Chicago Commission on Human Relations
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Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 

Board of Commissioners

Mischelle Causey-Drake

Rev. Randall Doubet-King

Charles P. Fischbach

Mark A. Flores

Wynetta A. Frazier, PhD

Kendra J. Jackson

Denise Lam

Samuel Miller, Jr.

Rev. Dr. Sid Mohn

Farouk Mustafa, PhD

Joseph A. Podlasek

Lucy Robles-Aquino

Rabbi Herman E. Schaalman

Rouhy J. Shalabi

Edwin B. Silverman, PhD

Audrena Spence

Michael Towns

Jose A. Velgara

Bernarda Wong

 

 

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Department

Human Relations

The Commission on Human Relations promotes appreciation of Chicago's diversity and works to eliminate prejudice and discrimination. Commissioners, advisory councils, and staff conduct pro-active programs of education, intervention, and constituency building to discourage bigotry and bring people from different groups together. The Commission enforces the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance and the Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance, which prohibit discrimination within the city of Chicago in the following areas:

  • Housing
  • Employment
  • Credit Transactions
  • Bonding
  • Public Accommodations

The Commission investigates discrimination complaints, then if there is substancial evidence of a violation, the Commission conducts an administrative hearing and issues a ruling, which may impose fines, damages, and injunctive relief if a violation was proved. The Commission implements the Hate Crimes Ordinance by monitoring hate crimes in Chicago and aiding victims.

Persons who feel they have been discriminated against in Chicago because of membership in one or more of the following 14 "protected classes" may file a complaint with the Commission:

Race Ancestry
Sex Sexual Orientation
Color Gender Identity
Age Marital Status
Religion Parental Status
Disability (Mental or Physical) Military Discharge Status
National Origin Source of Income

A complaint must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination. Prevailing complainants may receive out-of-pocket damages, emotional distress damages, attorney's fees and costs, and in some cases, punitive damages. A respondent found liable must also pay a fine to the City.

Most Recent News (Human Relations)

Mar 18, 2010 New Chair of Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues
Mar 15, 2010 Commission on Human Relations Urges Federal Investigation of Racist Incident
Mar 10, 2010 Racist Display Indicates Bias of One, Not A Community
Mar 5, 2010 City Calls For Chicagoans To Support Chilean Relief Efforts
Feb 2, 2010 City Partners with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to Provide Free TPS Workshops
View all News Releases (Human Relations)

Service Providers

Supporting Information

Department Main Office

Human Relations

  • Phone: 312.744.4111
  • TTY: 312.744.1088
  • Fax: 312.744.1081
  • 740 North Sedgwick Street
  • Suite 300
  • Chicago, IL 60654