Sen. Laura Fine

Filed: 4/17/2023

 

 


 

 


 
10300HB3135sam001LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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,

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 2 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 3 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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.

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 4 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 5 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 6 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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.

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 7 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 8 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 9 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 10 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 11 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 12 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 13 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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)

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 14 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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 by serving or other appropriate court of competent
10jurisdiction and shall mail a copy of the complaint on the
11chief legal counsel of to the Department within 21 days from
12the and the respondent on the same date that the complaint is
13filed with the appropriate circuit court. This 21-day period
14for service on the chief legal counsel shall not be construed
15to be jurisdictional. Once a complainant has opted out of the
16investigation under this subsection, the complainant he or she
17may not file or refile a substantially similar charge with the
18Department arising from the same incident of unlawful
19discrimination or harassment.
20    (D) Report.
21        (1) Each charge investigated under subsection (C)
22    shall be the subject of a report to the Director. The
23    report shall be a confidential document subject to review
24    by the Director, authorized Department employees, the
25    parties, and, where indicated by this Act, members of the
26    Commission or their designated hearing officers.

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 15 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 16 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 17 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1    request that the Department file the complaint, the
2    complainant may file the complainant's his or her
3    complaint with the Commission or commence a civil action
4    in the appropriate circuit court. If the complainant files
5    a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, the
6    complainant shall notify the Department that a complaint
7    has been filed by serving a copy of the complaint on the
8    chief legal counsel of the Department within 21 days from
9    the date that the complaint is filed give notice to the
10    Department of the filing of the complaint with the Human
11    Rights Commission. This 21-day period for service on the
12    chief legal counsel shall not be construed to be
13    jurisdictional.
14    (E) Conciliation.
15         (1) When there is a finding of substantial evidence,
16    the Department may designate a Department employee who is
17    an attorney licensed to practice in Illinois to endeavor
18    to eliminate the effect of the alleged civil rights
19    violation and to prevent its repetition by means of
20    conference and conciliation.
21        (2) When the Department determines that a formal
22    conciliation conference is necessary, the complainant and
23    respondent shall be notified of the time and place of the
24    conference by registered or certified mail at least 10
25    days prior thereto and either or both parties shall appear
26    at the conference in person or by attorney.

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 18 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1        (3) The place fixed for the conference shall be within
2    35 miles of the place where the civil rights violation is
3    alleged to have been committed.
4        (4) Nothing occurring at the conference shall be
5    disclosed by the Department unless the complainant and
6    respondent agree in writing that such disclosure be made.
7        (5) The Department's efforts to conciliate the matter
8    shall not stay or extend the time for filing the complaint
9    with the Commission or the circuit court.
10    (F) Complaint.
11        (1) When the complainant requests that the Department
12    file a complaint with the Commission on the complainant's
13    his or her behalf, the Department shall prepare a written
14    complaint, under oath or affirmation, stating the nature
15    of the civil rights violation substantially as alleged in
16    the charge previously filed and the relief sought on
17    behalf of the aggrieved party. The Department shall file
18    the complaint with the Commission.
19        (1.5) If the complainant chooses to file a complaint
20    with the Commission without the Department's assistance,
21    the complainant shall notify the Department that a
22    complaint has been filed by serving a copy of the
23    complaint on the chief legal counsel of the Department
24    within 21 days from the date that the complaint is filed
25    with the Human Rights Commission. This 21-day period for
26    service on the chief legal counsel shall not be construed

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 19 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 20 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

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

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 21 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1    violation. Any final order entered by the Commission under
2    this Section is appealable in accordance with paragraph
3    (B)(1) of Section 8-111. Failure to immediately cease an
4    investigation and dismiss the charge of civil rights
5    violation as provided in this paragraph (3) constitutes
6    grounds for entry of an order by the circuit court
7    permanently enjoining the investigation. The Department
8    may also be liable for any costs and other damages
9    incurred by the respondent as a result of the action of the
10    Department.
11        (4) (Blank).
12    (H) Public Act 89-370 applies to causes of action filed on
13or after January 1, 1996.
14    (I) Public Act 89-520 applies to causes of action filed on
15or 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 Public Act 96-876
20apply to charges filed on or after the effective date of those
21changes.
22    (L) The changes made to this Section by Public Act
23100-1066 apply to charges filed on or after August 24, 2018
24(the effective date of Public Act 100-1066).
25(Source: P.A. 101-221, eff. 1-1-20; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)
 

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 22 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1    (775 ILCS 5/7A-104)  (from Ch. 68, par. 7A-104)
2    Sec. 7A-104. Judicial Proceedings.
3    (A) Temporary Relief.
4        (1) At any time after a charge is filed, the
5    Department or complainant may petition the appropriate
6    court for temporary relief, pending final determination of
7    the proceedings under this Act, including an order or
8    judgment restraining the respondent from doing or causing
9    any act which would render ineffectual an order which the
10    Commission may enter with respect to the complainant.
11    Whether it is brought by the Department or by the
12    complainant, the petition shall contain a certification by
13    the Director that the particular matter warrants presents
14    exceptional circumstances in which irreparable injury will
15    result from a civil rights violation in the absence of
16    temporary relief. The filing of a petition under this
17    paragraph does not affect the initiation or continuation
18    of administrative proceedings under Sections 7A-102 and
19    8A-102.
20        (2) The petition shall be filed in the circuit court
21    for the county in which the respondent resides or
22    transacts business or in which the alleged violation took
23    place, and the proceedings shall be governed by Part I of
24    Article XI of the "Code of Civil Procedure", as amended.
25    The Except as provided in subsection (A) (3), the court
26    may grant temporary relief or a temporary restraining

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 23 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1    order as it deems just and proper.
2        (3) (Blank). When the petition is based upon a civil
3    rights violation as defined in Article 3 of this Act, the
4    relief or restraining order entered by the court shall not
5    exceed 5 days unless:
6            (a) A longer period is agreed to by the
7        respondent; or
8            (b) The court finds that there is substantial
9        evidence to demonstrate that the respondent has
10        engaged in unlawful discrimination.
11    (B) Expedited Proceedings.
12        (1) A complainant or the Department at the request of
13    the complainant may at any time petition the circuit court
14    for expedited proceedings. Except as to causes the circuit
15    court considers to be of greater importance, consideration
16    of petitions for expedited proceedings under this
17    subsection shall take precedence on the docket over all
18    other causes and be assigned for hearing at the earliest
19    practicable date and expedited in every way.
20        (2) Venue for a petition filed under this subsection
21    shall lie in the county where the respondent resides or is
22    found or where the alleged violation was committed.
23        (3) Any petition filed by the complainant shall name
24    the Department, Commission and the respondent. Any
25    petition filed by the Department, upon request of the
26    complainant, shall name the Commission and the respondent.

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 24 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1        (4) If the circuit court determines that the
2    complainant is likely to die before the termination of the
3    proceedings under this Act, it may order the proceedings
4    expedited. When an order for expedited proceedings is
5    issued, the processing of the complainant's charge by the
6    Department and Commission shall take precedence over all
7    matters except older matters of the same character. Where
8    such order is issued, the Department, the Commission, any
9    panel of the Commission, or any Commission hearing officer
10    shall be authorized to shorten any time period, other than
11    the filing period set by Section 7A-102(A)(1). If such an
12    order is issued and the complainant is before the
13    Department, the Department shall immediately appoint an
14    investigator if an investigator has not been appointed and
15    shall in 90 days either file a complaint or order that no
16    complaint be issued. If the Department fails to make a
17    determination within 90 days the complainant shall have 30
18    days to file a his complaint with the Commission.
19    (C) 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. 101-661, eff. 4-2-21.)
 
24    (775 ILCS 5/7B-104)  (from Ch. 68, par. 7B-104)
25    Sec. 7B-104. Judicial Proceedings. (A) Temporary Relief.

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 25 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1(1) At any time after a charge is filed, the Department or
2aggrieved party may petition the appropriate court for
3temporary relief, pending final determination of the
4proceedings under this Act, including an order or judgment
5restraining the respondent from doing or causing any act which
6would render ineffectual an order which the Commission may
7enter with respect to the aggrieved party. Whether it is
8brought by the Department or by the aggrieved party, the
9petition shall contain a certification by the Director that
10the particular matter warrants presents exceptional
11circumstances in which irreparable injury will result from a
12civil rights violation in the absence of temporary relief. The
13filing of a petition under this paragraph does not affect the
14initiation or continuation of administrative proceedings under
15Sections 7B-102 and 8B-102 Section 7A-102 and Section 8A-102
16of this Act.
17    (2) The petition shall be filed in the circuit court for
18the county in which the respondent resides or transacts
19business or in which the alleged violation took place, and the
20proceedings shall be governed by Part 1 of Article XI of the
21"Code of Civil Procedure", as amended. The Except as provided
22in subsection (A) (3), the court may grant temporary relief or
23a temporary restraining order as it deems just and proper.
24    (3) (Blank). When the petition is based upon a civil
25rights violation as defined in Article 3 of this Act, the
26duration of the relief or restraining order entered by the

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 26 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1court shall not exceed 5 days unless:
2    (a) A longer period is agreed to by the respondent; or
3    (b) The court finds that there is substantial evidence to
4demonstrate that the respondent has engaged in unlawful
5discrimination.
6    (B) 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. 86-910.)
 
11    (775 ILCS 5/8-103)  (from Ch. 68, par. 8-103)
12    Sec. 8-103. Request for review.
13    (A) Jurisdiction. The Commission, through a panel of 3
14three members, shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine
15requests for review of (1) decisions of the Department to
16dismiss a charge; and (2) notices of default issued by the
17Department.
18    In each instance, the Department shall be the respondent.
19The respondent on the charge, in the case of dismissal, or the
20complainant, in the case of default, may file a response to the
21request for review.
22    (B) Review. When a request for review is properly filed,
23the Commission may consider the Department's report, any
24argument and supplemental evidence timely submitted, and the
25results of any additional investigation conducted by the

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 27 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1Department in response to the request. In its discretion, the
2Commission may designate a hearing officer to conduct a
3hearing into the factual basis of the matter at issue. Within
4120 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
5100th General Assembly, the Commission shall adopt rules of
6minimum standards for the contents of responses to requests
7for review, including, but not limited to, proposed statements
8of uncontested facts and proposed statements of the legal
9issues.
10    (C) Default Order. When a respondent fails to file a
11timely request for review of a notice of default, or the
12default is sustained on review, the Commission shall enter a
13default order and notify the parties that the complainant has
14the right to either commence a civil action in the appropriate
15circuit court to determine the complainant's damages or
16request that the Commission set a hearing on damages before
17one of its hearing officers. The complainant shall have 90
18days after receipt of the Commission's default order to either
19commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court or
20request that the Commission set a hearing on damages.
21    (D) Time Period Toll. Proceedings on requests for review
22shall toll the time limitation established in paragraph (G) of
23Section 7A-102 from the date on which the Department's notice
24of dismissal or default is issued until 30 days after to the
25date on which the Commission's order is served on the chief
26legal counsel of the Department entered.

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 28 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1    (E) The changes made to this Section by Public Act 95-243
2apply to charges or complaints filed with the Department or
3Commission on or after the effective date of those changes.
4    (F) The changes made to this Section by this amendatory
5Act of the 96th General Assembly apply to charges or
6complaints filed with the Department or Commission on or after
7the effective date of those changes.
8    (G) The changes made to this Section by this amendatory
9Act of the 100th General Assembly apply to charges filed or
10pending with the Department or Commission on or after the
11effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General
12Assembly.
13(Source: P.A. 100-1066, eff. 8-24-18.)
 
14    (775 ILCS 5/8A-102)  (from Ch. 68, par. 8A-102)
15    Sec. 8A-102. Hearing on Complaint.
16    (A) Services. Within five days after a complaint is filed
17by the Department, or the aggrieved party, as the case may be,
18the Commission shall cause it to be served on the respondent
19together with a notice of hearing before a hearing officer of
20the Commission at a place therein fixed.
21    (B) Time and Location of Hearing. An initial hearing date
22shall be scheduled for not less than 30 thirty nor more than 90
23ninety days after service of the complaint at a place that is
24within 100 one hundred miles of the place at which the civil
25rights violation is alleged to have occurred. The hearing

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 29 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1officer may, for good cause shown, extend the date of the
2hearing.
3    (B-5) Intervention by the Department.
4        (1) After the filing of a complaint under Article 2,
5    4, 5, 5A, or 6, the Department may petition and shall be
6    permitted to intervene as a party in the proceeding if the
7    Commission determines that:
8            (i) the Department has an interest different from
9        one or more of the parties;
10            (ii) the expertise of the Department makes it
11        better suited to articulate a particular point of
12        view; or
13            (iii) the representation of the Department's
14        interest by existing parties is or may be inadequate
15        and the Department will or may be bound by an order or
16        judgment in the action.
17        (2) The Department, as an intervenor, shall have all
18    of the rights of an original party subject to the order of
19    the administrative law judge.
20        (3) Upon such intervention, the Commission may award
21    such relief as is authorized to be granted to a
22    complainant under Section 8A-104.
23    (C) Amendment.
24        (1) A complaint may be amended under oath by leave of
25    the presiding hearing officer, for good cause shown, upon
26    timely written motion and reasonable notice to all

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 30 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1    interested parties at any time prior to the issuance of a
2    recommended order pursuant to Section 8A-102(I) or
3    8B-102(J). The amended complaint shall be served upon all
4    parties of record and the Department of Human Rights by
5    the complainant, or by the Department if it prepared and
6    filed the amended complaint, within 7 days of the date of
7    the order permitting its filing or such additional time as
8    the hearing officer may order. Amendments to the complaint
9    may encompass any unlawful discrimination which is like or
10    reasonably related to the charge and growing out of the
11    allegations in such charge, including, but not limited to,
12    allegations of retaliation.
13        (2) A motion that the complaint be amended to conform
14    to the evidence, made prior to the close of the public
15    hearing, may be addressed orally on the record to the
16    hearing officer, and shall be granted for good and
17    sufficient cause.
18    (D) Answer.
19        (1) The respondent shall file an answer under oath or
20    affirmation to the original or amended complaint within 30
21    days of the date of service thereof, but the hearing
22    officer may, for good cause shown, grant further time for
23    the filing of an answer.
24        (2) When the respondent files a motion to dismiss the
25    complaint within 30 days and the motion is denied by the
26    hearing officer, the time for filing the answer shall be

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 31 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1    within 15 days of the date of denial of the motion.
2        (3) Any allegation in the complaint which is not
3    denied or admitted in the answer is deemed admitted unless
4    the respondent states in the answer that the respondent he
5    is without sufficient knowledge or information to form a
6    belief with respect to such allegation.
7        (4) The failure to file an answer is deemed to
8    constitute an admission of the allegations contained in
9    the complaint.
10        (5) The respondent has the right to amend the
11    respondent's his answer, upon leave of the hearing
12    officer, for good cause shown.
13    (E) Proceedings In Forma Pauperis.
14        (1) If the hearing officer is satisfied that the
15    complainant or respondent is a poor person, and unable to
16    prosecute or defend the complaint and pay the costs and
17    expenses thereof, the hearing officer may permit the party
18    to commence and prosecute or defend the action as a poor
19    person. Such party shall have all the necessary subpoenas,
20    appearances, and proceedings without prepayment of witness
21    fees or charges. Witnesses shall attend as in other cases
22    under this Act and the same remedies shall be available
23    for failure or refusal to obey the subpoena as are
24    provided for in Section 8-104 of this Act.
25        (2) A person desiring to proceed without payment of
26    fees or charges shall file with the hearing officer an

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 32 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1    affidavit stating that the person he is a poor person and
2    unable to pay costs, and that the action is meritorious.
3    (F) Discovery. The procedure for obtaining discovery of
4information from parties and witnesses shall be specified by
5the Commission in rules. If no rule has been promulgated by the
6Commission on a particular type of discovery, the Code of
7Civil Procedure may be considered persuasive authority. The
8types of discovery shall be the same as in civil cases in the
9circuit courts of this State, provided, however, that a party
10may take discovery depositions only upon leave of the hearing
11officer and for good cause shown.
12    (G) Hearing.
13        (1) Both the complainant and the respondent may appear
14    at the hearing and examine and cross-examine witnesses.
15        (2) The testimony taken at the hearing shall be under
16    oath or affirmation and a transcript shall be made and
17    filed in the office of the Commission.
18        (3) The testimony taken at the hearing is subject to
19    the same rules of evidence that apply in courts of this
20    State in civil cases.
21    (H) Compelling Appearance of Parties at Hearing. The
22appearance at the hearing of a party or a person who at the
23time of the hearing is an officer, director, or employee of a
24party may be required by serving the party with a notice
25designating the person who is required to appear. The notice
26also may require the production at the hearing of documents or

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 33 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1tangible things. If the party or person is a nonresident of the
2county, the hearing officer may order any terms and conditions
3in connection with the party's or person's his appearance at
4the hearing that are just, including payment of the party's or
5person's his reasonable expenses. Upon a failure to comply
6with the notice, the hearing officer may enter any order that
7is just.
8    (I) Decision.
9        (1) When all the testimony has been taken, the hearing
10    officer shall determine whether the respondent has engaged
11    in or is engaging in the civil rights violation with
12    respect to the person aggrieved as charged in the
13    complaint. A determination sustaining a complaint shall be
14    based upon a preponderance of the evidence.
15        (2) The hearing officer shall make findings of fact in
16    writing and, if the finding is against the respondent,
17    shall issue and cause to be served on the parties and the
18    Department a recommended order for appropriate relief as
19    provided by this Act.
20        (3) If, upon all the evidence, the hearing officer
21    finds that a respondent has not engaged in the
22    discriminatory practice charged in the complaint or that a
23    preponderance of the evidence does not sustain the
24    complaint, the hearing officer he shall state the hearing
25    officer's his findings of fact and shall issue and cause
26    to be served on the parties and the Department a

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 34 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1    recommended order dismissing the complaint.
2        (4) The findings and recommended order of the hearing
3    officer shall be filed with the Commission. The findings
4    and recommended order may be authored by a hearing officer
5    other than the hearing officer who presides at the public
6    hearing if:
7            (a) the hearing officer who presides at the public
8        hearing is unable to author the findings and
9        recommended order by reason of death, disability, or
10        separation from employment; and
11            (b) all parties to a complaint file a joint motion
12        agreeing to have the findings and recommended order
13        written by a hearing officer who did not preside at the
14        public hearing.
15        (5) A recommended order dismissing a complaint may
16    include an award of reasonable attorneys fees in favor of
17    the respondent against the complainant or the
18    complainant's attorney, or both, if the hearing officer
19    concludes that the complaint was frivolous, unreasonable
20    or groundless or that the complainant continued to
21    litigate after it became clearly so.
22        (6) The hearing officer may issue a recommended order
23    of dismissal with prejudice or a recommended order of
24    default as a sanction for the failure of a party to
25    prosecute the party's his or her case, file a required
26    pleading, appear at a hearing, or otherwise comply with

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 35 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1    this Act, the rules of the Commission, or a previous order
2    of the hearing officer.
3(Source: P.A. 92-472, eff. 1-1-02.)
 
4    (775 ILCS 5/10-101)  (from Ch. 68, par. 10-101)
5    Sec. 10-101. Applicability. With the exception of Sections
6Section 10-104 and 10-105, this Article shall apply solely to
7civil actions arising under Article 3 of this Act.
8(Source: P.A. 93-1017, eff. 8-24-04.)
 
9    (775 ILCS 5/10-102)  (from Ch. 68, par. 10-102)
10    Sec. 10-102. Court Actions.
11    (A) Circuit Court Actions.
12        (1) An aggrieved party may commence a civil action in
13    an appropriate Circuit Court not later than 2 years after
14    the occurrence or the termination of an alleged civil
15    rights violation or the breach of a conciliation or
16    settlement agreement entered into under this Act,
17    whichever occurs last, to obtain appropriate relief with
18    respect to the alleged civil rights violation or breach.
19    The plaintiff or defendant may demand trial by jury for
20    civil actions brought under this subsection. Venue for
21    such civil action shall be determined under Section
22    8-111(A)(1).
23        (2) The computation of such 2-year period shall not
24    include any time during which an administrative proceeding

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 36 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1    under this Act was pending with respect to a complaint or
2    charge under this Act based upon the alleged civil rights
3    violation. This paragraph does not apply to actions
4    arising from a breach of a conciliation or settlement
5    agreement.
6        (3) An aggrieved party may commence a civil action
7    under this subsection whether or not a charge has been
8    filed under Section 7B-102 and without regard to the
9    status of any such charge, however, if the Department or
10    local agency has obtained a conciliation or settlement
11    agreement with the consent of an aggrieved party, no
12    action may be filed under this subsection by such
13    aggrieved party with respect to the alleged civil rights
14    violation practice which forms the basis for such
15    complaint except for the purpose of enforcing the terms of
16    such conciliation or settlement agreement.
17        (4) An aggrieved party shall not commence a civil
18    action under this subsection with respect to an alleged
19    civil rights violation which forms the basis of a
20    complaint issued by the Department if a hearing officer
21    has commenced a hearing on the record under Article 3 of
22    this Act with respect to such complaint.
23    (B) Appointment of Attorney by Court. Upon application by
24a person alleging a civil rights violation or a person against
25whom the civil rights violation is alleged, if in the opinion
26of the court such person is financially unable to bear the

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 37 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1costs of such action, the court may:
2        (1) appoint an attorney for such person, any attorney
3    so appointed may petition for an award of attorneys fees
4    pursuant to subsection (C)(2) of this Section; or
5        (2) authorize the commencement or continuation of a
6    civil action under subsection (A) without the payment of
7    fees, costs, or security.
8    (C) Relief which may be granted.
9        (1) In a civil action under subsection (A) if the
10    court finds that a civil rights violation has occurred or
11    is about to occur, the court may award to the plaintiff
12    actual and punitive damages, and may grant as relief, as
13    the court deems appropriate, any permanent or preliminary
14    injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order,
15    including an order enjoining the defendant from engaging
16    in such civil rights violation or ordering such
17    affirmative action as may be appropriate.
18        (2) In a civil action under subsection (A), the court,
19    in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party, other
20    than the State of Illinois, reasonable attorneys fees and
21    costs. The State of Illinois shall be liable for such fees
22    and costs to the same extent as a private person.
23    (D) Intervention by the Attorney General By The
24Department. If the Department certifies that the case is of
25general public importance, the The Attorney General of
26Illinois may seek to intervene on behalf of the Department in a

 

 

10300HB3135sam001- 38 -LRB103 27775 LNS 60352 a

1civil action filed by a complainant in State or federal court
2under this Section if the Department certifies that the case
3is of general public importance. Upon such intervention, the
4court may award any of the remedies set forth in Section 8B-104
5and subsection (B) of Section 10-104 such relief as is
6authorized to be granted to a plaintiff in a civil action under
7Section 10-102(C).
8(Source: P.A. 101-661, eff. 4-2-21; 102-706, eff. 4-22-22.)
 
9    (775 ILCS 5/10-105 new)
10    Sec. 10-105. Intervention by the Attorney General. If the
11Department certifies that the case is of general public
12importance, the Attorney General may seek to intervene on
13behalf of the Department in a civil action filed by a
14complainant in State or federal court under Section 7A-102.
15Upon such intervention, the court or jury may award any of the
16remedies set forth in Section 8A-104 and subsection (B) of
17Section 10-104.".