Commission on Human Rights Reports & Guidance Documents

Service Information

This page includes reports, guidance documents, and statements released by the Commission on Human Rights.

Reports

    Guidance Documents

      Where To File Complaints

        Agencies to ContactChicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR)Cook County Commission on Human Rights (CCCHR)Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR)U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
        Types of Discrimination CoveredRace 
        Color 
        Religion
        Sex (including sexual harassment) 
        National Origin 
        Ancestry
        Age 
        Disability
        Marital Status 
        Parental Status 
        Sexual Orientation 
        Gender Identity 
        Source of Income 
        Military Status
        Bodily Autonomy

         Retaliation

        Race 
        Color 
        Religion
        Sex (including sexual harassment) 
        National Origin
        Ancestry
        Age 
        Disability
        Marital Status 
        Parental Status 
        Sexual Orientation 
        Gender Identity 
        Source of Income 
        Military Discharge Status
        Criminal History 
        Housing Status
        Bodily Autonomy
        Pregnancy Status
        Ethnicity
        Caste

        Retaliation 
        Aiding/Abetting 
        Willful Interference

        Race 
        Color 
        Religion
        Sex (including sexual harassment) 
        National Origin 
        Ancestry
        Age 
        Disability
        Marital Status 
        Familial Status 
        Sexual Orientation (including gender identity) 
        Pregnancy 
        Unfavorable Military Discharge 
        Order of Protection Status
        Arrest Record
        Source of Income
        Immigration Status

        Retaliation 
        Aiding/Abetting 
        Willful Interference
        Coercion

        Race
        Color
        Religion
        Sex (including sexual harassment)
        Gender
        Gender Identity
        Sexual Orientation
        National Origin
        Disability
        Familial Status

        Retaliation
        Intimidation 
        Coercion
        Interference

        Geographic LimitationsHousing located within the City of ChicagoHousing located within Cook CountyResidential and commercial real estate transactions in IllinoisHousing located within U.S. or U.S. territories
        Time LimitationsMust file within 365 days of the alleged violationMust file within 180 days of the alleged violationMust file within 1 year of the alleged violationMust file within 1 year of the alleged violation
        Who Can Be Sued

        All persons with right to sell, rent, or lease any housing accommodation within Chicago, and their agents

        Lenders under credit transaction provisions

        All persons with right to sell, rent, lease, or sublease any housing unit within Cook County, and their agents or any agent, broker, or other individual working on behalf of any such individual

        Owners, managers, salespersons, real estate brokers, rental agents, or other agents or employees of the owner or the owner's agents

        Builders and appraisers

        Mortgage lenders (banks and loan brokers)

        Any other person engaged in a real estate transaction

        Most residential housing owners (exceptions: owner-occupied builders with no more than four units, single-family house with no broker, some private organizations), sales and rental agents, builders, lenders, and appraisers

        Municipalities Advertisers

        Kinds of Relief Available

        Make whole damages (such as moving expenses, rent differentials and emotional distress damages)

        Punitive damages

        Fines to the City

        Injunctive relief (order to sell/rent)

        Attorney’s fees and costs to prevailing Complainant 

        Make whole damages (such as moving expenses, rent differentials and emotional distress damages)

        Fines to the County

        Injunctive relief, including emergency relief (order to cease eviction or order to sell/rent)

        Attorney’s fees and costs to prevailing Complainant 

        Make whole damages (such as moving expenses, rent differentials and emotional distress damages)

        Fines to the State

        Injunctive relief, including emergency relief (order to cease eviction or order to sell/rent)

        Attorney’s fees and costs to prevailing Complainant 
         

        Make whole damages (such as moving expenses, rent differentials and emotional distress damages)

        Punitive damages
        Fines to Agency

        Injunctive relief, including emergency relief (order to cease eviction or order to sell/rent)

        Attorney’s fees and costs to prevailing Complainant 

        Agency Contact Information

        Chicago Commission on Human Relations
        740 N. Sedgwick St. Ste. 400
        Chicago, IL 60654

        Phone: 312.744.4111
        TTY: 312.744.1088
        Fax: 312.744.1081

        cchrfilings@cityofchicago.org

        Cook County Commission on Human Rights
        69 W. Washington St. Ste. 1130
        Chicago, IL 60602

        Phone: 312.603.1100
        Fax: 312.603.9988

        Human.rights@cookcountyil.gov

        Illinois Department of Human Rights
        555 W. Monroe St. Ste. 700
        Chicago, IL 60661

        Phone: 312.814.6229
        Fax: 312.814.6251

        IDHR.FairHousing@illinois.gov 

        U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
        77 W. Jackson Blvd. Rm. 2101
        Chicago, Illinois 60604

        Phone: 312.913.8453
        Fax: 312.913.8293

        ComplaintsOffice05@hud.gov

        Intake HoursMonday through Friday, except holidays, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PMIntake interviews are by appointment only, please call or email to make an intake appointmentMonday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMMonday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
        Office HoursMonday through Friday, except holidays, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (2 copies of all filings required)Monday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PMMonday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PMMonday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
        Agencies to ContactChicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR)Cook County Commission on Human Rights (CCCHR)Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR)Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
        Types of Discrimination Covered

        Race 
        Color 
        Religion
        Sex (including sexual harassment and pregnancy) 
        National Origin 
        Ancestry
        Age 
        Disability
        Marital Status 
        Parental Status 
        Sexual Orientation 
        Gender Identity 
        Source of Income 
        Military Status
        Criminal History
        Bodily Autonomy

        Retaliation

        Race 
        Color 
        Religion
        Sex (including sexual harassment) 
        National Origin
        Ancestry
        Age 
        Disability
        Marital Status 
        Parental Status 
        Sexual Orientation 
        Gender Identity 
        Source of Income 
        Military Discharge Status
        Criminal History 
        Housing Status
        Bodily Autonomy
        Pregnancy Status
        Ethnicity
        Caste

        Retaliation 
        Aiding/Abetting 
        Willful Interference

        Race 
        Color 
        Religion
        Sex (including sexual harassment) 
        National Origin 
        Ancestry
        Age 
        Disability
        Marital Status 
        Familial Status 
        Sexual Orientation (including gender identity) 
        Pregnancy 
        Unfavorable Military Discharge
        Military Status 
        Citizenship Status
        Arrest Record
        Immigration-Related
        Practices
        Order of Protection Status
        Work Authorization Status
        Language

        Retaliation 
        Aiding/Abetting 
        Willful Interference
        Coercion

        Race
        Color
        Religion
        Sex 
        Sexual Harassment
        Sexual Orientation
        Gender Identity 
        Pregnancy
        National Origin
        Age
        Disability
        Genetic Information
        Equal pay/Compensation
        Pregnancy

        Retaliation
        Intimidation 
        Coercion
        Interference

        Geographic LimitationsViolation occurred within the City of ChicagoViolation occurred within Cook CountyViolation occurred within IllinoisViolation occurred within U.S. or at U.S. company located outside U.S.
        Time LimitationsMust file within 365 days of the alleged violationMust file within 180 days of the alleged violationMust file within 300 days the of alleged violationMust file within 300 days of the alleged violation (or 180 days if state fair employment agency does not cover)
        Who Can Be Sued

        Employers (no minimum number of employees)

        Labor Organizations

        Employment Agencies

        Individuals

        Employers (no minimum number of employees)

        Labor Organizations

        Employment Agencies

        Individuals

        Employers with at least 15 employees in Illinois; or with at least 1 employee for sexual harassment, disability, pregnancy, retaliation, public contractors, state/local gov’t units, apprenticeship & training programs

        Labor Organizations

        Employment Agencies

        Employers with at least 15 employees for Title VII and ADA claims and state and local governments; with at least 20 employees for ADEA; with at least 1 employee for Equal Pay Act, federal government, & educational institutions

        Labor Organizations 

        Kinds of Relief Available

        Make whole damages (such as back pay, lost benefits and emotional distress damages)

        Other Damages (such as interest)

        Punitive Damages

        Injunctive Relief (such as reinstatement)

        Fines to the City

        Attorney’s fees & costs to prevailing Complainant  

        Make whole damages (such as back pay, lost benefits and emotional distress damages)

        Other Damages (such as interest)

        Injunctive Relief (such as reinstatement)

        Fines to the County

        Attorney’s fees & costs to prevailing Complainant 

        Make whole damages (such as back pay, lost benefits and emotional distress damages)

        Other Damages (such as interest)

        Injunctive Relief (such as reinstatement and barring contracts with the State), including emergency relief

        Attorney’s fees & costs to prevailing Complainant 
         

        Make whole damages (such as back pay, lost benefits and reinstatement)

        Compensatory Damages (such as out-of-pocket and emotional harm)

        Punitive Damages

        Injunctive Relief, including emergency relief Attorney’s fees & costs to prevailing Complainant 

        Agency Contact Information

        Chicago Commission on Human Relations
        740 N. Sedgwick St. Ste. 400
        Chicago, IL 60654

        Phone: 312.744.4111
        TTY: 312.744.1088
        Fax: 312.744.1081

        cchrfilings@cityofchicago.org

        Cook County Commission on Human Rights
        69 W. Washington St. Ste. 1130
        Chicago, IL 60602

        Phone: 312.603.1100
        Fax: 312.603.9988

        Human.rights@cookcountyil.gov

        Illinois Department of Human Rights
        555 W. Monroe St. Ste. 700
        Chicago, IL 60661

        Phone: 312.814.6229
        Fax: 312.814.6251

        IDHR.FairHousing@illinois.gov 

        U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 
        Chicago District Office 230 S. Dearborn St. Ste. 1866
        Chicago, IL 60604

        Phone: 312.872.9744 Fax: 312.588.1260

        https://publicportal.eeoc.gov/portal/Login.aspx 

        Intake HoursMonday through Friday, except holidays, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PMIntake interviews are by appointment only, please call or email to make an intake appointmentMonday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMMonday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
        Office HoursMonday through Friday, except holidays, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (2 copies of all filings required)Monday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PMMonday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PMMonday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
        Agencies to ContactChicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR)Cook County Commission on Human Rights (CCCHR)Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR)
        Types of Discrimination CoveredRace 
        Color 
        Religion
        Sex (including sexual harassment) 
        National Origin 
        Ancestry
        Age 
        Disability
        Marital Status 
        Parental Status 
        Sexual Orientation 
        Gender Identity 
        Source of Income 
        Military Status
        Bodily Autonomy

         Retaliation

        Race 
        Color 
        Religion
        Sex (including sexual harassment) 
        National Origin
        Ancestry
        Age 
        Disability
        Marital Status 
        Parental Status 
        Sexual Orientation
        Source of Income 
        Military Discharge Status
        Housing Status
        Gender Identity
        Criminal History
        Bodily Autonomy
        Pregnancy Status
        Ethnicity
        Caste

        Retaliation 
        Aiding/Abetting 
        Willful Interference

        Race 
        Color 
        Religion
        Sex (including sexual harassment) 
        National Origin 
        Ancestry
        Age (40 and over)
        Military Status
        Disability
        Marital Status 
        Order of Protection Status 
        Sexual Orientation (including gender identity) 
        Pregnancy 
        Unfavorable Military Discharge 

        Retaliation 
        Aiding/Abetting 
        Coercion

        Geographic LimitationsViolation occurred within the City of ChicagoViolation occurred within Cook CountyViolation occurred within Illinois
        Time LimitationsMust file within 365 days of the alleged violationMust file within 180 days of the alleged violationMust file within 300 days of the alleged violation
        Who Can Be SuedPlace, business establishment or agency that sells, leases, provides, or offers any product or service to public, including membership organizations with over 400 members which provide regular meal service and receive payment for dues or other services from or on behalf of nonmembers

        Persons that own, lease, rent, operate, manage, or in any manner control a public accommodation

        Exceptions for sex discrimination in private facilities, sleeping rooms and educational institutions

        Accommodation or business facility of any kind which sells or otherwise offers services or goods to public OR Operator of such facility

        Public officials who are officers or employees of the State or its agencies

        Kinds of Relief Available

        Make whole damages (such as out-of-pocket expenses and emotional distress damages)

        Punitive Damages

        Injunctive Relief (such as order to admit complainant to public accommodation)

        Fines to the City

        Attorney’s fees and costs for prevailing Complainant

        Make whole damages (such as out-of-pocket expenses and emotional distress damages)

        Injunctive Relief (such as order to admit complainant to public accommodation)

        Fines to the County

        Attorney’s fees and costs for prevailing Complainant

        Make whole damages (such as back pay, lost benefits and emotional distress damages)

        Other Damages (such as interest)

        Injunctive Relief (such as reinstatement and barring contracts with the State), including emergency relief

        Attorney’s fees & costs to prevailing complainant 

        Agency Contact Information

        Chicago Commission on Human Relations
        740 N. Sedgwick St. Ste. 400
        Chicago, IL 60654

        Phone: 312.744.4111
        TTY: 312.744.1088
        Fax: 312.744.1081

        cchrfilings@cityofchicago.org

        Cook County Commission on Human Rights
        69 W. Washington St. Ste. 1130
        Chicago, IL 60602

        Phone: 312.603.1100
        Fax: 312.603.9988

        Human.rights@cookcountyil.gov

        Illinois Department of Human Rights
        555 W. Monroe St. Ste. 700
        Chicago, IL 60661

        Phone: 312.814.6229
        Fax: 312.814.6251

        IDHR.FairHousing@illinois.gov 

        Intake HoursMonday through Friday, except holidays, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PMIntake interviews are by appointment only, please call or email to make an intake appointmentMonday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
        Office HoursMonday through Friday, except holidays, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (2 copies of all filings required)Monday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PMMonday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
        Agencies to ContactChicago Office of Labor Standards (OLS)Cook County Commission on Human Rights (CCCHR)Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL)
        Types of Discrimination CoveredWage Theft 
        Minimum Wage
        Paid Leave and Sick Leave
        Fair Work Week
        Domestic Care Workers
        Minimum Wage
        Paid Leave
        Living Wage
        Unpaid Wages
        Minimum Wage
        Overtime
        Child Labor
        Consumer Coverage
        Day & Temporary Labor
        One Day Rest in Seven
        Nurse Agency
        Child Bereavement
        Family Bereavement
        Employee Classification
        Paid Sick Leave
        Equal Pay
        Personnel Records
        Prevailing Wage
        Paid Leave
        Geographic LimitationsViolation occurred within the City of ChicagoViolation occurred within Cook County, in municipalities that comply with these OrdinancesViolation occurred within Illinois
        Time LimitationsMust file within 3 years of the alleged violationMust file within 3 years of the alleged violationMust file within 1 year of the alleged violation
        Who Can Be Sued

        Employers (no minimum number of employees)

        Labor Organizations

        Employment Agencies

        Individuals

        Employers (no minimum number of employees)

        Labor Organizations

        Employment Agencies

        Individuals

        Employers with at least 15 employees in Illinois; or with at least 1 employee for sexual harassment, disability, pregnancy, retaliation, public contractors, state/local gov’t units, apprenticeship & training programs

        Labor Organizations

        Employment Agencies

        Individual sexual harassers

        Kinds of Relief Available

        Make whole damages (such as back pay, lost benefits and emotional distress damages)

        Other Damages (such as interest)

        Punitive Damages

        Injunctive Relief (such as reinstatement)

        Fines to the City

        Attorney’s fees & costs to prevailing Complainant 

        Make whole damages (such as back pay, lost benefits and emotional distress damages)

        Other Damages (such as interest)

        Injunctive Relief (such as reinstatement)

        Fines to the County

        Attorney’s fees & costs to prevailing Complainant

        Make whole damages (such as back pay, lost benefits and emotional distress damages)

        Other Damages (such as interest)

        Injunctive Relief (such as reinstatement and barring contracts with the State), including emergency relief

        Attorney’s fees & costs to prevailing Complainant 
         

        Agency Contact Information

        Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
        121 N. LaSalle St 8th Fl.
        Chicago, IL 60602

        Phone: 312.744.6060
        TTY: 312.744.1944
        Fax: 312.744.0246

        bacpoutreach@cityofchicago.org

        Cook County Commission on Human Rights
        69 W. Washington St. Ste. 1130
        Chicago, IL 60602

        Phone: 312.603.1100
        Fax: 312.603.9988

        Human.rights@cookcountyil.gov

        Illinois Department of Labor
        160 N. LaSalle Street, C-130
        Chicago, IL 60601

        Phone: 312.793.2800
        Fax: 312.793.5257

        DOL.Questions@Illinois.Gov

        Intake HoursMonday through Friday, except holidays, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PMIntake interviews are by appointment only, please call or email to make an intake appointmentMonday through Thursday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
        Office HoursMonday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PMMonday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PMMonday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
        Location Title
        We are here to help! We encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our investigators if you have questions about filing a complaint.  Also, the office is open to walk-in between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. 
        Location Phone
        Location Fax
        Location Hours
        Sunday: Closed
        Monday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
        Tuesday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
        Wednesday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
        Thursday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
        Friday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
        Saturday: Closed