The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) administers the Illinois Human Rights Act . The IL Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in Illinois with respect to employment, financial credit, public accommodations, housing and sexual harassment, as well as sexual harassment in education. A discrimination charge can be initiated by calling, writing or appearing in person at the Department’s Chicago or Springfield office within 300 days of the date the alleged discrimination took place in all cases except housing discrimination (one year filing deadline). Learn more about filing a complaint or charge of discrimination.
IDHR investigates charges of Employment discrimination filed against private employers, state or local government, unions and employment agencies.
Fair HousingIDHR investigates charges of discrimination involving real estate transactions (rentals, sales, and other transactions) in both residential and commercial real property.
Public Accommodations DiscriminationIDHR investigates charges of discrimination, in settings such as a business, facility, place of eduction, lodging, entertainment or recreational.
Financial Credit DiscriminationFinancial institutions doing business in Illinois are prohibited from discriminating in granting commercial or personal loans & credit cards.
Sexual Harassment in Education You have a right to be free of sexual harassment in an educational institution. Sexual Harassment & Discrimination Helpline Report sexual harassment and discrimination and obtain referrals to resources. IDHR COVID-19 Procedures IDHR Procedures to Mitigate & Prevent COVID-19 IDHR Publications & GuidesLearn more about IDHR's free, online training resources for housing professionals and the general public.
Now Online for Housing Professionals: Guide on Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications Pregnancy Rights in Illinois: A New Guidance 12/2022: Enforcing Non-Discrimination Policies in Public SpacesGovernor JB Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and IDHR Director Jim Bennett partnered to address safety concerns from public officials after recent incidents of anti-LBGTQ+ violence.
6/2022: Human Rights Act Expands Protections to Include Hair-Based DiscriminationGovernor Pritzker signed SB3616, also known as the CROWN Act, into law, codifying protections for Illinoisans discriminated against due to hairstyles historically associated with specific racial groups.
6/2022: Illinois Human Rights Act Protects Equal Access to Reproductive Healthcare ServicesIDHR applauds Governor Pritzker’s leadership in protecting reproductive rights in Illinois. The Illinois Attorney General has released guidance reassuring the public that Illinois law protects reproductive rights including the right to have an abortion.
Governor JB Pritzker signed HB2775 that amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to ban discrimination in housing selection based on source of income, including non-employment income such as Section 8 vouchers or disability payments.
12/2021: IDHR Releases Guidance to Further Protect Transgender, Nonbinary and Gender Non-Conforming Students
IDHR announces the release of non-regulatory guidance on non-discrimination protections for transgender, nonbinary and gender non-conforming students under the Illinois Human Rights Act (Act).
Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 121, ensuring the Illinois Human Rights Act protects anyone with federal work authorization, the legal requirement necessary to work in the United States, from employment discrimination.
3/2021: Human Rights Act Amended to Add Conviction Record ProtectionsSenate Bill 1480 adds another layer of protection for anyone that has come into contact with public law enforcement. Read Frequently Asked Questions.
Report Adverse Judgments and Administrative Rulings Under 5/2-108 Beginning July 1, 2020, and by each July 1 thereafter, each employer that had an adverse judgment or administrative ruling against it in the preceding calendar year shall disclose annually to the Department of Human Rights, the following information: the total number of adverse judgments or administrative rulings during the preceding year; whether any equitable relief was ordered; and the number of adverse judgments or administrative rulings entered against the employer within specific categories outlined in Section 2-108(B) of the Illinois Human Rights Act.