Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers - Article

Important Legislation: The Illinois Human Rights Act

The Illinois Human Rights Act was signed into law by Governor James Thomson in 1979. This piece of legislation was designed to define discrimination as broadly as possible, ensuring equal opportunities in employment, education, access to credit, and accommodations in public spaces for all citizens of the state. According to the act, the Illinois Department of Human Rights is in charge of investigating discrimination charges. The Illinois Human Rights Commission reviews the evidence and makes a determination about whether discrimination occurred and what the plaintiff is owed.

The Illinois Human Rights Act has been updated over the years as new cases come to light and different forms of discrimination are claimed. Currently, it is illegal to discriminate against customers; job, school and loan applicants; and visitors to public places based on their sex, race, age, religion, level of ability, nation of origin, color, arrest record, sexual orientation, ancestry, and military discharge record. This is a broader definition of discrimination than many other states in the US have.

Although the Act prohibits discrimination, it does not require affirmative action or any other program which favors one group over others. To make sure everyone understands what is and is not required by the act, the Illinois Department of human rights offers information on their website at www.state.il.us/dhr/index.htm. You can contact them to ask about literature and training.

If you have any questions about your rights, and how to gain compensation if your rights have been violated, contact Chicago personal injury lawyers Friedman & Bonebrake at (312) 466-8200.