Discrimination Complaint Filing and Litigation
After the investigation and all attempts to settle the case fail, the employee typically brings a lawsuit to litigate the case. Employment discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuits are typically filed in district court (federal court) or Illinois state courts. Alternatively, cases are heard by administrative law judges at the Illinois Human Rights Commission for charges filed with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR).
The following administrative agencies have established a process of litigation and have administrative law judges that hear charges that are filed with its agencies: Cook County Commission on Human Relations (CCCHR); and City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR).