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Contact IDHR for Services or Follow-Up

Information for Filers (Complainants)

If you believe you have been discriminated against, you can file a charge with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR). Filing a charge with us is free, and you don't need a lawyer to get started. 

We will review your situation and investigate your charge fairly and confidentially if it falls under Illinois law.

Table of contents

Your Steps to File a Charge 
A simple, three-step process to submit your charge.

Deadlines to Know
Most cases must be filed within 2 years of the discrimination.

What Happens Next
Find out how IDHR assigns, notifies, and investigates your charge.

Your Rights and Responsibilities
What you can expect from IDHR and how you can help your case.

What We Can and Can't Do
Learn our limits so you can find the right help.

Your Steps to File a Charge

The process is simple and straightforward. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Learn your rights

Figure out which protected area applies to your situation:

Step 2: Fill out the form

Complete the following Complainant Information Sheet (CIS). There are two versions - one for most cases, one for all housing cases. Give us as much detail as possible. The more information you provide, the better we can help you.

Access the Complainant Information Sheet (CIS) - Most Cases
Access the Complainant Information Sheet (CIS) - Housing & Real Estate Cases

Step 3: Submit your completed form

Email (recommended)

Mail: Use the address listed at the bottom of the form.

Fax: The number is also listed on the form.

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Deadlines to know

Don't wait, you have limited time to file your claim:

  • Most cases need to be filed within 2 years of when the discrimination happened
  • For housing cases, you need to file within 1 year of when the discrimination happened

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What happens next?

Once you file your charge, here's what we'll do:

  • Assign your case a number so you can track its progress

  • Notify the other party (called the "respondent") that a charge has been filed

  • Begin our process—starting with intake, then possibly mediation, investigation, and findings

Staying informed: You can check on your case status anytime using our Contact IDHR form, or call us at (312) 814-4294. You will be asked to leave a message for a later call-back.

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Your rights and responsibilities

You have the right to:

  • Fair and confidential treatment throughout the process

  • The right to provide evidence and identify witnesses

  • Updates on your case and copies of important documents

  • The option to settle at any point before we make a final decision

  • Protection from retaliation for filing your charge

What we need from you:

  • Respond promptly when we contact you for information

  • Keep your contact information current with us

  • Attend scheduled conferences or meetings

  • Provide any additional evidence or documentation we request

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What we can and can't do

We can investigate discrimination based on protected characteristics like race, color, religion, sex, sexual harassment, national origin, ancestry, age (40+), disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military status, and other categories under Illinois law.

We cannot address:

  • Personal disputes or workplace conflicts that aren't based on a protected characteristic
  • Employment issues involving federal agencies (those need to go to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity office of the agency involved)
  • Business disagreements or policy disputes unrelated to discrimination
  • Cases outside our legal authority under the Illinois Human Rights Act
  • Constitutional violations
  • Unfair union or labor practice violations that aren't based in a protected characteristic

If we can't help, we'll do our best to connect you with the right agency or resource. We cannot provide legal advice.

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