100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB5443

 

Introduced , by Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
775 ILCS 5/7A-102  from Ch. 68, par. 7A-102

    Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Deletes language providing that the Department of Human Rights shall stay any administrative proceedings after the filing of a civil action by or on behalf of the aggrieved party under any federal or State law seeking relief with respect to the alleged civil rights violation.


LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB5443LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1    AN ACT concerning human rights.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
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 180 days after the date that a civil rights
10    violation allegedly has been committed, a charge in writing
11    under oath or affirmation may be filed with the Department
12    by an aggrieved party or issued by the Department itself
13    under the signature of the Director.
14        (2) The charge shall be in such detail as to
15    substantially apprise any party properly concerned as to
16    the time, place, and facts surrounding the alleged civil
17    rights violation.
18        (3) Charges deemed filed with the Department pursuant
19    to subsection (A-1) of this Section shall be deemed to be
20    in compliance with this subsection.
21    (A-1) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Charges.
22        (1) If a charge is filed with the Equal Employment
23    Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 days after the

 

 

HB5443- 2 -LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1    date of the alleged civil rights violation, the charge
2    shall be deemed filed with the Department on the date filed
3    with the EEOC. If the EEOC is the governmental agency
4    designated to investigate the charge first, the Department
5    shall take no action until the EEOC makes a determination
6    on the charge and after the complainant notifies the
7    Department of the EEOC's determination. In such cases,
8    after receiving notice from the EEOC that a charge was
9    filed, the Department shall notify the parties that (i) a
10    charge has been received by the EEOC and has been sent to
11    the Department for dual filing purposes; (ii) the EEOC is
12    the governmental agency responsible for investigating the
13    charge and that the investigation shall be conducted
14    pursuant to the rules and procedures adopted by the EEOC;
15    (iii) it will take no action on the charge until the EEOC
16    issues its determination; (iv) the complainant must submit
17    a copy of the EEOC's determination within 30 days after
18    service of the determination by the EEOC on complainant;
19    and (v) that the time period to investigate the charge
20    contained in subsection (G) of this Section is tolled from
21    the date on which the charge is filed with the EEOC until
22    the EEOC issues its determination.
23        (2) If the EEOC finds reasonable cause to believe that
24    there has been a violation of federal law and if the
25    Department is timely notified of the EEOC's findings by
26    complainant, the Department shall notify complainant that

 

 

HB5443- 3 -LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1    the Department has adopted the EEOC's determination of
2    reasonable cause and that complainant has the right, within
3    90 days after receipt of the Department's notice, to either
4    file his or her own complaint with the Illinois Human
5    Rights Commission or commence a civil action in the
6    appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of
7    competent jurisdiction. The Department's notice to
8    complainant that the Department has adopted the EEOC's
9    determination of reasonable cause shall constitute the
10    Department's Report for purposes of subparagraph (D) of
11    this Section.
12        (3) For those charges alleging violations within the
13    jurisdiction of both the EEOC and the Department and for
14    which the EEOC either (i) does not issue a determination,
15    but does issue the complainant a notice of a right to sue,
16    including when the right to sue is issued at the request of
17    the complainant, or (ii) determines that it is unable to
18    establish that illegal discrimination has occurred and
19    issues the complainant a right to sue notice, and if the
20    Department is timely notified of the EEOC's determination
21    by complainant, the Department shall notify the parties
22    that the Department will adopt the EEOC's determination as
23    a dismissal for lack of substantial evidence unless the
24    complainant requests in writing within 35 days after
25    receipt of the Department's notice that the Department
26    review the EEOC's determination.

 

 

HB5443- 4 -LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1            (a) If the complainant does not file a written
2        request with the Department to review the EEOC's
3        determination within 35 days after receipt of the
4        Department's notice, the Department shall notify
5        complainant that the decision of the EEOC has been
6        adopted by the Department as a dismissal for lack of
7        substantial evidence and that the complainant has the
8        right, within 90 days after receipt of the Department's
9        notice, to commence a civil action in the appropriate
10        circuit court or other appropriate court of competent
11        jurisdiction. The Department's notice to complainant
12        that the Department has adopted the EEOC's
13        determination shall constitute the Department's report
14        for purposes of subparagraph (D) of this Section.
15            (b) If the complainant does file a written request
16        with the Department to review the EEOC's
17        determination, the Department shall review the EEOC's
18        determination and any evidence obtained by the EEOC
19        during its investigation. If, after reviewing the
20        EEOC's determination and any evidence obtained by the
21        EEOC, the Department determines there is no need for
22        further investigation of the charge, the Department
23        shall issue a report and the Director shall determine
24        whether there is substantial evidence that the alleged
25        civil rights violation has been committed pursuant to
26        subsection (D) of Section 7A-102. If, after reviewing

 

 

HB5443- 5 -LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1        the EEOC's determination and any evidence obtained by
2        the EEOC, the Department determines there is a need for
3        further investigation of the charge, the Department
4        may conduct any further investigation it deems
5        necessary. After reviewing the EEOC's determination,
6        the evidence obtained by the EEOC, and any additional
7        investigation conducted by the Department, the
8        Department shall issue a report and the Director shall
9        determine whether there is substantial evidence that
10        the alleged civil rights violation has been committed
11        pursuant to subsection (D) of Section 7A-102 of this
12        Act.
13        (4) Pursuant to this Section, if the EEOC dismisses the
14    charge or a portion of the charge of discrimination
15    because, under federal law, the EEOC lacks jurisdiction
16    over the charge, and if, under this Act, the Department has
17    jurisdiction over the charge of discrimination, the
18    Department shall investigate the charge or portion of the
19    charge dismissed by the EEOC for lack of jurisdiction
20    pursuant to subsections (A), (A-1), (B), (B-1), (C), (D),
21    (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), and (K) of Section 7A-102 of
22    this Act.
23        (5) The time limit set out in subsection (G) of this
24    Section is tolled from the date on which the charge is
25    filed with the EEOC to the date on which the EEOC issues
26    its determination.

 

 

HB5443- 6 -LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1    (B) Notice and Response to Charge. The Department shall,
2within 10 days of the date on which the charge was filed, serve
3a copy of the charge on the respondent. This period shall not
4be construed to be jurisdictional. The charging party and the
5respondent may each file a position statement and other
6materials with the Department regarding the charge of alleged
7discrimination within 60 days of receipt of the notice of the
8charge. The position statements and other materials filed shall
9remain confidential unless otherwise agreed to by the party
10providing the information and shall not be served on or made
11available to the other party during pendency of a charge with
12the Department. The Department may require the respondent to
13file a response to the allegations contained in the charge.
14Upon the Department's request, the respondent shall file a
15response to the charge within 60 days and shall serve a copy of
16its response on the complainant or his or her representative.
17Notwithstanding any request from the Department, the
18respondent may elect to file a response to the charge within 60
19days of receipt of notice of the charge, provided the
20respondent serves a copy of its response on the complainant or
21his or her representative. All allegations contained in the
22charge not denied by the respondent within 60 days of the
23Department's request for a response may be deemed admitted,
24unless the respondent states that it is without sufficient
25information to form a belief with respect to such allegation.
26The Department may issue a notice of default directed to any

 

 

HB5443- 7 -LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1respondent who fails to file a response to a charge within 60
2days of receipt of the Department's request, unless the
3respondent can demonstrate good cause as to why such notice
4should not issue. The term "good cause" shall be defined by
5rule promulgated by the Department. Within 30 days of receipt
6of the respondent's response, the complainant may file a reply
7to said response and shall serve a copy of said reply on the
8respondent or his or her representative. A party shall have the
9right to supplement his or her response or reply at any time
10that the investigation of the charge is pending. The Department
11shall, within 10 days of the date on which the charge was
12filed, and again no later than 335 days thereafter, send by
13certified or registered mail written notice to the complainant
14and to the respondent informing the complainant of the
15complainant's right to either file a complaint with the Human
16Rights Commission or commence a civil action in the appropriate
17circuit court under subparagraph (2) of paragraph (G),
18including in such notice the dates within which the complainant
19may exercise this right. In the notice the Department shall
20notify the complainant that the charge of civil rights
21violation will be dismissed with prejudice and with no right to
22further proceed if a written complaint is not timely filed with
23the Commission or with the appropriate circuit court by the
24complainant pursuant to subparagraph (2) of paragraph (G) or by
25the Department pursuant to subparagraph (1) of paragraph (G).
26    (B-1) Mediation. The complainant and respondent may agree

 

 

HB5443- 8 -LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1to voluntarily submit the charge to mediation without waiving
2any rights that are otherwise available to either party
3pursuant to this Act and without incurring any obligation to
4accept the result of the mediation process. Nothing occurring
5in mediation shall be disclosed by the Department or admissible
6in evidence in any subsequent proceeding unless the complainant
7and the respondent agree in writing that such disclosure be
8made.
9    (C) Investigation.
10        (1) The Department shall conduct an investigation
11    sufficient to determine whether the allegations set forth
12    in the charge are supported by substantial evidence.
13        (2) The Director or his or her designated
14    representatives shall have authority to request any member
15    of the Commission to issue subpoenas to compel the
16    attendance of a witness or the production for examination
17    of any books, records or documents whatsoever.
18        (3) If any witness whose testimony is required for any
19    investigation resides outside the State, or through
20    illness or any other good cause as determined by the
21    Director is unable to be interviewed by the investigator or
22    appear at a fact finding conference, his or her testimony
23    or deposition may be taken, within or without the State, in
24    the same manner as is provided for in the taking of
25    depositions in civil cases in circuit courts.
26        (4) Upon reasonable notice to the complainant and the

 

 

HB5443- 9 -LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1    respondent, the Department shall conduct a fact finding
2    conference, unless prior to 365 days after the date on
3    which the charge was filed the Director has determined
4    whether there is substantial evidence that the alleged
5    civil rights violation has been committed, the charge has
6    been dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, or the parties
7    voluntarily and in writing agree to waive the fact finding
8    conference. Any party's failure to attend the conference
9    without good cause shall result in dismissal or default.
10    The term "good cause" shall be defined by rule promulgated
11    by the Department. A notice of dismissal or default shall
12    be issued by the Director. The notice of default issued by
13    the Director shall notify the respondent that a request for
14    review may be filed in writing with the Commission within
15    30 days of receipt of notice of default. The notice of
16    dismissal issued by the Director shall give the complainant
17    notice of his or her right to seek review of the dismissal
18    before the Human Rights Commission or commence a civil
19    action in the appropriate circuit court. If the complainant
20    chooses to have the Human Rights Commission review the
21    dismissal order, he or she shall file a request for review
22    with the Commission within 90 days after receipt of the
23    Director's notice. If the complainant chooses to file a
24    request for review with the Commission, he or she may not
25    later commence a civil action in a circuit court. If the
26    complainant chooses to commence a civil action in a circuit

 

 

HB5443- 10 -LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1    court, he or she must do so within 90 days after receipt of
2    the Director's notice.
3    (D) Report.
4        (1) Each charge shall be the subject of a report to the
5    Director. The report shall be a confidential document
6    subject to review by the Director, authorized Department
7    employees, the parties, and, where indicated by this Act,
8    members of the Commission or their designated hearing
9    officers.
10        (2) Upon review of the report, the Director shall
11    determine whether there is substantial evidence that the
12    alleged civil rights violation has been committed. The
13    determination of substantial evidence is limited to
14    determining the need for further consideration of the
15    charge pursuant to this Act and includes, but is not
16    limited to, findings of fact and conclusions, as well as
17    the reasons for the determinations on all material issues.
18    Substantial evidence is evidence which a reasonable mind
19    accepts as sufficient to support a particular conclusion
20    and which consists of more than a mere scintilla but may be
21    somewhat less than a preponderance.
22        (3) If the Director determines that there is no
23    substantial evidence, the charge shall be dismissed by
24    order of the Director and the Director shall give the
25    complainant notice of his or her right to seek review of
26    the dismissal order before the Commission or commence a

 

 

HB5443- 11 -LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1    civil action in the appropriate circuit court. If the
2    complainant chooses to have the Human Rights Commission
3    review the dismissal order, he or she shall file a request
4    for review with the Commission within 90 days after receipt
5    of the Director's notice. If the complainant chooses to
6    file a request for review with the Commission, he or she
7    may not later commence a civil action in a circuit court.
8    If the complainant chooses to commence a civil action in a
9    circuit court, he or she must do so within 90 days after
10    receipt of the Director's notice.
11        (4) If the Director determines that there is
12    substantial evidence, he or she shall notify the
13    complainant and respondent of that determination. The
14    Director shall also notify the parties that the complainant
15    has the right to either commence a civil action in the
16    appropriate circuit court or request that the Department of
17    Human Rights file a complaint with the Human Rights
18    Commission on his or her behalf. Any such complaint shall
19    be filed within 90 days after receipt of the Director's
20    notice. If the complainant chooses to have the Department
21    file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on his or
22    her behalf, the complainant must, within 30 days after
23    receipt of the Director's notice, request in writing that
24    the Department file the complaint. If the complainant
25    timely requests that the Department file the complaint, the
26    Department shall file the complaint on his or her behalf.

 

 

HB5443- 12 -LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1    If the complainant fails to timely request that the
2    Department file the complaint, the complainant may file his
3    or her complaint with the Commission or commence a civil
4    action in the appropriate circuit court. If the complainant
5    files a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, the
6    complainant shall give notice to the Department of the
7    filing of the complaint with the Human Rights Commission.
8    (E) Conciliation.
9         (1) When there is a finding of substantial evidence,
10    the Department may designate a Department employee who is
11    an attorney licensed to practice in Illinois to endeavor to
12    eliminate the effect of the alleged civil rights violation
13    and to prevent its repetition by means of conference and
14    conciliation.
15        (2) When the Department determines that a formal
16    conciliation conference is necessary, the complainant and
17    respondent shall be notified of the time and place of the
18    conference by registered or certified mail at least 10 days
19    prior thereto and either or both parties shall appear at
20    the conference in person or by attorney.
21        (3) The place fixed for the conference shall be within
22    35 miles of the place where the civil rights violation is
23    alleged to have been committed.
24        (4) Nothing occurring at the conference shall be
25    disclosed by the Department unless the complainant and
26    respondent agree in writing that such disclosure be made.

 

 

HB5443- 13 -LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1        (5) The Department's efforts to conciliate the matter
2    shall not stay or extend the time for filing the complaint
3    with the Commission or the circuit court.
4    (F) Complaint.
5        (1) When the complainant requests that the Department
6    file a complaint with the Commission on his or her behalf,
7    the Department shall prepare a written complaint, under
8    oath or affirmation, stating the nature of the civil rights
9    violation substantially as alleged in the charge
10    previously filed and the relief sought on behalf of the
11    aggrieved party. The Department shall file the complaint
12    with the Commission.
13        (2) If the complainant chooses to commence a civil
14    action in a circuit court, he or she must do so in the
15    circuit court in the county wherein the civil rights
16    violation was allegedly committed. The form of the
17    complaint in any such civil action shall be in accordance
18    with the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure.
19    (G) Time Limit.
20        (1) When a charge of a civil rights violation has been
21    properly filed, the Department, within 365 days thereof or
22    within any extension of that period agreed to in writing by
23    all parties, shall issue its report as required by
24    subparagraph (D). Any such report shall be duly served upon
25    both the complainant and the respondent.
26        (2) If the Department has not issued its report within

 

 

HB5443- 14 -LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1    365 days after the charge is filed, or any such longer
2    period agreed to in writing by all the parties, the
3    complainant shall have 90 days to either file his or her
4    own complaint with the Human Rights Commission or commence
5    a civil action in the appropriate circuit court. If the
6    complainant files a complaint with the Commission, the form
7    of the complaint shall be in accordance with the provisions
8    of paragraph (F)(1). If the complainant commences a civil
9    action in a circuit court, the form of the complaint shall
10    be in accordance with the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure.
11    The aggrieved party shall notify the Department that a
12    complaint has been filed and shall serve a copy of the
13    complaint on the Department on the same date that the
14    complaint is filed with the Commission or in circuit court.
15    If the complainant files a complaint with the Commission,
16    he or she may not later commence a civil action in circuit
17    court.
18        (3) If an aggrieved party files a complaint with the
19    Human Rights Commission or commences a civil action in
20    circuit court pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection,
21    or if the time period for filing a complaint has expired,
22    the Department shall immediately cease its investigation
23    and dismiss the charge of civil rights violation. Any final
24    order entered by the Commission under this Section is
25    appealable in accordance with paragraph (B)(1) of Section
26    8-111. Failure to immediately cease an investigation and

 

 

HB5443- 15 -LRB100 17298 HEP 32459 b

1    dismiss the charge of civil rights violation as provided in
2    this paragraph (3) constitutes grounds for entry of an
3    order by the circuit court permanently enjoining the
4    investigation. The Department may also be liable for any
5    costs and other damages incurred by the respondent as a
6    result of the action of the Department.
7        (4) (Blank) The Department shall stay any
8    administrative proceedings under this Section after the
9    filing of a civil action by or on behalf of the aggrieved
10    party under any federal or State law seeking relief with
11    respect to the alleged civil rights violation.
12    (H) This amendatory Act of 1995 applies to causes of action
13filed on or after January 1, 1996.
14    (I) This amendatory Act of 1996 applies to causes of action
15filed on or after January 1, 1996.
16    (J) The changes made to this Section by Public Act 95-243
17apply to charges filed on or after the effective date of those
18changes.
19    (K) The changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act
20of the 96th General Assembly apply to charges filed on or after
21the effective date of those changes.
22(Source: P.A. 100-492, eff. 9-8-17.)