Civil Rights & Disputes in Illinois

Yes. Illinois's Human Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination based on order of protection status — a protection for domestic violence survivors who may face employer bias due to court-ordered protections. This is a relatively unique state-level protection.

Employment discrimination complaints must be filed with IDHR within 300 days of the discriminatory act. For sexual harassment specifically, the deadline is also 300 days. IDHR has a dual-filing agreement with the EEOC.

Illinois does not have a codified general anti-SLAPP statute. The legislature has periodically considered one, but as of this writing, Illinois defamation defendants must rely on standard motion practice.

Defamation claims in Illinois must be filed within one year under 735 ILCS 5/13-201. This is one of the shorter windows nationally, making prompt consultation important.

Under the IHRA, successful complainants may be entitled to back pay, front pay, compensatory damages (including emotional distress), reinstatement or hiring, reasonable attorney fees, and costs. For sexual harassment claims, the IHRA also allows for uncapped compensatory damages. The Illinois Human Rights Commission may award these remedies after an administrative hearing, or a complainant may pursue the case in circuit court after obtaining a right-to-sue notice. Illinois courts have awarded substantial damages in IHRA cases, particularly where the discrimination was egregious or involved patterns of harassment.

Yes. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in real estate transactions based on the same broad list of protected classes that apply in employment, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, and order of protection status. Housing discrimination complaints may be filed with the IDHR within 300 days of the discriminatory act. The IHRA covers discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing, as well as discriminatory advertising and restrictive covenants. These state protections supplement federal Fair Housing Act coverage.