shall prepare a written complaint,
19    under oath or affirmation, stating the nature of the civil
20    rights violation substantially as alleged in the charge
21    previously filed and the relief sought on behalf of the
22    aggrieved party. The Department shall file the complaint
23    with the Commission.
24        (1.5) If the complainant chooses to file a complaint
25    with the Commission without the Department's assistance,
26    the complainant shall notify the Department that a

 

 

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1    complaint has been filed by serving a copy of the
2    complaint on the chief legal counsel of the Department
3    within 21 days from the date that the complaint is filed
4    with the Human Rights Commission. This 21-day period for
5    service on the chief legal counsel shall not be construed
6    to be jurisdictional.
7        (2) If the complainant chooses to commence a civil
8    action in a circuit court:
9            (i) The complainant shall file the civil action in
10        the circuit court in the county wherein the civil
11        rights violation was allegedly committed.
12            (ii) The form of the complaint in any such civil
13        action shall be in accordance with the Code of Civil
14        Procedure.
15            (iii) The complainant shall notify the Department
16        that a complaint has been filed by serving a copy of
17        the complaint on the chief legal counsel of the
18        Department within 21 days from date that the complaint
19        is filed in circuit court. This 21-day period for
20        service on the chief legal counsel shall not be
21        construed to be jurisdictional.
22    (G) Time Limit.
23        (1) When a charge of a civil rights violation has been
24    properly filed, the Department, within 365 days thereof or
25    within any extension of that period agreed to in writing
26    by all parties, shall issue its report as required by

 

 

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1    subparagraph (D). Any such report shall be duly served
2    upon both the complainant and the respondent.
3        (2) If the Department has not issued its report within
4    365 days after the charge is filed, or any such longer
5    period agreed to in writing by all the parties, the
6    complainant shall have 90 days to either file the
7    complainant's own complaint with the Human Rights
8    Commission or commence a civil action in the appropriate
9    circuit court. If the complainant files a complaint with
10    the Commission, the form of the complaint shall be in
11    accordance with the provisions of paragraph (F)(1). If the
12    complainant commences a civil action in a circuit court,
13    the form of the complaint shall be in accordance with the
14    Code of Civil Procedure. The aggrieved party shall notify
15    the Department that a complaint has been filed by serving
16    a copy of the complaint on the chief legal counsel of the
17    Department with 21 days from the date that the complaint
18    is filed with the Commission or in circuit court. This
19    21-day period for service on the chief legal counsel shall
20    not be construed to be jurisdictional. If the complainant
21    files a complaint with the Commission, the complainant may
22    not later commence a civil action in circuit court.
23        (3) If an aggrieved party files a complaint with the
24    Human Rights Commission or commences a civil action in
25    circuit court pursuant to paragraph (2) of this
26    subsection, or if the time period for filing a complaint

 

 

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1    has expired, the Department shall immediately cease its
2    investigation and dismiss the charge of civil rights
3    violation. Any final order entered by the Commission under
4    this Section is appealable in accordance with paragraph
5    (B)(1) of Section 8-111. Failure to immediately cease an
6    investigation and dismiss the charge of civil rights
7    violation as provided in this paragraph (3) constitutes
8    grounds for entry of an order by the circuit court
9    permanently enjoining the investigation. The Department
10    may also be liable for any costs and other damages
11    incurred by the respondent as a result of the action of the
12    Department.
13        (4) (Blank).
14    (H) Public Act 89-370 applies to causes of action filed on
15or after January 1, 1996.
16    (I) Public Act 89-520 applies to causes of action filed on
17or after January 1, 1996.
18    (J) The changes made to this Section by Public Act 95-243
19apply to charges filed on or after the effective date of those
20changes.
21    (K) The changes made to this Section by Public Act 96-876
22apply to charges filed on or after the effective date of those
23changes.
24    (L) The changes made to this Section by Public Act
25100-1066 apply to charges filed on or after August 24, 2018
26(the effective date of Public Act 100-1066).

 

 

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1(Source: P.A. 102-558, eff. 8-20-21; 103-335, eff. 1-1-24.)".