IDHR Links

Welcome to the website of the Illinois Department of Human Rights.  I hope that you find it helpful. 

Collectively, our Agency has a very clear goal in mind—to make the Department a fairer, more responsive and more professional organization. 

And, most importantly, to treat all those who look to our agency for assistance with dignity and respect. We are working hard to achieve that goal every day. 

I hope that if you feel you have been discriminated against or if you are responding to a charge of discrimination, you will find our office knowledgeable, timely and informative. 

Our website includes forms, instructions and links to numerous other related websites as well as detailed information on how the discrimination charge process works.  In addition, you may contact one of our offices throughout Illinois:

We look forward to serving you.

Sincerely,


Rocco J. Claps
Director, Illinois Department of Human Rights

To secure for all individuals within the State of Illinois, freedom from unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment in employment and in higher education.

To establish and promote equal opportunity and affirmative action as the policy of this State in all of its decisions, programs and activities.

To make the Illinois Department of Human Rights an administrative standard of excellence in terms of the quality and quantity of its work product and the work environment for its employees.

• 2010 marks the 90th anniversary of the historical passage of the 19th amendement to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. Join IDHR and the other Federal, State, and City agencies as we celebrate Women's Equality Day with a program that will commemorate these important historical landmarks of the past and rededicate ourselves to fairness and equity in the future.
  
  August 26, 1920 marked a watershed moment in our nation's history. The United States secretary of state signed into law the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving women the right to vote. That significant moment in history securing that basic civil right came after a more than 70-year struggle that saw pioneering "radical" women jailed and physically abused as they fought for justice.
  
  Illinois played a pivotal role in the struggle, and Illinois and suburban women continue to mark our history, politics and policy. And they should continue to by exercising their rights, speaking out and working to change policies that affect us all.
  
  On August 26, 2010, The Illinois Department of Human Rights in conjunction with the Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor, City of Chicago, Commission on Human Relations, Advisory Council on Women, The Illinois Department of Labor, and the Cook County Commission on Human Rights, Women’s Issues and Ethics sponsored a noontime event commemorating the 90th anniversaries of the 19th amendment as well as the establishment by Congress of the Women’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor. The event was emceed by Merri Dee. Speakers included Governor Pat Quinn and his mother, Eileen Quinn, who at 93, was born before women had the right to vote. Other speakers were Rocco Claps, Director, IDHR, Nancy Chen, Women’s Bureau, Catherine Shannon, Illinois Department of Labor, MaryNic Foster, Cook County Commission on Human Rights, Ken Gunn, and Chicago Commission on Human Relations.
  (August 26, 2010)
  
  Click here for photo images of the event.
  


• The Illinois Department of Human Rights is pleased to announce the translation of its brochure, Filing a Charge of Discrimination Under the Illinois Human Rights Act, into the following languages: French, Hindi, Arabic, and Urdu. These translations are available for viewing and downloading on our website.




EXPIRING IDHR EMPLOYER REPORT FORM, PC1 NUMBERS:   Beginning August 2009, all IDHR numbers*** expiring from August 1, 2009 and beyond are posted on the IDHR website and can be located by clicking here. Under current procedures, no further notice of expiring numbers will be given. ***All persons/companies which have filed an Employer Report Form (PC1, IL442-0010, or IDHR Number) and been granted a number will have that number for five years from issuance. This number is evidence of eligibility to bid on, or be awarded a public contract for business with the State of Illinois.