Illinois' employment discrimination law is located in the Illinois Compiled Statutes in the sections below.

Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/ )
General Provisions

• (775 ILCS 5/1-102) Sec. 1-102. Declaration of Policy.
• (775 ILCS 5/1-103) Sec. 1-103. General Definitions.

Employment Discrimination

• (775 ILCS 5/2-101) Sec. 2-101. Definitions.
• (775 ILCS 5/2-102) Sec. 2-102. Civil Rights Violations - Employment.
• (775 ILCS 5/2-104) Sec. 2-104. Exemptions to employment civil rights violations.

Illinois Civil Rights Act of 2003 (740 ILCS 23/ )

• (740 ILCS 23/5) Sec. 5. Discrimination prohibited.

Right to Privacy In the Workplace Act (820 ILCS 55/ )

• (820 ILCS 55/5)Sec. 55/5. Use of lawful products; Discrimination prohibited.
• (820 ILCS 55/10) Sec. 55/10. Prohibited inquiries by employer.

Equal Wage Act (820 ILCS 110/ )

• (820 ILCS 110/1) Sec. 1. Unlawful acts.

Equal Pay Act (820 ILCS 112/ )

• (820 ILCS 112/5) Section 5. Definitions.
• (820 ILCS 112/10) Section 10. Prohibited acts.
• (820 ILCS 112/35) Section 35. Refusal to pay wages or final compensation; retaliatory discharge or discrimination.

Victim’s Economic Security and Safety Act (820 ILCS 180/ )

• (820 ILCS 180/10) Section 10. Definitions.
• (820 ILCS 180/30) Section 30. Victims' employment sustainability; prohibited discriminatory acts.

Discrimination Against Military Service Personnel

• Section 1805/100. Members of national guard or reserves; Discrimination prohibited.

The Illinois Human Rights Act is amended by prohibiting sexual orientation discrimination in relation to employment. It changes Sections 1-102, 1-103 and the heading of Article 1 and adding Section 1-101.1. Effective 1/1/06 Chapter 775, Act 5, Article 1, Sections 5/1-101.1, 5/1-102, 5/1-103.

SECTION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

(775 ILCS 5/1-102) (from Ch. 68, par. 1-102)
Sec. 1-102. Declaration of Policy. It is the public policy of this State:

1. Freedom from Unlawful Discrimination. To secure for all individuals within Illinois the freedom from discrimination against any individual because of his or her race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, military status, sexual orientation, or unfavorable discharge from military service in connection with employment, real estate transactions, access to financial credit, and the availability of public accommodations.
2. Freedom from Sexual Harassment-Employment and Higher Education. To prevent sexual harassment in employment and sexual harassment in higher education.
3. Freedom from Discrimination Based on Citizenship Status-Employment. To prevent discrimination based on citizenship status in employment.
4. Freedom from Discrimination Based on Familial Status-Real Estate Transactions. To prevent discrimination based on familial status in real estate transactions.
5. Public Health, Welfare and Safety. To promote the public health, welfare and safety by protecting the interest of all people in Illinois in maintaining personal dignity, in realizing their full productive capacities, and in furthering their interests, rights and privileges as citizens of this State.
6. Implementation of Constitutional Guarantees. To secure and guarantee the rights established by Sections 17, 18 and 19 of Article I of the Illinois Constitution of 1970.
7. Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action. To establish Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action as the policies of this State in all of its decisions, programs and activities, and to assure that all State departments, boards, commissions and instrumentalities rigorously take affirmative action to provide equality of opportunity and eliminate the effects of past discrimination in the internal affairs of State government and in their relations with the public.
8. Unfounded Charges. To protect citizens of this State against unfounded charges of unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment in employment and sexual harassment in higher education, and discrimination based on citizenship status in employment. (Source: P.A. 87-579; 88-178.)

(775 ILCS 5/1-103)
(from Ch. 68, par. 1-103)

Sec. 1-103. General Definitions. When used in this Act, unless the context requires otherwise, the term:

(A) Age. "Age" means the chronological age of a person who is at least 40 years old, except with regard to any practice described in Section 2-102, insofar as that practice concerns training or apprenticeship programs. In the case of training or apprenticeship programs, for the purposes of Section 2-102, "age" means the chronological age of a person who is 18 but not yet 40 years old.

(B) Aggrieved Party. "Aggrieved party" means a person who is alleged or proved to have been injured by a civil rights violation or believes he or she will be injured by a civil rights violation under Article 3 that is about to occur.

(C) Charge. "Charge" means an allegation filed with the Department by an aggrieved party or initiated by the Department under its authority.

(D) Civil Rights Violation. "Civil rights violation" includes and shall be limited to only those specific acts set forth in Sections 2-102, 2-103, 2-105, 3-102, 3-103, 3-104, 3-104.1, 3-105, 4-102, 4-103, 5-102, 5A-102 and 6-101 of this Act.

(E) Commission. "Commission" means the Human Rights Commission created by this Act.

(F) Complaint. "Complaint" means the formal pleading filed by the Department with the Commission following an investigation and finding of substantial evidence of a civil rights violation.

(G) Complainant. "Complainant" means a person including the Department who files a charge of civil rights violation with the Department or the Commission.

(H) Department. "Department" means the Department of Human Rights created by this Act.

(I) Handicap. "Handicap" means a determinable physical or mental characteristic of a person, including, but not limited to, a determinable physical characteristic which necessitates the person's use of a guide, hearing or support dog, the history of such characteristic, or the perception of such characteristic by the person complained against, which may result from disease, injury, congenital condition of birth or functional disorder and which characteristic:

(1) For purposes of Article 2 is unrelated to the person's ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position and, pursuant to Section 2-104 of this Act, a person's illegal use of drugs or alcohol is not a handicap;

(2) For purposes of Article 3, is unrelated to the person's ability to acquire, rent or maintain a housing accommodation;

(3) For purposes of Article 4, is unrelated to a person's ability to repay;

(4) For purposes of Article 5, is unrelated to a person's ability to utilize and benefit from a place of public accommodation.

(J) Marital Status. "Marital status" means the legal status of being married, single, separated, divorced or widowed.

(J-1) Military Status. "Military status" means a person's status on active duty in or status as a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, status as a current member or veteran of any reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the United States Army Reserve, United States Marine Corps Reserve, United States Navy Reserve, United States Air Force Reserve, and United States Coast Guard Reserve, or status as a current member or veteran of the Illinois Army National Guard or Illinois Air National Guard.

(K) National Origin. "National origin" means the place in which a person or one of his or her ancestors was born.

(L) Person. "Person" includes one or more individuals, partnerships, associations or organizations, labor organizations, labor unions, joint apprenticeship committees, or union labor associations, corporations, the State of Illinois and its instrumentalities, political subdivisions, units of local government, legal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy or receivers.

(M) Public Contract. "Public contract" includes every contract to which the State, any of its political subdivisions or any municipal corporation is a party.

(N) Religion. "Religion" includes all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief, except that with respect to employers, for the purposes of Article 2, "religion" has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph

(F) of Section 2-101.

(O) Sex. "Sex" means the status of being male or female.

(O-1) Sexual orientation. "Sexual orientation" means actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or gender-related identity, whether or not traditionally associated with the person's designated sex at birth. "Sexual orientation" does not include a physical or sexual attraction to a minor by an adult.

(P) Unfavorable Military Discharge. "Unfavorable military discharge" includes discharges from the Armed Forces of the United States, their Reserve components or any National Guard or Naval Militia which are classified as RE-3 or the equivalent thereof, but does not include those characterized as RE-4 or "Dishonorable".

(Q) Unlawful Discrimination. "Unlawful discrimination" means discrimination against a person because of his or her race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, handicap, military status, sexual orientation, or unfavorable discharge from military service as those terms are defined in this Section.

Sec. 2-101. Definitions.
The following definitions are applicable strictly in the context of this Article.

(A) Employee.

(1) "Employee" includes:

(a) Any individual performing services for remuneration within this State for an employer;

(b) An apprentice;

(c) An applicant for any apprenticeship.

(2) "Employee" does not include:

(a) Domestic servants in private homes;

(b) Individuals employed by persons who are not "employers" as defined by this Act;

(c) Elected public officials or the members of their immediate personal staffs;

(d) Principal administrative officers of the State or of any political subdivision, municipal corporation or other governmental unit or agency;

(e) A person in a vocational rehabilitation facility certified under federal law who has been designated an evaluee, trainee, or work activity client.

(B) Employer.

(1) "Employer" includes:

(a) Any person employing 15 or more employees within Illinois during 20 or more calendar weeks within the calendar year of or preceding the alleged violation;

(b) Any person employing one or more employees when a complainant alleges civil rights violation due to unlawful discrimination based upon his or her physical or mental handicap unrelated to ability or sexual harassment;

(c) The State and any political subdivision, municipal corporation or other governmental unit or agency, without regard to the number of employees;

(d) Any party to a public contract without regard to the number of employees;

(e) A joint apprenticeship or training committee without regard to the number of employees.

(2) "Employer" does not include any religious corporation, association, educational institution, society, or non-profit nursing institution conducted by and for those who rely upon treatment by prayer through spiritual means in accordance with the tenets of a recognized church or religious denomination with respect to the employment of individuals of a particular religion to perform work connected with the carrying on by such corporation, association, educational institution, society or non-profit nursing institution of its activities.

(C) Employment Agency. "Employment Agency" includes both public and private employment agencies and any person, labor organization, or labor union having a hiring hall or hiring office regularly undertaking, with or without compensation, to procure opportunities to work, or to procure, recruit, refer or place employees.

(D) Labor Organization. "Labor Organization" includes any organization, labor union, craft union, or any voluntary unincorporated association designed to further the cause of the rights of union labor which is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining or of dealing with employers concerning grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or apprenticeships or applications for apprenticeships, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment, including apprenticeships or applications for apprenticeships.

(E) Sexual Harassment. "Sexual harassment" means any unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors or any conduct of a sexual nature when

(1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment,

(2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or

(3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.

(F) Religion. "Religion" with respect to employers includes all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief, unless an employer demonstrates that he is unable to reasonably accommodate an employee's or prospective employee's religious observance or practice without undue hardship on the conduct of the employer's business.

(G) Public Employer. "Public employer" means the State, an agency or department thereof, unit of local government, school district, instrumentality or political subdivision.

(H) Public Employee. "Public employee" means an employee of the State, agency or department thereof, unit of local government, school district, instrumentality or political subdivision. "Public employee" does not include public officers or employees of the General Assembly or agencies thereof.

(I) Public Officer. "Public officer" means a person who is elected to office pursuant to the Constitution or a statute or ordinance, or who is appointed to an office which is established, and the qualifications and duties of which are prescribed, by the Constitution or a statute or ordinance, to discharge a public duty for the State, agency or department thereof, unit of local government, school district, instrumentality or political subdivision.

(J) Eligible Bidder. "Eligible bidder" means a person who, prior to a bid opening, has filed with the Department a properly completed, sworn and currently valid employer report form, pursuant to the Department's regulations. The provisions of this Article relating to eligible bidders apply only to bids on contracts with the State and its departments, agencies, boards, and commissions, and the provisions do not apply to bids on contracts with units of local government or school districts.

(K) Citizenship Status. "Citizenship status" means the status of being:

(1) a born U.S. citizen;

(2) a naturalized U.S. citizen;

(3) a U.S. national; or

(4) a person born outside the United States and not a U.S. citizen who is not an unauthorized alien and who is protected from discrimination under the provisions of Section 1324b of Title 8 of the United States Code, as now or hereafter amended.

775 ILCS 5/2-102 Effective Date: 1/1/2004

Sec. 2-102. Civil Rights Violations - Employment.

(A) Employers. For any employer to refuse to hire, to
segregate, or to act with respect to recruitment, hiring,
promotion, renewal of employment, selection for training or
apprenticeship, discharge, discipline, tenure or terms,
privileges or conditions of employment on the basis of unlawful
discrimination or citizenship status.
    (A-5) Language. For an employer to impose a restriction
that has the effect of prohibiting a language from being spoken
by an employee in communications that are unrelated to the
employee's duties.
    For the purposes of this subdivision (A-5), "language"
means a person's native tongue, such as Polish, Spanish, or
Chinese. "Language" does not include such things as slang,
jargon, profanity, or vulgarity.
    (B) Employment Agency. For any employment agency to fail or
refuse to classify properly, accept applications and register
for employment referral or apprenticeship referral, refer for
employment, or refer for apprenticeship on the basis of
unlawful discrimination or citizenship status or to accept from
any person any job order, requisition or request for referral
of applicants for employment or apprenticeship which makes or
has the effect of making unlawful discrimination or
discrimination on the basis of citizenship status a condition
of referral.
    (C) Labor Organization. For any labor organization to
limit, segregate or classify its membership, or to limit
employment opportunities, selection and training for
apprenticeship in any trade or craft, or otherwise to take, or
fail to take, any action which affects adversely any person's
status as an employee or as an applicant for employment or as
an apprentice, or as an applicant for apprenticeships, or
wages, tenure, hours of employment or apprenticeship
conditions on the basis of unlawful discrimination or
citizenship status.
    (D) Sexual Harassment. For any employer, employee, agent of
any employer, employment agency or labor organization to engage
in sexual harassment; provided, that an employer shall be
responsible for sexual harassment of the employer's employees
by nonemployees or nonmanagerial and nonsupervisory employees
only if the employer becomes aware of the conduct and fails to
take reasonable corrective measures.
    (E) Public Employers. For any public employer to refuse to
permit a public employee under its jurisdiction who takes time
off from work in order to practice his or her religious beliefs
to engage in work, during hours other than such employee's
regular working hours, consistent with the operational needs of
the employer and in order to compensate for work time lost for
such religious reasons. Any employee who elects such deferred
work shall be compensated at the wage rate which he or she
would have earned during the originally scheduled work period.
The employer may require that an employee who plans to take
time off from work in order to practice his or her religious
beliefs provide the employer with a notice of his or her
intention to be absent from work not exceeding 5 days prior to
the date of absence.
    (F) Training and Apprenticeship Programs. For any
employer, employment agency or labor organization to
discriminate against a person on the basis of age in the
selection, referral for or conduct of apprenticeship or
training programs.
    (G) Immigration-Related Practices.
        (1) for an employer to request for purposes of
    satisfying the requirements of Section 1324a(b) of Title 8
    of the United States Code, as now or hereafter amended,
    more or different documents than are required under such
    Section or to refuse to honor documents tendered that on
    their face reasonably appear to be genuine; or
        (2) for an employer participating in the Basic Pilot
    Program, as authorized by 8 U.S.C. 1324a, Notes, Pilot
    Programs for Employment Eligibility Confirmation (enacted
    by PL 104-208, div. C title IV, subtitle A) to refuse to
    hire, to segregate, or to act with respect to recruitment,
    hiring, promotion, renewal of employment, selection for
    training or apprenticeship, discharge, discipline, tenure
    or terms, privileges or conditions of employment without
    following the procedures under the Basic Pilot Program.
    (H) Pregnancy; peace officers and fire fighters. For a
public employer to refuse to temporarily transfer a pregnant
female peace officer or pregnant female fire fighter to a less
strenuous or hazardous position for the duration of her
pregnancy if she so requests, with the advice of her physician,
where that transfer can be reasonably accommodated. For the
purposes of this subdivision (H), "peace officer" and "fire
fighter" have the meanings ascribed to those terms in Section 3
of the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act.
    It is not a civil rights violation for an employer to take
any action that is required by Section 1324a of Title 8 of the
United States Code, as now or hereafter amended.
    (I) Pregnancy. For an employer to refuse to hire, to
segregate, or to act with respect to recruitment, hiring,
promotion, renewal of employment, selection for training or
apprenticeship, discharge, discipline, tenure or terms,
privileges or conditions of employment on the basis of
pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Women
affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical
conditions shall be treated the same for all employment-related
purposes, including receipt of benefits under fringe benefit
programs, as other persons not so affected but similar in their
ability or inability to work.  [Effective 8/26/2011]

Sec. 2-103. Arrest Record.

(A) Unless otherwise authorized by law, it is a civil rights violation for any employer, employment agency or labor organization to inquire into or to use the fact of an arrest or criminal history record information ordered expunged, sealed or impounded under Section 5 of the Criminal Identification Act as a basis to refuse to hire, to segregate, or to act with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, renewal of employment, selection for training or apprenticeship, discharge, discipline, tenure or terms, privileges or conditions of employment. This Section does not prohibit a State agency, unit of local government or school district, or private organization from utilizing conviction information obtained from the Department of State Police under the provisions of Section 3 of the Criminal Identification Act in evaluating the qualifications and character of an employee or a prospective employee.

(B) The prohibition against the use of the fact of an arrest contained in this Section shall not be construed to prohibit an employer, employment agency, or labor organization from obtaining or using other information which indicates that a person actually engaged in the conduct for which he or she was arrested.

(775 ILCS 5/2-104)
Sec. 2-104. Exemptions.

(A) Nothing contained in this Act shall prohibit an employer, employment agency or labor organization from:

(1) Bona Fide Qualification. Hiring or selecting between persons for bona fide occupational qualifications or any reason except those civil-rights violations specifically identified in this Article.

(2) Veterans. Giving preferential treatment to veterans and their relatives as required by the laws or regulations of the United States or this State or a unit of local government.

(3) Unfavorable Discharge From Military Service. Using unfavorable discharge from military service as a valid employment criterion when authorized by federal law or regulation or when a position of employment involves the exercise of fiduciary responsibilities as defined by rules and regulations which the Department shall adopt.

(4) Ability Tests. Giving or acting upon the results of any professionally developed ability test provided that such test, its administration, or action upon the results, is not used as a subterfuge for or does not have the effect of unlawful discrimination.

(5) Merit and Retirement Systems.

(a) Applying different standards of compensation, or different terms, conditions or privileges of employment pursuant to a merit or retirement system provided that such system or its administration is not used as a subterfuge for or does not have the effect of unlawful discrimination.

(b) Effecting compulsory retirement of any employee who has attained 65 years of age and who, for the 2-year period immediately preceding retirement, is employed in a bona fide executive or a high policymaking position, if such employee is entitled to an immediate nonforfeitable annual retirement benefit from a pension, profit-sharing, savings, or deferred compensation plan, or any combination of such plans of the employer of such employee, which equals, in the aggregate, at least $44,000. If any such retirement benefit is in a form other than a straight life annuity (with no ancillary benefits) or if the employees contribute to any such plan or make rollover contributions, the retirement benefit shall be adjusted in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Department, so that the benefit is the equivalent of a straight life annuity (with no ancillary benefits) under a plan to which employees do not contribute and under which no rollover contributions are made.

(c) Until January 1, 1994, effecting compulsory retirement of any employee who has attained 70 years of age, and who is serving under a contract of unlimited tenure (or similar arrangement providing for unlimited tenure) at an institution of higher education as defined by Section 1201(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

(6) Training and Apprenticeship programs. Establishing an educational requirement as a prerequisite to selection for a training or apprenticeship program, provided such requirement does not operate to discriminate on the basis of any prohibited classification except age.

(7) Police and Firefighter/Paramedic Retirement. Imposing a mandatory retirement age for firefighters/paramedics or law enforcement officers and discharging or retiring such individuals pursuant to the mandatory retirement age if such action is taken pursuant to a bona fide retirement plan provided that the law enforcement officer or firefighter/paramedic has attained:

(a) the age of retirement in effect under applicable State or local law on March 3, 1983; or

(b) if the applicable State or local law was enacted after the date of enactment of the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act Amendments of 1996 (P.L. 104-208), the age of retirement in effect on the date of such discharge under such law.

This paragraph (7) shall not apply with respect to any cause of action arising under the Illinois Human Rights Act as in effect prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997. (8) Police and Firefighter/Paramedic Appointment. Failing or refusing to hire any individual because of such individual's age if such action is taken with respect to the employment of an individual as a firefighter/paramedic or as a law enforcement officer and the individual has attained:

(a) the age of hiring or appointment in effect under applicable State or local law on March 3, 1983; or

(b) the age of hiring in effect on the date of such failure or refusal to hire under applicable State or local law enacted after the date of enactment of the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act Amendments of 1996 (P.L. 104-208).

As used in paragraph (7) or (8):

"Firefighter/paramedic" means an employee, the duties of whose position are primarily to perform work directly connected with the control and extinguishment of fires or the maintenance and use of firefighting apparatus and equipment, or to provide emergency medical services, including an employee engaged in this activity who is transferred to a supervisory or administrative position.

"Law enforcement officer" means an employee, the duties of whose position are primarily the investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of criminal offenses, including an employee engaged in this activity who is transferred to a supervisory or administrative position.

(9) Citizenship Status. Making legitimate distinctions based on citizenship status if specifically authorized or required by State or federal law.

(B) With respect to any employee who is subject to a collective bargaining agreement:

(a) which is in effect on June 30, 1986,

(b) which terminates after January 1, 1987,

(c) any provision of which was entered into by a labor organization as defined by Section 6(d)(4) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(d)(4)), and

(d) which contains any provision that would be superseded by this amendatory Act of 1987 (Public Act 85-748), such amendatory Act of 1987 shall not apply until the termination of such collective bargaining agreement or January 1, 1990, whichever occurs first.

(C)

(1) For purposes of this Act, the term "handicap" shall not include any employee or applicant who is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs, when an employer acts on the basis of such use.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply where an employee or applicant for employment:

(a) has successfully completed a supervised drug rehabilitation program and is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs, or has otherwise been rehabilitated successfully and is no longer engaging in such use;

(b) is participating in a supervised rehabilitation program and is no longer engaging in such use; or

(c) is erroneously regarded as engaging in such use, but is not engaging in such use.

It shall not be a violation of this Act for an employer to adopt or administer reasonable policies or procedures, including but not limited to drug testing, designed to ensure that an individual described in subparagraph (a) or (b) is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs.

(3) An employer:

(a) may prohibit the illegal use of drugs and the use of alcohol at the workplace by all employees;

(b) may require that employees shall not be under the influence of alcohol or be engaging in the illegal use of drugs at the workplace;

(c) may require that employees behave in conformance with the requirements established under the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (11 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) and the Drug Free Workplace Act;

(d) may hold an employee who engages in the illegal use of drugs or who is an alcoholic to the same qualification standards for employment or job performance and behavior that such employer holds other employees, even if any unsatisfactory performance or behavior is related to the drug use or alcoholism of such employee; and

(e) may, with respect to federal regulations regarding alcohol and the illegal use of drugs, require that:

(i) employees comply with the standards established in such regulations of the United States Department of Defense, if the employees of the employer are employed in an industry subject to such regulations, including complying with regulations (if any) that apply to employment in sensitive positions in such an industry, in the case of employees of the employer who are employed in such positions (as defined in the regulations of the Department of Defense);

(ii) employees comply with the standards established in such regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, if the employees of the employer are employed in an industry subject to such regulations, including complying with regulations (if any) that apply to employment in sensitive positions in such an industry, in the case of employees of the employer who are employed in such positions (as defined in the regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission); and

(iii) employees comply with the standards established in such regulations of the United States Department of Transportation, if the employees of the employer are employed in a transportation industry subject to such regulations, including complying with such regulations (if any) that apply to employment in sensitive positions in such an industry, in the case of employees of the employer who are employed in such positions (as defined in the regulations of the United States Department of Transportation).

(4) For purposes of this Act, a test to determine the illegal use of drugs shall not be considered a medical examination. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to encourage, prohibit, or authorize the conducting of drug testing for the illegal use of drugs by job applicants or employees or making employment decisions based on such test results.

(5) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to encourage, prohibit, restrict, or authorize the otherwise lawful exercise by an employer subject to the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Transportation of authority to:

(a) test employees of such employer in, and applicants for, positions involving safety-sensitive duties for the illegal use of drugs and for on-duty impairment by alcohol; and

(b) remove such persons who test positive for illegal use of drugs and on-duty impairment by alcohol pursuant to subparagraph (a) from safety-sensitive duties in implementing paragraph (3).

(775 ILCS 5/2-105)
Sec. 2-105. Equal Employment Opportunities; Affirmative Action.

(A) Public Contracts. Every party to a public contract and every eligible bidder shall:

(1) Refrain from unlawful discrimination and discrimination based on citizenship status in employment and undertake affirmative action to assure equality of employment opportunity and eliminate the effects of past discrimination;

(2) Comply with the procedures and requirements of the Department's regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action;

(3) Provide such information, with respect to its employees and applicants for employment, and assistance as the Department may reasonably request;

(4) Have written sexual harassment policies that shall include, at a minimum, the following information: (i) the illegality of sexual harassment; (ii) the definition of sexual harassment under State law; (iii) a description of sexual harassment, utilizing examples; (iv) the vendor's internal complaint process including penalties; (v) the legal recourse, investigative and complaint process available through the Department and the Commission; (vi) directions on how to contact the Department and Commission; and (vii) protection against retaliation as provided by Section 6-101 of this Act. A copy of the policies shall be provided to the Department upon request.

(B) State Agencies. Every State executive department, State agency, board, commission, and instrumentality shall:

(1) Comply with the procedures and requirements of the Department's regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action;

(2) Provide such information and assistance as the Department may request.

(3) Establish, maintain, and carry out a continuing affirmative action plan consistent with this Act and the regulations of the Department designed to promote equal opportunity for all State residents in every aspect of agency personnel policy and practice. For purposes of these affirmative action plans, the race and national origin categories to be included in the plans are: African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native American, Asian, and any other category as required by Department rule. This plan shall include a current detailed status report:

(a) indicating, by each position in State service, the number, percentage, and average salary of individuals employed by race, national origin, sex and disability, and any other category that the Department may require by rule;

(b) identifying all positions in which the percentage of the people employed by race, national origin, sex and disability, and any other category that the Department may require by rule, is less than four-fifths of the percentage of each of those components in the State work force;

(c) specifying the goals and methods for increasing the percentage by race, national origin, sex and disability, and any other category that the Department may require by rule, in State positions;

(d) indicating progress and problems toward meeting equal employment opportunity goals, including, if applicable, but not limited to, Department of Central Management Services recruitment efforts, publicity, promotions, and use of options designating positions by linguistic abilities;

(e) establishing a numerical hiring goal for the employment of qualified persons with disabilities in the agency as a whole, to be based on the proportion of people with work disabilities in the Illinois labor force as reflected in the most recent decennial Census.

(4) If the agency has 1000 or more employees, appoint a full-time Equal Employment Opportunity officer, subject to the Department's approval, whose duties shall include:

(a) Advising the head of the particular State agency with respect to the preparation of equal employment opportunity programs, procedures, regulations, reports, and the agency's affirmative action plan.

(b) Evaluating in writing each fiscal year the sufficiency of the total agency program for equal employment opportunity and reporting thereon to the head of the agency with recommendations as to any improvement or correction in recruiting, hiring or promotion needed, including remedial or disciplinary action with respect to managerial or supervisory employees who have failed to cooperate fully or who are in violation of the program.

(c) Making changes in recruitment, training and promotion programs and in hiring and promotion procedures designed to eliminate discriminatory practices when authorized.

(d) Evaluating tests, employment policies, practices and qualifications and reporting to the head of the agency and to the Department any policies, practices and qualifications that have unequal impact by race, national origin as required by Department rule, sex or disability or any other category that the Department may require by rule, and to assist in the recruitment of people in underrepresented classifications. This function shall be performed in cooperation with the State Department of Central Management Services.

(e) Making any aggrieved employee or applicant for employment aware of his or her remedies under this Act. In any meeting, investigation, negotiation, conference, or other proceeding between a State employee and an Equal Employment Opportunity officer, a State employee:

(1) who is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement and

(2) who is the complaining party or the subject of such proceeding may be accompanied, advised and represented by:

(1) an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois or

(2) a representative of an employee organization whose membership is composed of employees of the State and of which the employee is a member. A representative of an employee, other than an attorney, may observe but may not actively participate, or advise the State employee during the course of such meeting, investigation, negotiation, conference or other proceeding.

Nothing in this Section shall be construed to permit any person who is not licensed to practice law in Illinois to deliver any legal services or otherwise engage in any activities that would constitute the unauthorized practice of law. Any representative of an employee who is present with the consent of the employee, shall not, during or after termination of the relationship permitted by this Section with the State employee, use or reveal any information obtained during the course of the meeting, investigation, negotiation, conference or other proceeding without the consent of the complaining party and any State employee who is the subject of the proceeding and pursuant to rules and regulations governing confidentiality of such information as promulgated by the appropriate State agency. Intentional or reckless disclosure of information in violation of these confidentiality requirements shall constitute a Class B misdemeanor.

(5) Establish, maintain and carry out a continuing sexual harassment program that shall include the following:

(a) Develop a written sexual harassment policy that includes at a minimum the following information:

(i) the illegality of sexual harassment;

(ii) the definition of sexual harassment under State law;

(iii) a description of sexual harassment, utilizing examples;

(iv) the agency's internal complaint process including penalties;

(v) the legal recourse, investigative and complaint process available through the Department and the Commission;

(vi) directions on how to contact the Department and Commission; and

(vii) protection against retaliation as provided by Section 6-101 of this Act. The policy shall be reviewed annually.

(b) Post in a prominent and accessible location and distribute in a manner to assure notice to all agency employees without exception the agency's sexual harassment policy. Such documents may meet, but shall not exceed, the 6th grade literacy level. Distribution shall be effectuated within 90 days of the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1992 and shall occur annually thereafter.

(c) Provide training on sexual harassment prevention and the agency's sexual harassment policy as a component of all ongoing or new employee training programs.

(6) Notify the Department 30 days before effecting any layoff. Once notice is given, the following shall occur:

(a) No layoff may be effective earlier than 10 working days after notice to the Department, unless an emergency layoff situation exists.

(b) The State executive department, State agency, board, commission, or instrumentality in which the layoffs are to occur must notify each employee targeted for layoff, the employee's union representative (if applicable), and the State Dislocated Worker Unit at the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs.

(c) The State executive department, State agency, board, commission, or instrumentality in which the layoffs are to occur must conform to applicable collective bargaining agreements.

(d) The State executive department, State agency, board, commission, or instrumentality in which the layoffs are to occur should notify each employee targeted for layoff that transitional assistance may be available to him or her under the Economic Dislocation and Worker Adjustment Assistance Act administered by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. Failure to give such notice shall not invalidate the layoff or postpone its effective date.

As used in this subsection (B), "disability" shall be defined in rules promulgated under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(C) Civil Rights Violations.

It is a civil rights violation for any public contractor or eligible bidder to:

(1) fail to comply with the public contractor's or eligible bidder's duty to refrain from unlawful discrimination and discrimination based on citizenship status in employment under subsection (A)(1) of this Section; or

(2) fail to comply with the public contractor's or eligible bidder's duties of affirmative action under subsection (A) of this Section, provided however, that the Department has notified the public contractor or eligible bidder in writing by certified mail that the public contractor or eligible bidder may not be in compliance with affirmative action requirements of subsection (A). A minimum of 60 days to comply with the requirements shall be afforded to the public contractor or eligible bidder before the Department may issue formal notice of non-compliance.

(775 ILCS 5/3-106) (from Ch. 68, par. 3-106)
Sec. 3-106. Exemptions. Nothing contained in Section 3-102 shall prohibit:

1. Private Sales of Single Family Homes. Any sale of a single family home by its owner so long as the following criteria are met:
   1. The owner does not own or have a beneficial interest in more than three single family homes at the time of the sale;
   2. The owner or a member of his or her family was the last current resident of the home;
   3. The home is sold without the use in any manner of the sales or rental facilities or services of any real estate broker or salesman, or of any employee or agent of any real estate broker or salesman;
   4. The home is sold without the publication, posting or mailing, after notice, of any advertisement or written notice in violation of paragraph (F) of Section 3-102.
2. Apartments. Rental of a housing accommodation in a building which contains housing accommodations for not more than five families living independently of each other, if the lessor or a member of his or her family resides in one of the housing accommodations;
3. Private Rooms. Rental of a room or rooms in a private home by an owner if he or she or a member of his or her family resides therein or, while absent for a period of not more than twelve months, if he or she or a member of his or her family intends to return to reside therein;
4. Reasonable local, State, or Federal restrictions regarding the maximum number of occupants permitted to occupy a dwelling.
5. Religious Organizations. A religious organization, association, or society, or any nonprofit institution or organization operated, supervised or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association, or society, from limiting the sale, rental or occupancy of a dwelling which it owns or operates for other than a commercial purpose to persons of the same religion, or from giving preference to such persons, unless membership in such religion is restricted on account of race, color, or national origin.
6. Sex. Restricting the rental of rooms in a housing accommodation to persons of one sex.
7. Persons Convicted of Drug-Related Offenses. Conduct against a person because such person has been convicted by any court of competent jurisdiction of the illegal manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance as defined in Section 102 of the federal Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802).
8. Persons engaged in the business of furnishing appraisals of real property from taking into consideration factors other than those based on unlawful discrimination or familial status in furnishing appraisals.
   (H-1) The owner of an owner-occupied residential building with 5 or fewer units (including the unit in which the owner resides) from making decisions regarding whether to rent to a person based upon that person's sexual orientation.
9. Housing for Older Persons. No provision in this Article regarding familial status shall apply with respect to housing for older persons.
   1. As used in this Section, "housing for older persons" means housing:
      1. provided under any State or Federal program that the Department determines is specifically designed and operated to assist elderly persons (as defined in the State or Federal program); or
      2. intended for, and solely occupied by, persons 62 years of age or older; or
      3. intended and operated for occupancy by persons 55 years of age or older and:
         1. at least 80% of the occupied units are occupied by at least one person who is 55 years of age or older;
         2. the housing facility or community publishes and adheres to policies and procedures that demonstrate the intent required under this subdivision (c); and
         3. the housing facility or community complies with rules adopted by the Department for verification of occupancy, which shall:
            1. provide for verification by reliable surveys and affidavits; and
            2. include examples of the types of policies and procedures relevant to a determination of compliance with the requirement of clause (ii). These surveys and affidavits shall be admissible in administrative and judicial proceedings for the purposes of such verification.
   2. Housing shall not fail to meet the requirements for housing for older persons by reason of:
      1. persons residing in such housing as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989 who do not meet the age requirements of subsections (1)(b) or (c); provided, that new occupants of such housing meet the age requirements of subsections (1)(b) or (c) of this subsection; or
      2. unoccupied units; provided, that such units are reserved for occupancy by persons who meet the age requirements of subsections (1)(b) or (c) of this subsection.
   3. 1. A person shall not be held personally liable for monetary damages for a violation of this Article if the person reasonably relied, in good faith, on the application of the exemption under this subsection (I) relating to housing for older persons.
      2. For the purposes of this item (3), a person may show good faith reliance on the application of the exemption only by showing that:
         1. the person has no actual knowledge that the facility or community is not, or will not be, eligible for the exemption; and
         2. the facility or community has stated formally, in writing, that the facility or community complies with the requirements for the exemption.

(775 ILCS 5/6-101)
Sec. 6-101. Additional civil rights violation.
It is a civil rights violation for a person, or for two or more persons to conspire, to:

(A) Retaliation. Retaliate against a person because he or she has opposed that which he or she reasonably and in good faith believes to be unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment in employment or sexual harassment in higher education, discrimination based on citizenship status in employment, or because he or she has made a charge, filed a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Act;

(B) Aiding and Abetting; Coercion. Aid, abet, compel or coerce a person to commit any violation of this Act;

(C) Interference. Wilfully interfere with the performance of a duty or the exercise of a power by the Commission or One of its members or representatives or the Department or one of its officers or employees.

(D) Definitions. For the purposes of this Section, "sexual harassment" and "citizenship status" shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 2-101 of this Act.

(775 ILCS 5/8A-104)
Sec. 8A-104. Violation; Relief; Penalties.

Upon finding a civil rights violation, a hearing officer may recommend and the Commission or any three-member panel thereof may provide for any relief or penalty identified in this Section, separately or in combination, by entering an order directing the respondent to:

(A) Cease and Desist Order. Cease and desist from any violation of this Act.

(B) Actual Damages. Pay actual damages, as reasonably determined by the Commission, for injury or loss suffered by the complainant.

(C) Hiring; Reinstatement; Promotion; Backpay; Fringe Benefits. Hire, reinstate or upgrade the complainant with or without back pay or provide such fringe benefits as the complainant may have been denied.

(D) Restoration of Membership; Admission To Programs. Admit or restore the complainant to labor organization membership, to a guidance program, apprenticeship training program, on the job training program, or other occupational training or retraining program.

(E) Public Accommodations. Admit the complainant to a public accommodation.

(F) Services. Extend to the complainant the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of the respondent.

(G) Attorneys Fees; Costs. Pay to the complainant all or a portion of the costs of maintaining the action, including reasonable attorney fees and expert witness fees incurred in maintaining this action before the Department, the Commission and in any judicial review and judicial enforcement proceedings. Provided, however, that no award of attorney fees or costs shall be made pursuant to this amendatory Act of 1987 with respect to any charge for which the complaint before the Commission was filed prior to December 1, 1987. With respect to all charges for which complaints were filed with the Commission prior to December 1, 1987, attorney fees and costs shall be awarded pursuant to the terms of this subsection as it existed prior to revision by this amendatory Act of 1987.

(H) Compliance Report. Report as to the manner of compliance.

(I) Posting of Notices. Post notices in a conspicuous place which the Commission may publish or cause to be published setting forth requirements for compliance with this Act or other relevant information which the Commission determines necessary to explain this Act.

(J) Make Complainant Whole. Take such action as may be necessary to make the individual complainant whole, including, but not limited to, awards of interest on the complainant's actual damages and backpay from the date of the civil rights violation. Provided, however, that no award of prejudgment interest shall be made pursuant to this amendatory Act of 1987 with respect to any charge in which the complaint before the Commission was filed prior to December 1, 1987. With respect to all charges for which complaints were filed with the Commission prior to December 1, 1987, make whole relief shall be awarded pursuant to this subsection as it existed prior to revision by this amendatory Act of 1987.

There shall be no distinction made under this Section between complaints filed by the Department and those filed by the aggrieved party.)

This Act may be cited as the Illinois Civil Rights Act of 2003.

(740 ILCS 23/1)
Sec. 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the Illinois Civil Rights Act of 2003.

Sec. 5. Discrimination prohibited.

(a) No unit of State, county, or local government in
Illinois shall:

(1) exclude a person from participation in, deny a person the benefits of, or subject a person to discrimination under any program or activity on the grounds of that person's race, color, national origin, or gender; or
(2) utilize criteria or methods of administration that have the effect of subjecting individuals to discrimination because of their race, color, national origin, or gender.

(b) Any party aggrieved by conduct that violates subsection (a) may bring a civil lawsuit, in a federal district court or State circuit court, against the offending unit of government. Any State claim brought in federal district court shall be a supplemental claim to a federal claim. This lawsuit must be brought not later than 2 years after the violation of subsection (a). If the court finds that a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) has occurred, the court may award to the plaintiff actual damages. The court, as it deems appropriate, may grant as relief any permanent or preliminary negative or mandatory injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order.
(c) Upon motion, a court shall award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, including expert witness fees and other litigation expenses, to a plaintiff who is a prevailing party in any action brought:

(1) pursuant to subsection (b); or
(2) to enforce a right arising under the Illinois Constitution. In awarding reasonable attorneys' fees, the court shall consider the degree to which the relief obtained relates to the relief sought.

(d) For the purpose of this Act, the term "prevailing party" includes any party:

(1) who obtains some of his or her requested relief through a judicial judgment in his or her favor;
(2) who obtains some of his or her requested relief through any settlement agreement approved by the court; or
(3) whose pursuit of a non-frivolous claim was a catalyst for a unilateral change in position by the opposing party relative to the relief sought.

(775 ILCS 5/8A-104)
Sec. 8A-104. Violation; Relief; Penalties.

Upon finding a civil rights violation, a hearing officer may recommend and the Commission or any three-member panel thereof may provide for any relief or penalty identified in this Section, separately or in combination, by entering an order directing the respondent to:

(A) Cease and Desist Order. Cease and desist from any violation of this Act.

(B) Actual Damages. Pay actual damages, as reasonably determined by the Commission, for injury or loss suffered by the complainant.

(C) Hiring; Reinstatement; Promotion; Backpay; Fringe Benefits. Hire, reinstate or upgrade the complainant with or without back pay or provide such fringe benefits as the complainant may have been denied.

(D) Restoration of Membership; Admission To Programs. Admit or restore the complainant to labor organization membership, to a guidance program, apprenticeship training program, on the job training program, or other occupational training or retraining program.

(E) Public Accommodations. Admit the complainant to a public accommodation.

(F) Services. Extend to the complainant the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of the respondent.

(G) Attorneys Fees; Costs. Pay to the complainant all or a portion of the costs of maintaining the action, including reasonable attorney fees and expert witness fees incurred in maintaining this action before the Department, the Commission and in any judicial review and judicial enforcement proceedings. Provided, however, that no award of attorney fees or costs shall be made pursuant to this amendatory Act of 1987 with respect to any charge for which the complaint before the Commission was filed prior to December 1, 1987. With respect to all charges for which complaints were filed with the Commission prior to December 1, 1987, attorney fees and costs shall be awarded pursuant to the terms of this subsection as it existed prior to revision by this amendatory Act of 1987.

(H) Compliance Report. Report as to the manner of compliance.

(I) Posting of Notices. Post notices in a conspicuous place which the Commission may publish or cause to be published setting forth requirements for compliance with this Act or other relevant information which the Commission determines necessary to explain this Act.

(J) Make Complainant Whole. Take such action as may be necessary to make the individual complainant whole, including, but not limited to, awards of interest on the complainant's actual damages and backpay from the date of the civil rights violation. Provided, however, that no award of prejudgment interest shall be made pursuant to this amendatory Act of 1987 with respect to any charge in which the complaint before the Commission was filed prior to December 1, 1987. With respect to all charges for which complaints were filed with the Commission prior to December 1, 1987, make whole relief shall be awarded pursuant to this subsection as it existed prior to revision by this amendatory Act of 1987.

There shall be no distinction made under this Section between complaints filed by the Department and those filed by the aggrieved party.

Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act.

(820 ILCS 55/1)

Sec. 55/1. Title.

This Act may be cited as the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act.

Sec. 55/5. Use of lawful products; Discrimination prohibited.

(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided by law and except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this Section, it shall be unlawful for an employer to refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise disadvantage any individual, with respect to compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment because the individual uses lawful products off the premises of the employer during nonworking hours.

(b) This Section does not apply to any employer that is a non-profit organization that, as one of its primary purposes or objectives, discourages the use of one or more lawful products by the general public. This Section does not apply to the use of those lawful products which impairs an employee's ability to perform the employee's assigned duties.

(c) It is not a violation of this Section for an employer to offer, impose or have in effect a health, disability or life insurance policy that makes distinctions between employees for the type of coverage or the price of coverage based upon the employees' use of lawful products provided that:

(1) differential premium rates charged employees reflect a differential cost to the employer; and

(2) employers provide employees with a statement delineating the differential rates used by insurance carriers.

Sec. 55/10. Prohibited inquiries by employer.

It shall be unlawful for any employer to inquire, in a written application or in any other manner, of any prospective employee or of the prospective employee's previous employers, whether that prospective employee has ever filed a claim for benefits under the Workers' Compensation Act1 or Workers' Occupational Diseases Act2 or received benefits under these Acts.

Sec. 55/15. Administration and enforcement of act.

(a) The Director of Labor or his authorized representative shall administer and enforce the provisions of this Act. The Director of Labor may issue rules and regulations necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this Act.

(b) If an employee or applicant for employment alleges that he or she has been denied his or her rights under this Act, he or she may file a complaint with the Department of Labor. The Department shall investigate the complaint and shall have authority to request the issuance of a search warrant or subpoena to inspect the files of the employer or prospective employer, if necessary. The Department shall attempt to resolve the complaint by conference, conciliation, or persuasion. If the complaint is not so resolved and the Department finds the employer or prospective employer has violated the Act, the Department may commence an action in the circuit court to enforce the provisions of this Act including an action to compel compliance. The circuit court for the county in which the complainant resides or in which the complainant is employed shall have jurisdiction in such actions.

(c) If an employer or prospective employer violates this Act, an employee or applicant for employment may commence an action in the circuit court to enforce the provisions of this Act, including actions to compel compliance, where efforts to resolve the employee's or applicant for employment's complaint concerning the violation by conference, conciliation or persuasion under subsection (b) have failed and the Department has not commenced an action in circuit court to redress the violation. The circuit court for the county in which the complainant resides or in which the complainant is employed shall have jurisdiction in such actions.

(d) Failure to comply with an order of the court may be punished as contempt. In addition, the court shall award an employee or applicant for employment prevailing in an action under this Act the following damages:

(1) Actual damages plus costs.

(2) For a willful and knowing violation of this Act, $200 plus costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and actual damages.

(e) Any employer or prospective employer or his agent who violates the provisions of this Act is guilty of a petty offense.

(f) Any employer or prospective employer, or the officer or agent of any employer or prospective employer, who discharges or in any other manner discriminates against any employee or applicant for employment because that employee or applicant for employment has made a complaint to his employer, or to the Director or his authorized representative, or because that employee or applicant for employment has caused to be instituted or is about to cause to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this Act, or because that employee or applicant for employment has testified or is about to testify in an investigation or proceeding under this Act, is guilty of a petty offense.

Sec. 55/20. Complaints; Dismissal.

The Director or any court of competent jurisdiction shall summarily dismiss any complaint alleging a violation of this Act which states as the sole cause of the complaint that the employer offered a health, disability, or life insurance policy that makes a distinction between employees for the type of coverage or the price of coverage based upon the employees' use of lawful products.

Equal Wage Act

820 ILCS 110/

Sec. 1. Unlawful acts.

Any employer of 6 or more persons in this State engaged in the manufacture of any article, who shall pay any person engaged in such manufacture an unequal wage for equal work, by time or piece work, than is being paid to any other person employed in such manufacture, shall be guilty of a petty offense and shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $100; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall prohibit a variation in rates of pay based upon either difference in seniority, experience, training, skill or ability, or difference in duties or services performed (whether regularly or occasionally), or difference in availability for other operations, or any other reasonable classification, excepting difference in sex. Provided, further, that nothing herein contained shall prohibit such variation where the same is authorized by a contract between an employer and a recognized bargaining agent.

Sec. 2. Time to sue.

Any action based upon or arising under this Act shall be instituted within six months after the date of the alleged violation.

Equal Pay Act of 2003.
Chapter 820 ILCS 112 -- Effective Jan. 1, 2004

Section 1. Short Title.

This Act may be cited as the Equal Pay Act of 2003.

Section 5. Definitions.

As used in this Act: "Director" means the Director of Labor. "Department" means the Department of Labor. "Employee" means any individual permitted to work by an employer. "Employer" means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, business, trust, person, or entity for whom 4 or more employees are gainfully employed in Illinois and includes the State of Illinois, any state officer, department, or agency, any unit of local government, and any school district.

Section 10. Prohibited acts.

(a) No employer may discriminate between employees on the basis of sex by paying wages to an employee at a rate less than the rate at which the employer pays wages to another employee of the opposite sex for the same or substantially similar work on jobs the performance of which requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility, and which are performed under similar working conditions, except where the payment is made under:

(1) a seniority system;

(2) a merit system;

(3) a system that measures earnings by quantity or quality of production; or

(4) a differential based on any other factor other than:

(i) sex or
(ii) a factor that would constitute unlawful discrimination under the Illinois Human Rights Act. An employer who is paying wages in violation of this Act may not, to comply with this Act, reduce the wages of any other employee. Nothing in this Act may be construed to require an employer to pay, to any employee at a workplace in a particular county, wages that are equal to the wages paid by that employer at a workplace in another county to employees in jobs the performance of which requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility, and which are performed under similar working conditions.

(b) It is unlawful for any employer to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of or the attempt to exercise any right provided under this Act. It is unlawful for any employer to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against any individual for inquiring about, disclosing, comparing, or otherwise discussing the employee's wages or the wages of any other employee, or aiding or encouraging any person to exercise his or her rights under this Act.

(c) It is unlawful for any person to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against any individual because the individual:

(1) has filed any charge or has instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this Act;

(2) has given, or is about to give, any information in connection with any inquiry or proceeding relating to any right provided under this Act; or

(3) has testified, or is about to testify, in any inquiry or proceeding relating to any right provided under this Act.

Section 15. Enforcement.

The Director or his or her authorized representative shall administer and enforce the provisions of this Act. The Director of Labor shall adopt rules necessary to administer and enforce this Act. The Department has the power to conduct investigations in connection with the administration and enforcement of this Act and the authorized officers and employees of the Department are authorized to investigate and gather data regarding the wages, hours, and other conditions and practices of employment in any industry subject to this Act, and may enter and inspect such places and such records at reasonable times during regular business hours, question the employees and investigate the facts, conditions, practices, or matters as he or she may deem necessary or appropriate to determine whether any person has violated any provision of this Act, or which may aid in the enforcement of this Act.

Section 20. Recordkeeping requirements.

An employer subject to any provision of this Act shall make and preserve records that document the name, address, and occupation of each employee, the wages paid to each employee, and any other information the Director may by rule deem necessary and appropriate for enforcement of this Act. An employer subject to any provision of this Act shall preserve those records for a period of not less than 3 years and shall make reports from the records as prescribed by rule or order of the Director.

Section 25. Witnesses; subpoena.

The Director of Labor or his or her authorized representative may administer oaths, take or cause to be taken the depositions of witnesses, and require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of all books, records, and other evidence relative to the matter under investigation. A subpoena issued under this Section shall be signed and issued by the Director of Labor or his or her authorized representative. In case of failure of any person to comply with any subpoena lawfully issued under this Section or on the refusal of any witness to produce evidence or to testify to any matter regarding which he or she may be lawfully interrogated, it is the duty of any circuit court, upon application of the Director, or his or her authorized representative, to compel obedience by proceedings for contempt, as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued by such court or a refusal to testify therein. The Director may certify to official acts.

Section 30. Violations; fines and penalties.

(a) If an employee is paid by his or her employer less than the wage to which he or she is entitled in violation of Section 10 of this Act, the employee may recover in a civil action the entire amount of any underpayment together with interest and the costs and reasonable attorney's fees as may be allowed by the court and as necessary to make the employee whole. At the request of the employee or on a motion of the Director, the Department may make an assignment of the wage claim in trust for the assigning employee and may bring any legal action necessary to collect the claim, and the employer shall be required to pay the costs incurred in collecting the claim. Every such action shall be brought within 3 years from the date the employee learned of the underpayment.

(b) The Director is authorized to supervise the payment of the unpaid wages owing to any employee or employees under this Act and may bring any legal action necessary to recover the amount of unpaid wages and penalties and the employer shall be required to pay the costs. Any sums recovered by the Director on behalf of an employee under this Section shall be paid to the employee or employees affected.

(c) Any employer who violates any provision of this Act or any rule adopted under the Act is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500 for each violation for each employee affected, except that any employer or person who violates subsection (b) or (c) of Section 10 is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for each violation for each employee affected. In determining the amount of the penalty, the appropriateness of the penalty to the size of the business of the employer charged and the gravity of the violation shall be considered. The penalty may be recovered in a civil action brought by the Director in any circuit court.  [Effective 1/1/2012]

Section 35. Refusal to pay wages or final compensation; retaliatory discharge or discrimination.

(a) Any employer who has been ordered by the Director of Labor or the court to pay wages due an employee and who fails to do so within 15 days after the order is entered is liable to pay a penalty of 1% per calendar day to the employee for each day of delay in paying the wages to the employee, up to an amount equal to twice the sum of unpaid wages due the employee.

(b) Any employer, or any agent of an employer, who knowingly discharges or in any other manner knowingly discriminates against any employee because that employee has made a complaint to his or her employer, or to the Director or his or her authorized representative, that he or she or any employee of the employer has not been paid in accordance with the provisions of this Act, or because that employee has instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this Act or consulted counsel for such purposes, or because that employee has testified or is about to testify in an investigation or proceeding under this Act, or offers any evidence of any violation of this Act, shall be liable to the employee for such legal and equitable relief as may be appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this Section, the value of any lost benefits, backpay, and front pay as appropriate so long as the employee has made reasonable efforts to mitigate his or her damages and an additional equal amount as liquidated damages.

Section 40. Notification.

Every employer covered by this Act shall post and keep posted, in conspicuous places on the premises of the employer where notices to employees are customarily posted, a notice, to be prepared or approved by the Director, summarizing the requirements of this Act and information pertaining to the filing of a charge. The Director shall furnish copies of summaries and rules to employers upon request without charge.

Section 45. Outreach and education efforts.

The Department of Labor shall conduct ongoing outreach and education efforts concerning this Act targeted toward employers, labor organizations, and other appropriate organizations. In addition, the Department of Labor shall conduct studies and provide information biennially to employers, labor organizations, and the general public concerning the means available to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, including:

(1) conducting and promoting research to develop the means to correct the conditions leading to the pay disparities;

(2) publishing and otherwise making available to employers, labor organizations, professional associations, educational institutions, the legislature, the media, and the general public the findings resulting from studies and other materials, relating to the pay disparities;

(3) providing information to employers, labor organizations, and other interested persons on the means of eliminating pay disparities; and

(4) developing guidelines to enable employers to evaluate job categories based on objective criteria such as educational requirements, skill requirements, independence, working conditions, and responsibility. These guidelines shall be designed to enable employers to voluntarily compare wages paid for different jobs to determine if the pay scales involved adequately and fairly reflect the educational requirements, skill requirements, independence, working conditions, and responsibility for each such job with the goal of eliminating unfair pay disparities between occupations traditionally dominated by men or women.

Section 50. Annual Report.

The Department shall file with the Governor and the General Assembly, no later than January 1 of each year, a report of its activities regarding administration and enforcement of this Act for the preceding fiscal year.

Section 90. Severability.

The provisions of this Act are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.

Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act.

Section 5.
Findings. The General Assembly finds and declares the following:

(1) Domestic and sexual violence affects many persons without regard to age, race, educational level, socioeconomic status, religion, or occupation.

(2) Domestic and sexual violence has a devastating effect on individuals, families, communities and the workplace.

(3) Domestic violence crimes account for approximately 15% of total crime costs in the United States each year.

(4) Violence against women has been reported to be the leading cause of physical injury to women. Such violence has a devastating impact on women's physical and emotional health and financial security.

(5) According to recent government surveys, from 1993 through 1998 the average annual number of violent victimizations committed by intimate partners was 1,082,110, 87% of which were committed against women.

(6) Female murder victims were substantially more likely than male murder victims to have been killed by an intimate partner. About one-third of female murder victims, and about 4% of male murder victims, were killed by an intimate partner.

(7) According to recent government estimates, approximately 987,400 rapes occur annually in the United States, 89% of the rapes are perpetrated against female victims.

(8) Approximately 10,200,000 people have been stalked at some time in their lives. Four out of every 5 stalking victims are women. Stalkers harass and terrorize their victims by spying on the victims, standing outside their places of work or homes, making unwanted phone calls, sending or leaving unwanted letters or items, or vandalizing property.

(9) Employees in the United States who have been victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking too often suffer adverse consequences in the workplace as a result of their victimization.

(10) Victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking face the threat of job loss and loss of health insurance as a result of the illegal acts of the perpetrators of violence.

(11) The prevalence of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other violence against women at work is dramatic. Approximately 11% of all rapes occur in the workplace. About 50,500 individuals, 83% of whom are women, were raped or sexually assaulted in the workplace each year from 1992 through 1996. Half of all female victims of violent workplace crimes know their attackers. Nearly one out of 10 violent workplace incidents is committed by partners or spouses.

(12) Homicide is the leading cause of death for women on the job. Husbands, boyfriends, and ex-partners commit 15% of workplace homicides against women.

(13) Studies indicate that as much as 74% of employed battered women surveyed were harassed at work by their abusive partners.

(14) According to a 1998 report of the U.S. General Accounting Office, between one-fourth and one-half of domestic violence victims surveyed in 3 studies reported that the victims lost a job due, at least in part, to domestic violence.

(15) Women who have experienced domestic violence or dating violence are more likely than other women to be unemployed, to suffer from health problems that can affect employability and job performance, to report lower personal income, and to rely on welfare.

(16) Abusers frequently seek to control their partners by actively interfering with their ability to work, including preventing their partners from going to work, harassing their partners at work, limiting the access of their partners to cash or transportation, and sabotaging the child care arrangements of their partners.

(17) More than one-half of women receiving welfare have been victims of domestic violence as adults and between one-fourth and one-third reported being abused in the last year.

(18) Sexual assault, whether occurring in or out of the workplace, can impair an employee's work performance, require time away from work, and undermine the employee's ability to maintain a job. Almost 50% of sexual assault survivors lose their jobs or are forced to quit in the aftermath of the assaults.

(19) More than one-fourth of stalking victims report losing time from work due to the stalking and 7% never return to work.

(20)

(A) According to the National Institute of Justice, crime costs an estimated $450,000,000,000 annually in medical expenses, lost earnings, social service costs, pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life for victims, which harms the Nation's productivity and drains the Nation's resources.

(B) Violent crime accounts for $426,000,000,000 per year of this amount.

(C) Rape exacts the highest costs per victim of any criminal offense, and accounts for $127,000,000,000 per year of the amount described in subparagraph (A)

(21) The Bureau of National Affairs has estimated that domestic violence costs United States employers between $3,000,000,000 and $5,000,000,000 annually in lost time and productivity. Other reports have estimated that domestic violence costs United States employers $13,000,000,000 annually.

(22) United States medical costs for domestic violence have been estimated to be $31,000,000,000 per year.

(23) Ninety-four percent of corporate security and safety directors at companies nationwide rank domestic violence as a high security concern.

(24) Forty-nine percent of senior executives recently surveyed said domestic violence has a harmful effect on their company's productivity, 47% said domestic violence negatively affects attendance, and 44% said domestic violence increases health care costs.

(25) Employees, including individuals participating in welfare to work programs, may need to take time during business hours to:

(A) obtain orders of protection;

(B) seek medical or legal assistance, counseling, or other services; or

(C) look for housing in order to escape from domestic violence.

Section 10.
Definitions. In this Act, except as otherwise expressly provided:

(1) "Commerce" includes trade, traffic, commerce, transportation, or communication; and "industry or activity affecting commerce" means any activity, business, or industry in commerce or in which a labor dispute would hinder or obstruct commerce or the free flow of commerce, and includes "commerce" and any "industry affecting commerce".

(2) "Course of conduct" means a course of repeatedly maintaining a visual or physical proximity to a person or conveying oral or written threats, including threats conveyed through electronic communications, or threats implied by conduct.

(3) "Department" means the Department of Labor.

(4) "Director" means the Director of Labor.

(5) "Domestic or sexual violence" means domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

(6) "Domestic violence" includes acts or threats of violence, not including acts of self defense, as defined in subdivision

(3) of Section 103 of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, sexual assault, or death to the person, or the person's family or household member, if the conduct causes the specific person to have such distress or fear.

(7) "Electronic communications" includes communications via telephone, mobile phone, computer, e-mail, video recorder, fax machine, telex, or pager.

(8) "Employ" includes to suffer or permit to work.

(9) Employee.

(A) In general. "Employee" means any person employed by an employer.

(B) Basis. "Employee" includes a person employed as described in subparagraph (A) on a full or part-time basis, or as a participant in a work assignment as a condition of receipt of federal or State income-based public assistance.

(10) "Employer" means any of the following:

(A) the State or any agency of the State;

(B) any unit of local government or school district; or

(C) any person that employs at least 50 employees.

(11) "Employment benefits" means all benefits provided or made available to employees by an employer, including group life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, sick leave, annual leave, educational benefits, and pensions, regardless of whether such benefits are provided by a practice or written policy of an employer or through an "employee benefit plan". "Employee benefit plan" or "plan" means an employee welfare benefit plan or an employee pension benefit plan or a plan which is both an employee welfare benefit plan and an employee pension benefit plan.

(12) "Family or household member" means a spouse, parent, son, daughter, and persons jointly residing in the same household.

(13) "Parent" means the biological parent of an employee or an individual who stood in loco parentis to an employee when the employee was a son or daughter. "Son or daughter" means a biological, adopted, or foster child, a stepchild, a legal ward, or a child of a person standing in loco parentis, who is under 18 years of age, or is 18 years of age or older and incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability.

(14) "Perpetrator" means an individual who commits or is alleged to have committed any act or threat of domestic or sexual violence.

(15) "Person" means an individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, legal representative, or any organized group of persons.

(16) "Public agency" means the Government of the State or political subdivision thereof; any agency of the State, or of a political subdivision of the State; or any governmental agency.

(17) "Public assistance" includes cash, food stamps, medical assistance, housing assistance, and other benefits provided on the basis of income by a public agency or public employer.

(18) "Reduced work schedule" means a work schedule that reduces the usual number of hours per workweek, or hours per workday, of an employee.

(19) "Repeatedly" means on 2 or more occasions.

(20) "Sexual assault" means any conduct proscribed by the Criminal Code of 1961 in Sections 12-13, 12-14, 12-14.1, 12-15, and 12-16.

(21) "Stalking" means any conduct proscribed by the Criminal Code of 1961 in Sections 12-7.3 and 12-7.4.

(22) "Victim" or "survivor" means an individual who has been subjected to domestic or sexual violence.

(23) "Victim services organization" means a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that provides assistance to victims of domestic or sexual violence or to advocates for such victims, including a rape crisis center, an organization carrying out a domestic violence program, an organization operating a shelter or providing counseling services, or a legal services organization or other organization providing assistance through the legal process.

Section 15.
Purposes. The purposes of this Act are:

(1) to promote the State's interest in reducing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by enabling victims of domestic or sexual violence to maintain the financial independence necessary to leave abusive situations, achieve safety, and minimize the physical and emotional injuries from domestic or sexual violence, and to reduce the devastating economic consequences of domestic or sexual violence to employers and employees;

(2) to address the failure of existing laws to protect the employment rights of employees who are victims of domestic or sexual violence and employees with a family or household member who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence, by protecting the civil and economic rights of those employees, and by furthering the equal opportunity of women for economic self-sufficiency and employment free from discrimination;

(3) to accomplish the purposes described in paragraphs (1) and (2) by entitling employed victims of domestic or sexual violence to take unpaid leave to seek medical help, legal assistance, counseling, safety planning, and other assistance without penalty from their employers.

Section 20.
Entitlement to leave due to domestic or sexual violence.

(a) Leave requirement.

(1) Basis. An employee who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence or has a family or household member who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence whose interests are not adverse to the employee as it relates to the domestic or sexual violence may take unpaid leave from work to address domestic or sexual violence by:

(A) seeking medical attention for, or recovering from, physical or psychological injuries caused by domestic or sexual violence to the employee or the employee's family or household member;

(B) obtaining services from a victim services organization for the employee or the employee's family or household member;

(C) obtaining psychological or other counseling for the employee or the employee's family or household member;

(D) participating in safety planning, temporarily or permanently relocating, or taking other actions to increase the safety of the employee or the employee's family or household member from future domestic or sexual violence or ensure economic security; or

(E) seeking legal assistance or remedies to ensure the health and safety of the employee or the employee's family or household member, including preparing for or participating in any civil or criminal legal proceeding related to or derived from domestic or sexual violence.

(2) Period. Subject to subsection (c), an employee shall be entitled to a total of 12 workweeks of leave during any 12-month period. This Act does not create a right for an employee to take unpaid leave that exceeds the unpaid leave time allowed under, or is in addition to the unpaid leave time permitted by, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.). (3) Schedule. Leave described in paragraph (1) may be taken intermittently or on a reduced work schedule.

(b) Notice. The employee shall provide the employer with at least 48 hours' advance notice of the employee's intention to take the leave, unless providing such notice is not practicable. When an unscheduled absence occurs, the employer may not take any action against the employee if the employee, within a reasonable period after the absence, provides certification under subsection (c).

(c) Certification.

(1) In general. The employer may require the employee to provide certification to the employer that:

(A) the employee or the employee's family or household member is a victim of domestic or sexual violence; and

(B) the leave is for one of the purposes enumerated in paragraph (a) (1). The employee shall provide such certification to the employer within a reasonable period after the employer requests certification.

(2) Contents. An employee may satisfy the certification requirement of paragraph (1) by providing to the employer a sworn statement of the employee, and upon obtaining such documents the employee shall provide:

(A) documentation from an employee, agent, or volunteer of a victim services organization, an attorney, a member of the clergy, or a medical or other professional from whom the employee or the employee's family or household member has sought assistance in addressing domestic or sexual violence and the effects of the violence;

(B) a police or court record; or

(C) other corroborating evidence.

(d) Confidentiality. All information provided to the employer pursuant to subsection (b) or (c), including a statement of the employee or any other documentation, record, or corroborating evidence, and the fact that the employee has requested or obtained leave pursuant to this Section, shall be retained in the strictest confidence by the employer, except to the extent that disclosure is:

(1) requested or consented to in writing by the employee; or

(2) otherwise required by applicable federal or State law.

(e) Employment and benefits.

(1) Restoration to position.

(A) Ingeneral. Any employee who takes leave under this Section for the intended purpose of the leave shall be entitled, on return from such leave:

(i) to be restored by the employer to the position of employment held by the employee when the leave commenced; or

(ii) to be restored to an equivalent position with equivalent employment benefits, pay, and other terms and conditions of employment.

(B) Loss of benefits. The taking of leave under this Section shall not result in the loss of any employment benefit accrued prior to the date on which the leave commenced.

(C) Limitations. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to entitle any restored employee to:

(i) the accrual of any seniority or employment benefits during any period of leave; or

(ii) any right, benefit, or position of employment other than any right, benefit, or position to which the employee would have been entitled had the employee not taken the leave.

(D) Construction. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit an employer from requiring an employee on leave under this Section to report periodically to the employer on the status and intention of the employee to return to work.

(2) Maintenance of health benefits.

(A) Coverage. Except as provided in subparagraph (B), during any period that an employee takes leave under this Section, the employer shall maintain coverage for the employee and any family or household member under any group health plan for the duration of such leave at the level and under the conditions coverage would have been provided if the employee had continued in employment continuously for the duration of such leave.

(B) Failure to return from leave. The employer may recover the premium that the employer paid for maintaining coverage for the employee and the employee's family or household member under such group health plan during any period of leave under this Section if:

(i) the employee fails to return from leave under this Section after the period of leave to which the employee is entitled has expired; and

(ii) the employee fails to return to work for a reason other than:

(I) the continuation, recurrence, or onset of domestic or sexual violence that entitles the employee to leave pursuant to this Section; or

(II) other circumstances beyond the control of the employee.

(C) Certification.

(i) Issuance. An employer may require an employee who claims that the employee is unable to return to work because of a reason described in subclause (I) or (II) of subparagraph (B)(ii) to provide, within a reasonable period after making the claim, certification to the employer that the employee is unable to return to work because of that reason.

(ii) Contents. An employee may satisfy the certification requirement of clause (i) by providing to the employer:

(I) a sworn statement of the employee;

(II) documentation from an employee, agent, or volunteer of a victim services organization, an attorney, a member of the clergy, or a medical or other professional from whom the employee has sought assistance in addressing domestic or sexual violence and the effects of that violence;

(III) a police or court record; or

(IV) other corroborating evidence.

(D) Confidentiality. All information provided to the employer pursuant to subparagraph (C), including a statement of the employee or any other documentation, record, or corroborating evidence, and the fact that the employee is not returning to work because of a reason described in subclause (I) or (II) of subparagraph (B)(ii) shall be retained in the strictest confidence by the employer, except to the extent that disclosure is:

(i) requested or consented to in writing by the employee; or

(ii) otherwise required by applicable federal or State law.

(f) Prohibited acts.

(1) Interference with rights.

(A) Exercise of rights. It shall be unlawful for any employer to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of or the attempt to exercise any right provided under this Section.

(B) Employer discrimination. It shall be unlawful for any employer to discharge or harass any individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment of the individual (including retaliation in any form or manner) because the individual:

(i) exercised any right provided under this Section; or

(ii) opposed any practice made unlawful by this Section.

(C) Public agency sanctions. It shall be unlawful for any public agency to deny, reduce, or terminate the benefits of, otherwise sanction, or harass any individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to the amount, terms, or conditions of public assistance of the individual (including retaliation in any form or manner) because the individual:

(i) exercised any right provided under this Section; or

(ii) opposed any practice made unlawful by this Section. (2) Interference with proceedings or inquiries. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge or in any other manner discriminate (as described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1) against any individual because such individual:

(A) has filed any charge, or has instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding, under or related to this Section;

(B) has given, or is about to give, any information in connection with any inquiry or proceeding relating to any right provided under this Section; or

(C) has testified, or is about to testify, in any inquiry or proceeding relating to any right provided under this Section.

Section 25.

Existing leave usable for addressing domestic or sexual violence.

An employee who is entitled to take paid or unpaid leave (including family, medical, sick, annual, personal, or similar leave) from employment, pursuant to federal, State, or local law, a collective bargaining agreement, or an employment benefits program or plan, may elect to substitute any period of such leave for an equivalent period of leave provided under Section 20.

Section 30.
Victims' employment sustainability; prohibited discriminatory acts.

(a) An employer shall not fail to hire, refuse to hire, discharge, or harass any individual, otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to the compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment of the individual, or retaliate against an individual in any form or manner, and a public agency shall not deny, reduce, or terminate the benefits of, otherwise sanction, or harass any individual, otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to the amount, terms, or conditions of public assistance of the individual, or retaliate against an individual in any form or manner, because:

(1) the individual involved:

(A) is or is perceived to be a victim of domestic or sexual violence;

(B) attended, participated in, prepared for, or requested leave to attend, participate in, or prepare for a criminal or civil court proceeding relating to an incident of domestic or sexual violence of which the individual or a family or household member of the individual was a victim; or

(C) requested an adjustment to a job structure, workplace facility, or work requirement, including a transfer, reassignment, or modified schedule, leave, a changed telephone number or seating assignment, installation of a lock, or implementation of a safety procedure in response to actual or threatened domestic or sexual violence, regardless of whether the request was granted; or

(2) the workplace is disrupted or threatened by the action of a person whom the individual states has committed or threatened to commit domestic or sexual violence against the individual or the individual's family or household member.

(b) In this Section:

(1) "Discriminate", used with respect to the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment or with respect to the terms or conditions of public assistance, includes not making a reasonable accommodation to the known limitations resulting from circumstances relating to being a victim of domestic or sexual violence or a family or household member being a victim of domestic or sexual violence of an otherwise qualified individual:

(A) who is:

(i) an applicant or employee of the employer (including a public agency); or

(ii) an applicant for or recipient of public assistance from a public agency; and

(B) who is:

(i) a victim of domestic or sexual violence; or

(ii) with a family or household member who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence whose interests are not adverse to the individual in subparagraph (A) as it relates to the domestic or sexual violence; unless the employer or public agency can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the employer or public agency.

(2) "Qualified individual" means:

(A) in the case of an applicant or employee described in paragraph (1)(A)(i), an individual who, but for being a victim of domestic or sexual violence or with a family or household member who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence, can perform the essential functions of the employment position that such individual holds or desires; or

(B) in the case of an applicant or recipient described in paragraph (1)(A)(ii), an individual who, but for being a victim of domestic or sexual violence or with a family or household member who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence, can satisfy the essential requirements of the program providing the public assistance that the individual receives or desires.

(3) "Reasonable accommodation" may include an adjustment to a job structure, workplace facility, or work requirement, including a transfer, reassignment, or modified schedule, leave, a changed telephone number or seating assignment, installation of a lock, or implementation of a safety procedure, in response to actual or threatened domestic or sexualviolence.

(4) Undue hardship.

(A) In general. "Undue hardship" means an action requiring significant difficulty or expense, when considered in light of the factors set forth in subparagraph (B).

(B) Factors to be considered. In determining whether a reasonable accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of an employer or public agency, factors to be considered include:

(i) the nature and cost of the reasonable accommodation needed under this Section;

(ii) the overall financial resources of the facility involved in the provision of the reasonable accommodation, the number of persons employed at such facility, the effect on expenses and resources, or the impact otherwise of such accommodation on the operation of the facility;

(iii) the overall financial resources of the employer or public agency, the overall size of the business of an employer or public agency with respect to the number of employees of the employer or public agency, and the number, type, and location of the facilities of an employer or public agency; and

(iv) the type of operation of the employer or public agency, including the composition, structure, and functions of the workforce of the employer or public agency, the geographic separateness of the facility from the employer or public agency, and the administrative or fiscal relationship of the facility to the employer or public agency.

Section 35. Enforcement.

(a) Department of Labor.

(1) The Director or his or her authorized representative shall administer and enforce the provisions of this Act. Any employee or a representative of employees who believes his or her rights under this Act have been violated may, within 3 years after the alleged violation occurs, file a complaint with the Department requesting a review of the alleged violation. A copy of the complaint shall be sent to the person who allegedly committed the violation, who shall be the respondent. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Director shall cause such investigation to be made as he or she deems appropriate. The investigation shall provide an opportunity for a public hearing at the request of any party to the review to enable the parties to present information relating to the alleged allegation. The parties shall be given written notice of the time and place of the hearing at least 7 days before the hearing. Upon receiving the report of the investigation, the Director shall make findings of fact. If the Director finds that a violation did occur, he or she shall issue a decision incorporating his or her findings and requiring the party committing the violation to take such affirmative action to abate the violation as the Director deems appropriate, including:

(A) damages equal to the amount of wages, salary, employment benefits, public assistance, or other compensation denied or lost to such individual by reason of the violation, and the interest on that amount calculated at the prevailing rate;

(B) such equitable relief as may be appropriate, including but not limited to hiring, reinstatement, promotion, and reasonable accommodations; and

(C) reasonable attorney's fees, reasonable expert witness fees, and other costs of the action to be paid by the respondent to a prevailing employee. If the Director finds that there was no violation, he or she shall issue an order denying the complaint. An order issued by the Director under this Section shall be final and subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law.

(2) The Director shall adopt rules necessary to administer and enforce this Act in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. The Director shall have the powers and the parties shall have the rights provided in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act for contested cases, including, but not limited to, provisions for depositions, subpoena power and procedures, and discovery and protective order procedures. (3) Intervention. The Attorney General of Illinois may intervene on behalf of the Department if the Department certifies that the case is of general public importance. Upon such intervention the court may award such relief as is authorized to be granted to an employee who has filed a complaint or whose representative has filed a complaint under this Section.

(b) Refusal to pay damages. Any employer who has been ordered by the Director of Labor or the court to pay damages under this Section and who fails to do so within 30 days after the order is entered is liable to pay a penalty of 1% per calendar day to the employee for each day of delay in paying the damages to the employee.

Section 40. Notification.

Every employer covered by this Act shall post and keep posted, in conspicuous places on the premises of the employer where notices to employees are customarily posted, a notice, to be prepared or approved by the Director of Labor, summarizing the requirements of this Act and information pertaining to the filing of a charge. The Director shall furnish copies of summaries and rules to employers upon request without charge.

Section 45. Effect on other laws and employment benefits.

(a) More protective laws, agreements, programs, and plans. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to supersede any provision of any federal, State, or local law, collective bargaining agreement, or employment benefits program or plan that provides:

(1) greater leave benefits for victims of domestic or sexual violence than the rights established under this Act; or

(2) leave benefits for a larger population of victims of domestic or sexual violence (as defined in such law, agreement, program, or plan) than the victims of domestic or sexual violence covered under this Act.

(b) Less protective laws, agreements, programs, and plans. The rights established for employees who are victims of domestic or sexual violence and employees with a family or household member who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence under this Act shall not be diminished by any federal, State or local law, collective bargaining agreement, or employment benefits program or plan.

Section 905. Severability.

If any provision of this Act or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance is held to be in violation of the Unites States Constitution or Illinois Constitution, the remainder of the provisions of this Act and the application of those provisions to any person or circumstance shall not be affected.

Section 999. Effective date.

This Act takes effect upon becoming law. Effective Date: 08/25/03

Discrimination Against Military Service Personnel

Sec. 1805/100. Memebers of national guard or reserves; Discrimination prohibited

A person who, either by himself or with another, wilfully deprives a member of the Illinois National Guard, or the reserve armed services of the United States of his employment, or prevents his being employed by himself or another, or obstructs or annoys a member of such organization or his employer in respect of his trade, business or employment because the member is such member, or dissuades any person from enlistment in the National Guard by threat of injury to him in case he so enlists in respect of his employment, trade or business, shall be guilty of a petty offense. It is the duty of the State's Attorney of the county wherein said information is made or offense committed to prosecute the action in the name of the People of the State of Illinois.