Rep. Ann M. Williams

Filed: 3/1/2023

 

 


 

 


 
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1
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 3135

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 3135 by replacing
3everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4    "Section 5. The Illinois Human Rights Act is amended by
5changing Sections 7-101, 7A-102, 7A-104, 7B-104, 8-103,
68A-102, 10-101, and 10-102 and by adding Section 10-105 as
7follows:
 
8    (775 ILCS 5/7-101)  (from Ch. 68, par. 7-101)
9    Sec. 7-101. Powers and Duties. In addition to other powers
10and duties prescribed in this Act, the Department shall have
11the following powers:
12    (A) Rules and Regulations. To adopt, promulgate, amend,
13and rescind rules and regulations not inconsistent with the
14provisions of this Act pursuant to the Illinois Administrative
15Procedure Act.
16    (B) Charges. To issue, receive, investigate, conciliate,

 

 

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1settle, and dismiss charges filed in conformity with this Act.
2    (C) Compulsory Process. To request subpoenas as it deems
3necessary for its investigations.
4    (D) Complaints. To file complaints with the Commission in
5conformity with this Act and to intervene in complaints
6pending before the Commission filed under Article 2, 4, 5, 5A,
7or 6.
8    (E) Judicial Enforcement. To seek temporary relief and to
9enforce orders of the Commission in conformity with this Act.
10    (F) Equal Employment Opportunities. To take such action as
11may be authorized to provide for equal employment
12opportunities and affirmative action.
13    (G) Recruitment; Research; Public Communication; Advisory
14Councils. To engage in such recruitment, research and public
15communication and create such advisory councils as may be
16authorized to effectuate the purposes of this Act.
17    (H) Coordination with other Agencies. To coordinate its
18activities with federal, state, and local agencies in
19conformity with this Act.
20    (I) Grants; Private Gifts.
21        (1) To accept public grants and private gifts as may
22    be authorized.
23        (2) To design grant programs and award grants to
24    eligible recipients.
25    (J) Education and Training. To implement a formal and
26unbiased program of education and training for all employees

 

 

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1assigned to investigate and conciliate charges under Articles
27A and 7B. The training program shall include the following:
3        (1) substantive and procedural aspects of the
4    investigation and conciliation positions;
5        (2) current issues in human rights law and practice;
6        (3) lectures by specialists in substantive areas
7    related to human rights matters;
8        (4) orientation to each operational unit of the
9    Department and Commission;
10        (5) observation of experienced Department
11    investigators and attorneys conducting conciliation
12    conferences, combined with the opportunity to discuss
13    evidence presented and rulings made;
14        (6) the use of hypothetical cases requiring the
15    Department investigator and conciliation conference
16    attorney to issue judgments as a means to evaluating
17    knowledge and writing ability;
18        (7) writing skills;
19        (8) computer skills, including but not limited to word
20    processing and document management.
21    A formal, unbiased and ongoing professional development
22program including, but not limited to, the above-noted areas
23shall be implemented to keep Department investigators and
24attorneys informed of recent developments and issues and to
25assist them in maintaining and enhancing their professional
26competence.

 

 

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1(Source: P.A. 102-1115, eff. 1-9-23.)
 
2    (775 ILCS 5/7A-102)  (from Ch. 68, par. 7A-102)
3    Sec. 7A-102. Procedures.
4    (A) Charge.
5        (1) Within 300 calendar days after the date that a
6    civil rights violation allegedly has been committed, a
7    charge in writing under oath or affirmation may be filed
8    with the Department by an aggrieved party or issued by the
9    Department itself under the signature of the Director.
10        (2) The charge shall be in such detail as to
11    substantially apprise any party properly concerned as to
12    the time, place, and facts surrounding the alleged civil
13    rights violation.
14        (3) Charges deemed filed with the Department pursuant
15    to subsection (A-1) of this Section shall be deemed to be
16    in compliance with this subsection.
17    (A-1) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Charges.
18        (1) If a charge is filed with the Equal Employment
19    Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 300 calendar days
20    after the date of the alleged civil rights violation, the
21    charge shall be deemed filed with the Department on the
22    date filed with the EEOC. If the EEOC is the governmental
23    agency designated to investigate the charge first, the
24    Department shall take no action until the EEOC makes a
25    determination on the charge and after the complainant

 

 

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1    notifies the Department of the EEOC's determination. In
2    such cases, after receiving notice from the EEOC that a
3    charge was filed, the Department shall notify the parties
4    that (i) a charge has been received by the EEOC and has
5    been sent to the Department for dual filing purposes; (ii)
6    the EEOC is the governmental agency responsible for
7    investigating the charge and that the investigation shall
8    be conducted pursuant to the rules and procedures adopted
9    by the EEOC; (iii) it will take no action on the charge
10    until the EEOC issues its determination; (iv) the
11    complainant must submit a copy of the EEOC's determination
12    within 30 days after service of the determination by the
13    EEOC on the complainant; and (v) that the time period to
14    investigate the charge contained in subsection (G) of this
15    Section is tolled from the date on which the charge is
16    filed with the EEOC until the EEOC issues its
17    determination.
18        (2) If the EEOC finds reasonable cause to believe that
19    there has been a violation of federal law and if the
20    Department is timely notified of the EEOC's findings by
21    the complainant, the Department shall notify the
22    complainant that the Department has adopted the EEOC's
23    determination of reasonable cause and that the complainant
24    has the right, within 90 days after receipt of the
25    Department's notice, to either file the complainant's his
26    or her own complaint with the Illinois Human Rights

 

 

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

 

 

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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 the
5        complainant, within 10 business days after the
6        expiration of the 35-day period, that the decision of
7        the EEOC has been adopted by the Department as a
8        dismissal for lack of substantial evidence and that
9        the complainant has the right, within 90 days after
10        receipt of the Department's notice, to commence a
11        civil action in the appropriate circuit court or other
12        appropriate court of competent jurisdiction. The
13        Department's notice to the complainant that the
14        Department has adopted the EEOC's determination shall
15        constitute the Department's report for purposes of
16        subparagraph (D) of this Section.
17            (b) If the complainant does file a written request
18        with the Department to review the EEOC's
19        determination, the Department shall review the EEOC's
20        determination and any evidence obtained by the EEOC
21        during its investigation. If, after reviewing the
22        EEOC's determination and any evidence obtained by the
23        EEOC, the Department determines there is no need for
24        further investigation of the charge, the Department
25        shall issue a report and the Director shall determine
26        whether there is substantial evidence that the alleged

 

 

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

 

 

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1    its determination.
2        (6) The failure of the Department to meet the
3    10-business-day notification deadlines set out in
4    paragraph (2) of this subsection shall not impair the
5    rights of any party.
6    (B) Notice and Response to Charge. The Department shall,
7within 10 days of the date on which the charge was filed, serve
8a copy of the charge on the respondent and provide all parties
9with a notice of the complainant's right to opt out of the
10investigation within 60 days as set forth in subsection (C-1).
11This period shall not be construed to be jurisdictional. The
12charging party and the respondent may each file a position
13statement and other materials with the Department regarding
14the charge of alleged discrimination within 60 days of receipt
15of the notice of the charge. The position statements and other
16materials filed shall remain confidential unless otherwise
17agreed to by the party providing the information and shall not
18be served on or made available to the other party during the
19pendency of a charge with the Department. The Department may
20require the respondent to file a response to the allegations
21contained in the charge. Upon the Department's request, the
22respondent shall file a response to the charge within 60 days
23and shall serve a copy of its response on the complainant or
24the complainant's his or her representative. Notwithstanding
25any request from the Department, the respondent may elect to
26file a response to the charge within 60 days of receipt of

 

 

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1notice of the charge, provided the respondent serves a copy of
2its response on the complainant or the complainant's his or
3her representative. All allegations contained in the charge
4not denied by the respondent within 60 days of the
5Department's request for a response may be deemed admitted,
6unless the respondent states that it is without sufficient
7information to form a belief with respect to such allegation.
8The Department may issue a notice of default directed to any
9respondent who fails to file a response to a charge within 60
10days of receipt of the Department's request, unless the
11respondent can demonstrate good cause as to why such notice
12should not issue. The term "good cause" shall be defined by
13rule promulgated by the Department. Within 30 days of receipt
14of the respondent's response, the complainant may file a reply
15to said response and shall serve a copy of said reply on the
16respondent or the respondent's his or her representative. A
17party shall have the right to supplement the party's his or her
18response or reply at any time that the investigation of the
19charge is pending. The Department shall, within 10 days of the
20date on which the charge was filed, and again no later than 335
21days thereafter, send by certified or registered mail, or
22electronic mail if elected by the party, written notice to the
23complainant and to the respondent informing the complainant of
24the complainant's rights to either file a complaint with the
25Human Rights Commission or commence a civil action in the
26appropriate circuit court under subparagraph (2) of paragraph

 

 

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1(G), including in such notice the dates within which the
2complainant may exercise these rights. In the notice the
3Department shall notify the complainant that the charge of
4civil rights violation will be dismissed with prejudice and
5with no right to further proceed if a written complaint is not
6timely filed with the Commission or with the appropriate
7circuit court by the complainant pursuant to subparagraph (2)
8of paragraph (G) or by the Department pursuant to subparagraph
9(1) of paragraph (G).
10    (B-1) Mediation. The complainant and respondent may agree
11to voluntarily submit the charge to mediation without waiving
12any rights that are otherwise available to either party
13pursuant to this Act and without incurring any obligation to
14accept the result of the mediation process. Nothing occurring
15in mediation shall be disclosed by the Department or
16admissible in evidence in any subsequent proceeding unless the
17complainant and the respondent agree in writing that such
18disclosure be made.
19    (C) Investigation.
20        (1) The Department shall conduct an investigation
21    sufficient to determine whether the allegations set forth
22    in the charge are supported by substantial evidence unless
23    the complainant elects to opt out of an investigation
24    pursuant to subsection (C-1).
25        (2) The Director or the Director's his or her
26    designated representatives shall have authority to request

 

 

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1    any member of the Commission to issue subpoenas to compel
2    the attendance of a witness or the production for
3    examination of any books, records or documents whatsoever.
4        (3) If any witness whose testimony is required for any
5    investigation resides outside the State, or through
6    illness or any other good cause as determined by the
7    Director is unable to be interviewed by the investigator
8    or appear at a fact finding conference, the witness' his
9    or her testimony or deposition may be taken, within or
10    without the State, in the same manner as is provided for in
11    the taking of depositions in civil cases in circuit
12    courts.
13        (4) Upon reasonable notice to the complainant and the
14    respondent, the Department shall conduct a fact finding
15    conference, unless prior to 365 days after the date on
16    which the charge was filed the Director has determined
17    whether there is substantial evidence that the alleged
18    civil rights violation has been committed, the charge has
19    been dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, or the parties
20    voluntarily and in writing agree to waive the fact finding
21    conference. Any party's failure to attend the conference
22    without good cause shall result in dismissal or default.
23    The term "good cause" shall be defined by rule promulgated
24    by the Department. A notice of dismissal or default shall
25    be issued by the Director. The notice of default issued by
26    the Director shall notify the respondent that a request

 

 

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1    for review may be filed in writing with the Commission
2    within 30 days of receipt of notice of default. The notice
3    of dismissal issued by the Director shall give the
4    complainant notice of the complainant's his or her right
5    to seek review of the dismissal before the Human Rights
6    Commission or commence a civil action in the appropriate
7    circuit court. If the complainant chooses to have the
8    Human Rights Commission review the dismissal order, the
9    complainant he or she shall file a request for review with
10    the Commission within 90 days after receipt of the
11    Director's notice. If the complainant chooses to file a
12    request for review with the Commission, the complainant he
13    or she may not later commence a civil action in a circuit
14    court. If the complainant chooses to commence a civil
15    action in a circuit court, the complainant he or she must
16    do so within 90 days after receipt of the Director's
17    notice.
18    (C-1) Opt out of Department's investigation. At any time
19within 60 days after receipt of notice of the right to opt out,
20a complainant may submit a written request seeking notice from
21the Director indicating that the complainant has opted out of
22the investigation and may commence a civil action in the
23appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of
24competent jurisdiction. Within 10 business days of receipt of
25the complainant's request to opt out of the investigation, the
26Director shall issue a notice to the parties stating that: (i)

 

 

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1the complainant has exercised the right to opt out of the
2investigation; (ii) the complainant has 90 days after receipt
3of the Director's notice to commence an action in the
4appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of
5competent jurisdiction; and (iii) the Department has ceased
6its investigation and is administratively closing the charge.
7The complainant shall notify the Department and the respondent
8that a complaint has been filed with the appropriate circuit
9court or other appropriate court of competent jurisdiction and
10shall mail a copy of the complaint to the Department and the
11respondent on the same date that the complaint is filed with
12the appropriate court. Once a complainant has opted out of the
13investigation under this subsection, the complainant he or she
14may not file or refile a substantially similar charge with the
15Department arising from the same incident of unlawful
16discrimination or harassment.
17    (D) Report.
18        (1) Each charge investigated under subsection (C)
19    shall be the subject of a report to the Director. The
20    report shall be a confidential document subject to review
21    by the Director, authorized Department employees, the
22    parties, and, where indicated by this Act, members of the
23    Commission or their designated hearing officers.
24        (2) Upon review of the report, the Director shall
25    determine whether there is substantial evidence that the
26    alleged civil rights violation has been committed. The

 

 

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1    determination of substantial evidence is limited to
2    determining the need for further consideration of the
3    charge pursuant to this Act and includes, but is not
4    limited to, findings of fact and conclusions, as well as
5    the reasons for the determinations on all material issues.
6    Substantial evidence is evidence which a reasonable mind
7    accepts as sufficient to support a particular conclusion
8    and which consists of more than a mere scintilla but may be
9    somewhat less than a preponderance.
10        (3) If the Director determines that there is no
11    substantial evidence, the charge shall be dismissed by
12    order of the Director and the Director shall give the
13    complainant notice of the complainant's his or her right
14    to seek review of the notice of dismissal order before the
15    Commission or commence a civil action in the appropriate
16    circuit court. If the complainant chooses to have the
17    Human Rights Commission review the notice of dismissal
18    order, the complainant he or she shall file a request for
19    review with the Commission within 90 days after receipt of
20    the Director's notice. If the complainant chooses to file
21    a request for review with the Commission, the complainant
22    he or she may not later commence a civil action in a
23    circuit court. If the complainant chooses to commence a
24    civil action in a circuit court, the complainant he or she
25    must do so within 90 days after receipt of the Director's
26    notice. 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 on
3    the same date that the complaint is filed in circuit
4    court.
5        (4) If the Director determines that there is
6    substantial evidence, the Director he or she shall notify
7    the complainant and respondent of that determination. The
8    Director shall also notify the parties that the
9    complainant has the right to either commence a civil
10    action in the appropriate circuit court or request that
11    the Department of Human Rights file a complaint with the
12    Human Rights Commission on the complainant's his or her
13    behalf. Any such complaint shall be filed within 90 days
14    after receipt of the Director's notice. If the complainant
15    chooses to have the Department file a complaint with the
16    Human Rights Commission on the complainant's his or her
17    behalf, the complainant must, within 30 days after receipt
18    of the Director's notice, request in writing that the
19    Department file the complaint. If the complainant timely
20    requests that the Department file the complaint, the
21    Department shall file the complaint on the complainant's
22    his or her behalf. If the complainant fails to timely
23    request that the Department file the complaint, the
24    complainant may file the complainant's his or her
25    complaint with the Commission or commence a civil action
26    in the appropriate circuit court. If the complainant files

 

 

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1    a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, the
2    complainant shall notify the Department that a complaint
3    has been filed by serving a copy of the complaint on the
4    chief legal counsel of the Department on the same date
5    that the complaint is filed give notice to the Department
6    of the filing of the complaint with the Human Rights
7    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
12    to eliminate the effect of the alleged civil rights
13    violation and to prevent its repetition by means of
14    conference and 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
19    days prior thereto and either or both parties shall appear
20    at 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.

 

 

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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 the complainant's
7    his or her behalf, the Department shall prepare a written
8    complaint, under oath or affirmation, stating the nature
9    of the civil rights violation substantially as alleged in
10    the charge previously filed and the relief sought on
11    behalf of the aggrieved party. The Department shall file
12    the complaint with the Commission.
13        (1.5) If the complainant chooses to file a complaint
14    with the Commission without the Department's assistance,
15    the complainant shall give notice to the Department that a
16    complaint has been filed by serving a copy of the
17    complaint on the chief legal counsel of the Department on
18    the same date that the complaint is filed with the
19    Commission.
20        (2) If the complainant chooses to commence a civil
21    action in a circuit court:
22            (i) The complainant shall file the civil action ,
23        he or she must do so in the circuit court in the county
24        wherein the civil rights violation was allegedly
25        committed.
26            (ii) The form of the complaint in any such civil

 

 

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1        action shall be in accordance with the Code of Civil
2        Procedure.
3            (iii) The complainant shall notify the Department
4        that a complaint has been filed by serving a copy of
5        the complaint on the chief legal counsel of the
6        Department on the same date that the complaint is
7        filed in circuit court.
8    (G) Time Limit.
9        (1) When a charge of a civil rights violation has been
10    properly filed, the Department, within 365 days thereof or
11    within any extension of that period agreed to in writing
12    by all parties, shall issue its report as required by
13    subparagraph (D). Any such report shall be duly served
14    upon both the complainant and the respondent.
15        (2) If the Department has not issued its report within
16    365 days after the charge is filed, or any such longer
17    period agreed to in writing by all the parties, the
18    complainant shall have 90 days to either file the
19    complainant's his or her own complaint with the Human
20    Rights Commission or commence a civil action in the
21    appropriate circuit court. If the complainant files a
22    complaint with the Commission, the form of the complaint
23    shall be in accordance with the provisions of paragraph
24    (F)(1). If the complainant commences a civil action in a
25    circuit court, the form of the complaint shall be in
26    accordance with the Code of Civil Procedure. The aggrieved

 

 

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1    party shall notify the Department that a complaint has
2    been filed and shall serve a copy of the complaint on the
3    chief legal counsel of the Department on the same date
4    that the complaint is filed with the Commission or in
5    circuit court. If the complainant files a complaint with
6    the Commission, the complainant he or she may not later
7    commence a civil action in circuit court.
8        (3) If an aggrieved party files a complaint with the
9    Human Rights Commission or commences a civil action in
10    circuit court pursuant to paragraph (2) of this
11    subsection, or if the time period for filing a complaint
12    has expired, the Department shall immediately cease its
13    investigation and dismiss the charge of civil rights
14    violation. Any final order entered by the Commission under
15    this Section is appealable in accordance with paragraph
16    (B)(1) of Section 8-111. Failure to immediately cease an
17    investigation and dismiss the charge of civil rights
18    violation as provided in this paragraph (3) constitutes
19    grounds for entry of an order by the circuit court
20    permanently enjoining the investigation. The Department
21    may also be liable for any costs and other damages
22    incurred by the respondent as a result of the action of the
23    Department.
24        (4) (Blank).
25    (H) Public Act 89-370 applies to causes of action filed on
26or after January 1, 1996.

 

 

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1    (I) Public Act 89-520 applies to causes of action filed on
2or after January 1, 1996.
3    (J) The changes made to this Section by Public Act 95-243
4apply to charges filed on or after the effective date of those
5changes.
6    (K) The changes made to this Section by Public Act 96-876
7apply to charges filed on or after the effective date of those
8changes.
9    (L) The changes made to this Section by Public Act
10100-1066 apply to charges filed on or after August 24, 2018
11(the effective date of Public Act 100-1066).
12(Source: P.A. 101-221, eff. 1-1-20; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)
 
13    (775 ILCS 5/7A-104)  (from Ch. 68, par. 7A-104)
14    Sec. 7A-104. Judicial Proceedings.
15    (A) Temporary Relief.
16        (1) At any time after a charge is filed, the
17    Department or complainant may petition the appropriate
18    court for temporary relief, pending final determination of
19    the proceedings under this Act, including an order or
20    judgment restraining the respondent from doing or causing
21    any act which would render ineffectual an order which the
22    Commission may enter with respect to the complainant.
23    Whether it is brought by the Department or by the
24    complainant, the petition shall contain a certification by
25    the Director that the particular matter warrants presents

 

 

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1    exceptional circumstances in which irreparable injury will
2    result from a civil rights violation in the absence of
3    temporary relief. The filing of a petition under this
4    paragraph does not affect the initiation or continuation
5    of administrative proceedings under Sections 7A-102 and
6    8A-102.
7        (2) The petition shall be filed in the circuit court
8    for the county in which the respondent resides or
9    transacts business or in which the alleged violation took
10    place, and the proceedings shall be governed by Part I of
11    Article XI of the "Code of Civil Procedure", as amended.
12    The Except as provided in subsection (A) (3), the court
13    may grant temporary relief or a temporary restraining
14    order as it deems just and proper.
15        (3) (Blank). When the petition is based upon a civil
16    rights violation as defined in Article 3 of this Act, the
17    relief or restraining order entered by the court shall not
18    exceed 5 days unless:
19            (a) A longer period is agreed to by the
20        respondent; or
21            (b) The court finds that there is substantial
22        evidence to demonstrate that the respondent has
23        engaged in unlawful discrimination.
24    (B) Expedited Proceedings.
25        (1) A complainant or the Department at the request of
26    the complainant may at any time petition the circuit court

 

 

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1    for expedited proceedings. Except as to causes the circuit
2    court considers to be of greater importance, consideration
3    of petitions for expedited proceedings under this
4    subsection shall take precedence on the docket over all
5    other causes and be assigned for hearing at the earliest
6    practicable date and expedited in every way.
7        (2) Venue for a petition filed under this subsection
8    shall lie in the county where the respondent resides or is
9    found or where the alleged violation was committed.
10        (3) Any petition filed by the complainant shall name
11    the Department, Commission and the respondent. Any
12    petition filed by the Department, upon request of the
13    complainant, shall name the Commission and the respondent.
14        (4) If the circuit court determines that the
15    complainant is likely to die before the termination of the
16    proceedings under this Act, it may order the proceedings
17    expedited. When an order for expedited proceedings is
18    issued, the processing of the complainant's charge by the
19    Department and Commission shall take precedence over all
20    matters except older matters of the same character. Where
21    such order is issued, the Department, the Commission, any
22    panel of the Commission, or any Commission hearing officer
23    shall be authorized to shorten any time period, other than
24    the filing period set by Section 7A-102(A)(1). If such an
25    order is issued and the complainant is before the
26    Department, the Department shall immediately appoint an

 

 

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1    investigator if an investigator has not been appointed and
2    shall in 90 days either file a complaint or order that no
3    complaint be issued. If the Department fails to make a
4    determination within 90 days the complainant shall have 30
5    days to file a his complaint with the Commission.
6    (C) Enforcement of Commission Orders. When authorized by
7this Act, the Department, at the request of the Commission,
8may take whatever action may be authorized for the enforcement
9of Commission orders.
10(Source: P.A. 101-661, eff. 4-2-21.)
 
11    (775 ILCS 5/7B-104)  (from Ch. 68, par. 7B-104)
12    Sec. 7B-104. Judicial Proceedings. (A) Temporary Relief.
13(1) At any time after a charge is filed, the Department or
14aggrieved party may petition the appropriate court for
15temporary relief, pending final determination of the
16proceedings under this Act, including an order or judgment
17restraining the respondent from doing or causing any act which
18would render ineffectual an order which the Commission may
19enter with respect to the aggrieved party. Whether it is
20brought by the Department or by the aggrieved party, the
21petition shall contain a certification by the Director that
22the particular matter warrants presents exceptional
23circumstances in which irreparable injury will result from a
24civil rights violation in the absence of temporary relief. The
25filing of a petition under this paragraph does not affect the

 

 

10300HB3135ham001- 25 -LRB103 27775 LNS 57962 a

1initiation or continuation of administrative proceedings under
2Sections 7B-102 and 8B-102 Section 7A-102 and Section 8A-102
3of this Act.
4    (2) The petition shall be filed in the circuit court for
5the county in which the respondent resides or transacts
6business or in which the alleged violation took place, and the
7proceedings shall be governed by Part 1 of Article XI of the
8"Code of Civil Procedure", as amended. The Except as provided
9in subsection (A) (3), the court may grant temporary relief or
10a temporary restraining order as it deems just and proper.
11    (3) (Blank). When the petition is based upon a civil
12rights violation as defined in Article 3 of this Act, the
13duration of the relief or restraining order entered by the
14court shall not exceed 5 days unless:
15    (a) A longer period is agreed to by the respondent; or
16    (b) The court finds that there is substantial evidence to
17demonstrate that the respondent has engaged in unlawful
18discrimination.
19    (B) Enforcement of Commission Orders. When authorized by
20this Act, the Department, at the request of the Commission,
21may take whatever action may be authorized for the enforcement
22of Commission orders.
23(Source: P.A. 86-910.)
 
24    (775 ILCS 5/8-103)  (from Ch. 68, par. 8-103)
25    Sec. 8-103. Request for review.

 

 

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1    (A) Jurisdiction. The Commission, through a panel of 3
2three members, shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine
3requests for review of (1) decisions of the Department to
4dismiss a charge; and (2) notices of default issued by the
5Department.
6    In each instance, the Department shall be the respondent.
7The respondent on the charge, in the case of dismissal, or the
8complainant, in the case of default, may file a response to the
9request for review.
10    (B) Review. When a request for review is properly filed,
11the Commission may consider the Department's report, any
12argument and supplemental evidence timely submitted, and the
13results of any additional investigation conducted by the
14Department in response to the request. In its discretion, the
15Commission may designate a hearing officer to conduct a
16hearing into the factual basis of the matter at issue. Within
17120 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
18100th General Assembly, the Commission shall adopt rules of
19minimum standards for the contents of responses to requests
20for review, including, but not limited to, proposed statements
21of uncontested facts and proposed statements of the legal
22issues.
23    (C) Default Order. When a respondent fails to file a
24timely request for review of a notice of default, or the
25default is sustained on review, the Commission shall enter a
26default order and notify the parties that the complainant has

 

 

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1the right to either commence a civil action in the appropriate
2circuit court to determine the complainant's damages or
3request that the Commission set a hearing on damages before
4one of its hearing officers. The complainant shall have 90
5days after receipt of the Commission's default order to either
6commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court or
7request that the Commission set a hearing on damages.
8    (D) Time Period Toll. Proceedings on requests for review
9shall toll the time limitation established in paragraph (G) of
10Section 7A-102 from the date on which the Department's notice
11of dismissal or default is issued until 30 days after to the
12date on which the Commission's order is served on the chief
13legal counsel of the Department entered.
14    (E) The changes made to this Section by Public Act 95-243
15apply to charges or complaints filed with the Department or
16Commission on or after the effective date of those changes.
17    (F) The changes made to this Section by this amendatory
18Act of the 96th General Assembly apply to charges or
19complaints filed with the Department or Commission on or after
20the effective date of those changes.
21    (G) The changes made to this Section by this amendatory
22Act of the 100th General Assembly apply to charges filed or
23pending with the Department or Commission on or after the
24effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General
25Assembly.
26(Source: P.A. 100-1066, eff. 8-24-18.)
 

 

 

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1    (775 ILCS 5/8A-102)  (from Ch. 68, par. 8A-102)
2    Sec. 8A-102. Hearing on Complaint.
3    (A) Services. Within five days after a complaint is filed
4by the Department, or the aggrieved party, as the case may be,
5the Commission shall cause it to be served on the respondent
6together with a notice of hearing before a hearing officer of
7the Commission at a place therein fixed.
8    (B) Time and Location of Hearing. An initial hearing date
9shall be scheduled for not less than 30 thirty nor more than 90
10ninety days after service of the complaint at a place that is
11within 100 one hundred miles of the place at which the civil
12rights violation is alleged to have occurred. The hearing
13officer may, for good cause shown, extend the date of the
14hearing.
15    (B-5) Intervention by the Department.
16        (1) After the filing of a complaint under Article 2,
17    4, 5, 5A, or 6, the Department may petition and shall be
18    permitted as a matter of right to intervene as a party in
19    the proceeding if the Commission determines that:
20            (i) the case involves matters of public interest
21        or importance beyond the issues in the case;
22            (ii) the Department has an interest different from
23        one or more of the parties;
24            (iii) the expertise of the Department makes it
25        better suited to articulate a particular point of

 

 

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1        view; or
2            (iv) the representation of the Department's
3        interest by existing parties is or may be inadequate
4        and the Department will or may be bound by an order or
5        judgment in the action.
6        (2) The Department, as an intervenor, shall have all
7    of the rights of an original party subject to the order of
8    the administrative law judge.
9        (3) Upon such intervention, the Commission may award
10    such relief as is authorized to be granted to a
11    complainant under Section 8A-104.
12    (C) Amendment.
13        (1) A complaint may be amended under oath by leave of
14    the presiding hearing officer, for good cause shown, upon
15    timely written motion and reasonable notice to all
16    interested parties at any time prior to the issuance of a
17    recommended order pursuant to Section 8A-102(I) or
18    8B-102(J). The amended complaint shall be served upon all
19    parties of record and the Department of Human Rights by
20    the complainant, or by the Department if it prepared and
21    filed the amended complaint, within 7 days of the date of
22    the order permitting its filing or such additional time as
23    the hearing officer may order. Amendments to the complaint
24    may encompass any unlawful discrimination which is like or
25    reasonably related to the charge and growing out of the
26    allegations in such charge, including, but not limited to,

 

 

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1    allegations of retaliation.
2        (2) A motion that the complaint be amended to conform
3    to the evidence, made prior to the close of the public
4    hearing, may be addressed orally on the record to the
5    hearing officer, and shall be granted for good and
6    sufficient cause.
7    (D) Answer.
8        (1) The respondent shall file an answer under oath or
9    affirmation to the original or amended complaint within 30
10    days of the date of service thereof, but the hearing
11    officer may, for good cause shown, grant further time for
12    the filing of an answer.
13        (2) When the respondent files a motion to dismiss the
14    complaint within 30 days and the motion is denied by the
15    hearing officer, the time for filing the answer shall be
16    within 15 days of the date of denial of the motion.
17        (3) Any allegation in the complaint which is not
18    denied or admitted in the answer is deemed admitted unless
19    the respondent states in the answer that the respondent he
20    is without sufficient knowledge or information to form a
21    belief with respect to such allegation.
22        (4) The failure to file an answer is deemed to
23    constitute an admission of the allegations contained in
24    the complaint.
25        (5) The respondent has the right to amend the
26    respondent's his answer, upon leave of the hearing

 

 

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1    officer, for good cause shown.
2    (E) Proceedings In Forma Pauperis.
3        (1) If the hearing officer is satisfied that the
4    complainant or respondent is a poor person, and unable to
5    prosecute or defend the complaint and pay the costs and
6    expenses thereof, the hearing officer may permit the party
7    to commence and prosecute or defend the action as a poor
8    person. Such party shall have all the necessary subpoenas,
9    appearances, and proceedings without prepayment of witness
10    fees or charges. Witnesses shall attend as in other cases
11    under this Act and the same remedies shall be available
12    for failure or refusal to obey the subpoena as are
13    provided for in Section 8-104 of this Act.
14        (2) A person desiring to proceed without payment of
15    fees or charges shall file with the hearing officer an
16    affidavit stating that the person he is a poor person and
17    unable to pay costs, and that the action is meritorious.
18    (F) Discovery. The procedure for obtaining discovery of
19information from parties and witnesses shall be specified by
20the Commission in rules. If no rule has been promulgated by the
21Commission on a particular type of discovery, the Code of
22Civil Procedure may be considered persuasive authority. The
23types of discovery shall be the same as in civil cases in the
24circuit courts of this State, provided, however, that a party
25may take discovery depositions only upon leave of the hearing
26officer and for good cause shown.

 

 

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1    (G) Hearing.
2        (1) Both the complainant and the respondent may appear
3    at the hearing and examine and cross-examine witnesses.
4        (2) The testimony taken at the hearing shall be under
5    oath or affirmation and a transcript shall be made and
6    filed in the office of the Commission.
7        (3) The testimony taken at the hearing is subject to
8    the same rules of evidence that apply in courts of this
9    State in civil cases.
10    (H) Compelling Appearance of Parties at Hearing. The
11appearance at the hearing of a party or a person who at the
12time of the hearing is an officer, director, or employee of a
13party may be required by serving the party with a notice
14designating the person who is required to appear. The notice
15also may require the production at the hearing of documents or
16tangible things. If the party or person is a nonresident of the
17county, the hearing officer may order any terms and conditions
18in connection with the party's or person's his appearance at
19the hearing that are just, including payment of the party's or
20person's his reasonable expenses. Upon a failure to comply
21with the notice, the hearing officer may enter any order that
22is just.
23    (I) Decision.
24        (1) When all the testimony has been taken, the hearing
25    officer shall determine whether the respondent has engaged
26    in or is engaging in the civil rights violation with

 

 

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1    respect to the person aggrieved as charged in the
2    complaint. A determination sustaining a complaint shall be
3    based upon a preponderance of the evidence.
4        (2) The hearing officer shall make findings of fact in
5    writing and, if the finding is against the respondent,
6    shall issue and cause to be served on the parties and the
7    Department a recommended order for appropriate relief as
8    provided by this Act.
9        (3) If, upon all the evidence, the hearing officer
10    finds that a respondent has not engaged in the
11    discriminatory practice charged in the complaint or that a
12    preponderance of the evidence does not sustain the
13    complaint, the hearing officer he shall state the hearing
14    officer's his findings of fact and shall issue and cause
15    to be served on the parties and the Department a
16    recommended order dismissing the complaint.
17        (4) The findings and recommended order of the hearing
18    officer shall be filed with the Commission. The findings
19    and recommended order may be authored by a hearing officer
20    other than the hearing officer who presides at the public
21    hearing if:
22            (a) the hearing officer who presides at the public
23        hearing is unable to author the findings and
24        recommended order by reason of death, disability, or
25        separation from employment; and
26            (b) all parties to a complaint file a joint motion

 

 

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1        agreeing to have the findings and recommended order
2        written by a hearing officer who did not preside at the
3        public hearing.
4        (5) A recommended order dismissing a complaint may
5    include an award of reasonable attorneys fees in favor of
6    the respondent against the complainant or the
7    complainant's attorney, or both, if the hearing officer
8    concludes that the complaint was frivolous, unreasonable
9    or groundless or that the complainant continued to
10    litigate after it became clearly so.
11        (6) The hearing officer may issue a recommended order
12    of dismissal with prejudice or a recommended order of
13    default as a sanction for the failure of a party to
14    prosecute the party's his or her case, file a required
15    pleading, appear at a hearing, or otherwise comply with
16    this Act, the rules of the Commission, or a previous order
17    of the hearing officer.
18(Source: P.A. 92-472, eff. 1-1-02.)
 
19    (775 ILCS 5/10-101)  (from Ch. 68, par. 10-101)
20    Sec. 10-101. Applicability. With the exception of Sections
21Section 10-104 and 10-105, this Article shall apply solely to
22civil actions arising under Article 3 of this Act.
23(Source: P.A. 93-1017, eff. 8-24-04.)
 
24    (775 ILCS 5/10-102)  (from Ch. 68, par. 10-102)

 

 

10300HB3135ham001- 35 -LRB103 27775 LNS 57962 a

1    Sec. 10-102. Court Actions.
2    (A) Circuit Court Actions.
3        (1) An aggrieved party may commence a civil action in
4    an appropriate Circuit Court not later than 2 years after
5    the occurrence or the termination of an alleged civil
6    rights violation or the breach of a conciliation or
7    settlement agreement entered into under this Act,
8    whichever occurs last, to obtain appropriate relief with
9    respect to the alleged civil rights violation or breach.
10    The plaintiff or defendant may demand trial by jury for
11    civil actions brought under this subsection. Venue for
12    such civil action shall be determined under Section
13    8-111(A)(1).
14        (2) The computation of such 2-year period shall not
15    include any time during which an administrative proceeding
16    under this Act was pending with respect to a complaint or
17    charge under this Act based upon the alleged civil rights
18    violation. This paragraph does not apply to actions
19    arising from a breach of a conciliation or settlement
20    agreement.
21        (3) An aggrieved party may commence a civil action
22    under this subsection whether or not a charge has been
23    filed under Section 7B-102 and without regard to the
24    status of any such charge, however, if the Department or
25    local agency has obtained a conciliation or settlement
26    agreement with the consent of an aggrieved party, no

 

 

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1    action may be filed under this subsection by such
2    aggrieved party with respect to the alleged civil rights
3    violation practice which forms the basis for such
4    complaint except for the purpose of enforcing the terms of
5    such conciliation or settlement agreement.
6        (4) An aggrieved party shall not commence a civil
7    action under this subsection with respect to an alleged
8    civil rights violation which forms the basis of a
9    complaint issued by the Department if a hearing officer
10    has commenced a hearing on the record under Article 3 of
11    this Act with respect to such complaint.
12    (B) Appointment of Attorney by Court. Upon application by
13a person alleging a civil rights violation or a person against
14whom the civil rights violation is alleged, if in the opinion
15of the court such person is financially unable to bear the
16costs of such action, the court may:
17        (1) appoint an attorney for such person, any attorney
18    so appointed may petition for an award of attorneys fees
19    pursuant to subsection (C)(2) of this Section; or
20        (2) authorize the commencement or continuation of a
21    civil action under subsection (A) without the payment of
22    fees, costs, or security.
23    (C) Relief which may be granted.
24        (1) In a civil action under subsection (A) if the
25    court finds that a civil rights violation has occurred or
26    is about to occur, the court may award to the plaintiff

 

 

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1    actual and punitive damages, and may grant as relief, as
2    the court deems appropriate, any permanent or preliminary
3    injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order,
4    including an order enjoining the defendant from engaging
5    in such civil rights violation or ordering such
6    affirmative action as may be appropriate.
7        (2) In a civil action under subsection (A), the court,
8    in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party, other
9    than the State of Illinois, reasonable attorneys fees and
10    costs. The State of Illinois shall be liable for such fees
11    and costs to the same extent as a private person.
12    (D) Intervention by the Attorney General By The
13Department. If the Department certifies that the case is of
14general public importance, the The Attorney General of
15Illinois may seek to intervene on behalf of the Department in a
16civil action filed by a complainant in State or federal court
17under this Section if the Department certifies that the case
18is of general public importance. Upon such intervention, the
19court may award any of the remedies set forth in Section 8B-104
20and subsection (B) of Section 10-104 such relief as is
21authorized to be granted to a plaintiff in a civil action under
22Section 10-102(C).
23(Source: P.A. 101-661, eff. 4-2-21; 102-706, eff. 4-22-22.)
 
24    (775 ILCS 5/10-105 new)
25    Sec. 10-105. Intervention by the Attorney General. If the

 

 

10300HB3135ham001- 38 -LRB103 27775 LNS 57962 a

1Department certifies that the case is of general public
2importance, the Attorney General may seek to intervene on
3behalf of the Department in a civil action filed by a
4complainant in State or federal court under Section 7A-102.
5Upon such intervention, the court or jury may award any of the
6remedies set forth in Section 8A-104 and subsection (B) of
7Section 10-104.".