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State of Illinois Sexual Harassment

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I am helping a client write a sexual harassment policy for their business in Chicago, IL. I work primarily in Massachusetts and want to provide Illinois specific guidelines. In MA, there is a Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination where an employee can file a complaint if they do not feel the company has effectively handled the problem. Is there a similar organization in Illinois that employees could go to ? I am including the information for federal remedies, and would like to also include this information for the state if available.

Thank you.

The Illinois Human Rights Commission (HRC) enforces the state law against sexual harassment and other types of discrimination. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on sex, age, race, color, religion, arrest record, marital status, sexual orientation, handicap, citizenship, national origin, ancestry, unfavorable military discharge, retaliation and sexual harassment.

The act forbids discrimination in employment, real estate transactions, higher education, public accommodations and access to financial credit. The Human Rights Commission’s  mission is to provide a neutral forum for resolving complaints of discrimination filed under the Illinois Human Rights Act. If an employee reports a problem with sexual harassment or another type of discrimination to the HRC, they will make an impartial determination of whether there has been discrimination under theIllinois law.

The HRC is also responsible for informing the public about the law, and furnishing information to the press. In Chicago, the Human Rights Commission office at the Thompson Center on Randolph Street can be reached at 312-814-6269. The Springfield branch of the HRC is in the Willliam Stratton Office Building, at 217-785-4350. Email for the HRC goes to Keith.Chambers@Illinois.gov .

As you noted, there are also federal laws prohibiting discrimination including sexual harassment. The EEOC or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces those laws nationwide.