Workplace Discrimination in Illinois
Discrimination is an all-too-familiar scenario for many in the workplace. Likewise, it is also the most common type of workplace lawsuit that workers file. An experienced Illinois workplace discrimination attorney can help. Find out how.
What Is Workplace Discrimination?
Discrimination in the workplace deals with unfair treatment. These laws find their basis in factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, physical qualities, or age. Workplace discrimination can occur between employees or between employers and existing or prospective employees.
Illinois Labor laws make some types of workplace discrimination illegal. If illegal discrimination occurs, workers may be able to file a workplace discrimination lawsuit. A worker does not need to currently have employment from a company to face qualifying discrimination. For instance, the company chose not to hire someone. If it’s because of a qualifying characteristic, the individual may become entitled to a claim.
Here are some of the most common types of discrimination that occur in the Illinoiswork environment:
- Choosing not to hire someone because of their disability
- Choosing not to promote someone because of their race
- Excluding someone from a project because management says they’re too old
- Making misogynistic comments about women
- Deliberately paying men more than women because the boss values their work more
Should You File a Complaint With the HR Department or the EEOC?
Most Illinois companies have a human resources department and discrimination in the workplace falls within their portfolio. For that reason, raising concerns with the appropriate HR representative may include filing a written report, a possible sit-down interview, and an investigation.
Sometimes a company does not have a human resources department and there are no policies in place. To resolve the issue, you might take your concerns directly to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They can assist you in investigating the claim and possibly filing a lawsuit.
If you file your complaint directly with the EEOC, you must typically do so within 180 days. However, the deadline may be up to 300 day in certain situations. The Chicago District Office handles federal discrimination complaints for the entire state. The EEOC usually attempts to settle complaints through mediation first. However, they can also conduct investigations and even initiate court actions.
What Laws Protect Against Discrimination in the Workplace?
There are federal workplace discrimination laws that help to protect employees. On a federal level, Illinois employees have protections from discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. However, many states have even stronger laws that offer additional protection.
Let’s take an example. California became the first state where ethnic hair and the right to wear it naturally became a right. In other states, employers may discriminate against natural hair because of racial discrimination.
The Illinois Department of Human Rights investigates allegations of workplace discrimination in Illinois. Illinois anti-discrimination laws provide even broader protections than federal laws. In addition, for claims of sexual harassment and disability discrimination, state laws apply to all employers of any size. For other types of discrimination, Illinois state laws have the same 15-employee minimum as federal laws.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
This specifically prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of race, religion, sex, color, or national origin. It typically applies to organizations with 15 or more employees. It also applies to schools (both public and private) and labor organizations. The EEOC’s primary responsibility is enforcing this law.
The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in employment, as well as real estate and financial transactions and public accommodations. In addition to the traits protected under federal law, Illinois adds a few. These include marital status, military or veteran status, and lack of a permanent mailing address.
2025 Executive Orders
On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that significantly altered workplace discrimination policies, particularly for companies holding federal contracts. This order rescinded Executive Order 11246, originally signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, which had prohibited federal contractors from making employment decisions based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
While the immediate impact falls on federal contractors, this policy change could also influence private businesses, including those in Illinois. The state has some of the strongest workplace protections in the country, but companies that rely on federal contracts may reevaluate their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Without federal DEI requirements, some Illinois employers may opt to scale back or eliminate these initiatives.
Despite the shift at the federal level, Illinois law continues to provide strong workplace protections. In addition to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Illinois Human Rights Act ensures that employees in the state are safeguarded against workplace discrimination and have legal recourse if they experience unfair treatment.
Other Notable Applicable Federal Discrimination Laws
- Equal Pay Act (EPA) – Deals with equal pay act for men and women
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) – Protects workers aged 40 and over
- Americans with Disabilities Act – Protects employees with physical disabilities
Examples of State Workplace Discrimination Laws
- Illinois: Under Illinois law, employers cannot discriminate against you for your arrest record or unfavorable military discharge. In addition, they cannot base decisions on your status as a domestic violence victim or being under a protective order.
- California: The CROWN Act – Bans employers from discriminating against ethnic hair.
- New York: Human Rights Law – Prohibits discrimination. It includes protections for ethnic hair, sexual orientation, and gender identity as protected characteristics
- Washington: Washington State Law Against Discrimination – Makes discrimination illegal, including discrimination against people with disabilities who rely on service animals
What Is the Workplace Discrimination Process Like?
Filing a claim for workplace discrimination in Illinois can be a tricky process given the number of potential laws in play. This is especially the case when the characteristics of the case under protections only qualify under state law. The EEOC enforces federal workplace discrimination laws. In some cases, individual state labor departments handle the claims that only qualify under state law.
Filing a Claim
When it comes to federal claims, workers have about 180 days to file, to remain within the statute of limitations. Time is of the essence with discrimination claims. It’s a good idea to hire a discrimination lawyer to help from the beginning.
Illinois Claimants also need to provide some basic information with their claim. Depending on the agency, the employer’s name, the name(s) of involved parties, and a description of the incident. It will also include the contact information for everyone involved.
Once the investigation has begun, the agency may request more information. They generally give you ample time and opportunity to produce said information if this happens.
Investigating the Claim
The investigation may include interviews with the Illinois employee, their employer, coworkers, or anyone else with relevant information. If the agency determines the claim is valid and that discrimination occurred, the next step is typically to pursue a settlement or mediation. Both parties are often motivated to reach a compromise to avoid further legal action.
If a settlement cannot be reached, filing a lawsuit may be necessary. In such cases, an attorney can provide a “Right to Sue” letter, granting the employee the ability to pursue their claim in court independently. This step allows the employee to take legal action to seek justice for the discrimination they experienced.
If the Illinois Department of Human Rights dismisses your complaint after the investigation, you have some options. You could choose to file an administrative appeal using the Request for Review Process. If the Department sustains the dismissal, you can then file an appeal in Appellate Court. Alternatively, you can skip the administrative appeal process altogether, and file a new complaint in Circuit Court.
Work With an Experienced Workplace Discrimination Lawyer in Illinois
Consider hiring a lawyer who specializes in discrimination in Illinois as soon as the incident takes place. Experts often recommend that you resolve the issue internally through the proper HR channels. On the other hand, many employers mishandle these cases.
If you are considering a lawsuit, an attorney becomes even more necessary. Illinois discrimination attorneys can help you with the paperwork, prepare you for depositions, and find corroborating witnesses to support your claim.
If the court rules in your favor, you might become entitled to several different compensatory benefits:
- Back pay
- Promotion
- Reinstatement
- Front pay
- Reasonable accommodations
- Payment of attorney’s fees, court costs, and expert witness fees
Are you ready to find out if you are eligible for these benefits in Illinois? Start with a case review. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Illinois state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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