How is a charge of discriminated initiated?
A person who believes he/she was treated differently than others or was otherwise discriminated against based on protected class in one of the five areas jurisdictions covered by the Illinois Human Rights Act (employment, housing, financial credit, public accommodations, and sexual harassment in higher education) may contact the Department to file a charge of discrimination. The Department’s telephone inquiry line, (312-814-4321), is for persons who have questions about whether their problem situation falls within the Department’s jurisdiction, or about how to file a charge. (For housing discrimination questions, call 312-814-6227.) A person may initiate a charge of discrimination by visiting one of IDHR’s offices. If that is not convenient, a person can write to IDHR at its Chicago, Springfield, or Marion, IL address or contact IDHR via E-mail. To make sure that all necessary information is included, it is advisable to use the Complainant Information Sheet, and mail or FAX it to the D
