How can I find out the appropriate agency to file a charge with?

Agencies to Contact

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR)   

Cook County  Commission on Human Rights (CCCHR)

The Chicago Commission on Human Relations. (CCHR)

Types of Discrimination Covered

-Race
-Color
-Sex
-Sexual Harrassment
-National Origin
-Ancestry
-Age
-Disability
-Retaliation

-Race
-Color
-Religion
-Sex
-Sexual Harrassment
-National Origin
-Ancestry
-Age
-Disability
-Marital Status
-Retaliation
-Unfavorable Military Discharge
-Military Status
-Aiding/Abetting
-Willful Interference
-Coercion
-Arrest Record
-Citizenship Status

-Race
-Color
-Religion
-Sex
-Sexual Harrassment
-National Origin
-Ancestry
-Age
-Marital Status
-Disability
-Retaliation
-Parental Status
-Sexual Orientation
-Source of Income
-Military Discharge
-Status
-Housing Status
-Aiding/Abetting
-Willful Interference

-Race
-Color
-Religion
-Sex
-Sexual Harrassment
-National Origin
-Ancestry
-Age
-Marital Status
-Disability
-Parental Status
-Sexual Orientation
-Source of Income
-Military Discharge
-Status
-Limited Retaliation

Geographic Limitations

Violation occured within U.S. or at U.S. companies located outside U.S.

Violation occurred within Illinois   

Violation occurred within Cook County

Violation occurred within the City of Chicago

Time Limitations

Charge may be filed within 300 days of discrimination.

Charge may be filed within 180 days of discrimination.

Charge may be filed within 180 days of discrimination.

Charge may be filed within 180 days of discrimination

Who Can Be Sued

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

-Labor Organizations
-Apprenticeship/
Training Programs
-Employment Agencies

Employers with at lease 15 employees; Employers with at least 1 employee ofr disability, sexual harassment, public contractors, state and local government units or apprenticeship/
training programs

-Labor Organizations
-Employment Agencies
-Individuals

Employers (no minimum number of employees)

-Labor Organizations
-Employment Agencies
-Individuals

Employers (no minimum number of employees)

-Labor Organizations
-Employment Agencies
-Individuals

Kinds of Relief Available

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

-Compensatory Damages

-Punitive Damages

-Injuctive Relief, including emergency relief

-Attorneys Fees for Prevailing Complainant

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

-Other Damages (such as interest)

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

-Attorneys Fees for Prevailing Complainant

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

-Punitive Damages

-Other Damages (such as interest)

-Injunctive Relief (such as reinstatement), including emergency relief

-Fines to the County

-Attorneys Fees for Prevailing Complainant

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

-Punitive Damages

-Other Damages (such as interest)

-Injunctive Relief (such as reinstatement)

-Fines to the City

-Attorneys Fees for Prevailing Complainant

Agency Contact Information

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Chicago District Office
500 W. Madison
Suite 2800
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 353-2713, 2714
(312) 353-2421 (TDD)
(312) 353-7355 (Fax)

Illinois Department of Human Rights
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph
Suite 10-100
Chicago, Illinois 60610
(312) 814-6200
(312) 263-1579 (TDD)
(312) 814-1541(Fax)

Cook County Commission on Human Rights
69 W. Washington St.
Suite 2900
Chicago, Illinois 60602
(312) 603-1100
(312) 603-1101 (TDD)
(312) 603-9988(Fax)

Chicago Commission on Human Relations
740 N. Sedgwick
3rd Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60610
(312) 744-4111(312) 744-1088(TDD)
(312) 744-1081(Fax)

Office Hours

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:30-5:00

Intake Hours Monday through Friday
8:30-12:00
1:00-3:30

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:30-5:00

Intake Hours Monday through Thursday
8:30-5:00

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:30-5:00

Intake Hours Monday through Friday
8:30-5:00

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
9:00-5:00 (2 copies of all filings required)

Intake Hours:
Monday through Friday
9:00-5:00

Other Forms of Discrimination Covered

Housing, Public Accommodations, Credit Transactions, and Sexual Harassment in Higher Education.

Housing, Public Accommodations, and Credit Transactions.

Housing, Public Accommodations, Credit Bonding and Transactions.