Sen. Heather A. Steans

Filed: 3/26/2019

 

 


 

 


 
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1
AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 398

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 398 by replacing
3everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4    "Section 5. The Illinois Human Rights Act is amended by
5changing Sections 7A-102 and 8-101 and by adding Section
67-109.2 as follows:
 
7    (775 ILCS 5/7-109.2 new)
8    Sec. 7-109.2. Federal or State court proceedings and local
9government administrative proceedings.
10    (A) Effect of filing of a federal or State court
11proceeding.
12        (1) For charges filed under Article 7A of this Act, if
13    the complainant has initiated litigation in a federal or
14    State court for the purposes of seeking final relief on
15    some or all of the issues that are the basis of the charge,
16    either party may request that the Department

 

 

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1    administratively close the Department's charge or portions
2    of the charge. Within 10 business days of receipt of the
3    federal or State court complaint, the Department shall
4    issue a notice of administrative closure and provide the
5    complainant notice of his or her right to commence a civil
6    action in the appropriate circuit court or other
7    appropriate court of competent jurisdiction.
8        (2) For charges filed under Article 7B of this Act, if
9    the complainant has initiated litigation in a federal or
10    State court for the purposes of seeking final relief on
11    some or all of the issues that are the basis of the charge,
12    either party may request that the Department
13    administratively close the charge or portions of the charge
14    pending in the federal or State court proceeding if a trial
15    has commenced in the federal or State court proceeding.
16    Within 10 business days of receipt of notice that the trial
17    has begun, the Department shall issue a notice of
18    administrative closure and provide the complainant notice
19    of his or her right to commence a civil action in the
20    appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of
21    competent jurisdiction.
22        (3) Nothing in this Section shall preclude the
23    Department from continuing to investigate an allegation in
24    the charge that is not included in the federal or State
25    court proceeding.
26    (B) Effect of filing of a local government administrative

 

 

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1proceeding. For all charges filed under this Act, if the
2complainant has filed a charge or complaint before a local
3department or commission on the issues that are the basis for
4the charge, either party may request that the charge or
5complaint pending before the local department or commission be
6transferred to the Department pursuant to subsection (B) of
7Section 7-108. Upon transfer to the Department, the local
8department or commission shall administratively close its
9charge or complaint. Nothing in this Section shall preclude the
10local department or commission from continuing to investigate
11an allegation in its charge or complaint that is not covered by
12this Act. The complainant may amend the charge to include any
13allegation in the local department or commission's charge that
14is jurisdictional for the Department.
 
15    (775 ILCS 5/7A-102)  (from Ch. 68, par. 7A-102)
16    Sec. 7A-102. Procedures.
17    (A) Charge.
18        (1) Within 300 calendar days after the date that a
19    civil rights violation allegedly has been committed, a
20    charge in writing under oath or affirmation may be filed
21    with the Department by an aggrieved party or issued by the
22    Department itself under the signature of the Director.
23        (2) The charge shall be in such detail as to
24    substantially apprise any party properly concerned as to
25    the time, place, and facts surrounding the alleged civil

 

 

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1    rights violation.
2        (3) Charges deemed filed with the Department pursuant
3    to subsection (A-1) of this Section shall be deemed to be
4    in compliance with this subsection.
5    (A-1) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Charges.
6        (1) If a charge is filed with the Equal Employment
7    Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 300 calendar days
8    after the date of the alleged civil rights violation, the
9    charge shall be deemed filed with the Department on the
10    date filed with the EEOC. If the EEOC is the governmental
11    agency designated to investigate the charge first, the
12    Department shall take no action until the EEOC makes a
13    determination on the charge and after the complainant
14    notifies the Department of the EEOC's determination. In
15    such cases, after receiving notice from the EEOC that a
16    charge was filed, the Department shall notify the parties
17    that (i) a charge has been received by the EEOC and has
18    been sent to the Department for dual filing purposes; (ii)
19    the EEOC is the governmental agency responsible for
20    investigating the charge and that the investigation shall
21    be conducted pursuant to the rules and procedures adopted
22    by the EEOC; (iii) it will take no action on the charge
23    until the EEOC issues its determination; (iv) the
24    complainant must submit a copy of the EEOC's determination
25    within 30 days after service of the determination by the
26    EEOC on complainant; and (v) that the time period to

 

 

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1    investigate the charge contained in subsection (G) of this
2    Section is tolled from the date on which the charge is
3    filed with the EEOC until the EEOC issues its
4    determination.
5        (2) If the EEOC finds reasonable cause to believe that
6    there has been a violation of federal law and if the
7    Department is timely notified of the EEOC's findings by
8    complainant, the Department shall notify complainant that
9    the Department has adopted the EEOC's determination of
10    reasonable cause and that complainant has the right, within
11    90 days after receipt of the Department's notice, to either
12    file his or her own complaint with the Illinois Human
13    Rights Commission or commence a civil action in the
14    appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of
15    competent jurisdiction. This notice shall be provided to
16    the complainant within 10 business days after the
17    Department's receipt of the EEOC's determination. The
18    Department's notice to complainant that the Department has
19    adopted the EEOC's determination of reasonable cause shall
20    constitute the Department's Report for purposes of
21    subparagraph (D) of this Section.
22        (3) For those charges alleging violations within the
23    jurisdiction of both the EEOC and the Department and for
24    which the EEOC either (i) does not issue a determination,
25    but does issue the complainant a notice of a right to sue,
26    including when the right to sue is issued at the request of

 

 

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1    the complainant, or (ii) determines that it is unable to
2    establish that illegal discrimination has occurred and
3    issues the complainant a right to sue notice, and if the
4    Department is timely notified of the EEOC's determination
5    by complainant, the Department shall notify the parties,
6    within 10 business days after receipt of the EEOC's
7    determination, that the Department will adopt the EEOC's
8    determination as a dismissal for lack of substantial
9    evidence unless the complainant requests in writing within
10    35 days after receipt of the Department's notice that the
11    Department review the EEOC's determination.
12            (a) If the complainant does not file a written
13        request with the Department to review the EEOC's
14        determination within 35 days after receipt of the
15        Department's notice, the Department shall notify
16        complainant, within 10 business days after the
17        expiration of the 35-day period, that the decision of
18        the EEOC has been adopted by the Department as a
19        dismissal for lack of substantial evidence and that the
20        complainant has the right, within 90 days after receipt
21        of the Department's notice, to commence a civil action
22        in the appropriate circuit court or other appropriate
23        court of competent jurisdiction. The Department's
24        notice to complainant that the Department has adopted
25        the EEOC's determination shall constitute the
26        Department's report for purposes of subparagraph (D)

 

 

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1        of this Section.
2            (b) If the complainant does file a written request
3        with the Department to review the EEOC's
4        determination, the Department shall review the EEOC's
5        determination and any evidence obtained by the EEOC
6        during its investigation. If, after reviewing the
7        EEOC's determination and any evidence obtained by the
8        EEOC, the Department determines there is no need for
9        further investigation of the charge, the Department
10        shall issue a report and the Director shall determine
11        whether there is substantial evidence that the alleged
12        civil rights violation has been committed pursuant to
13        subsection (D) of Section 7A-102. If, after reviewing
14        the EEOC's determination and any evidence obtained by
15        the EEOC, the Department determines there is a need for
16        further investigation of the charge, the Department
17        may conduct any further investigation it deems
18        necessary. After reviewing the EEOC's determination,
19        the evidence obtained by the EEOC, and any additional
20        investigation conducted by the Department, the
21        Department shall issue a report and the Director shall
22        determine whether there is substantial evidence that
23        the alleged civil rights violation has been committed
24        pursuant to subsection (D) of Section 7A-102 of this
25        Act.
26        (4) Pursuant to this Section, if the EEOC dismisses the

 

 

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1    charge or a portion of the charge of discrimination
2    because, under federal law, the EEOC lacks jurisdiction
3    over the charge, and if, under this Act, the Department has
4    jurisdiction over the charge of discrimination, the
5    Department shall investigate the charge or portion of the
6    charge dismissed by the EEOC for lack of jurisdiction
7    pursuant to subsections (A), (A-1), (B), (B-1), (C), (D),
8    (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), and (K) of Section 7A-102 of
9    this Act.
10        (5) The time limit set out in subsection (G) of this
11    Section is tolled from the date on which the charge is
12    filed with the EEOC to the date on which the EEOC issues
13    its determination.
14        (6) The failure of the Department to meet the
15    10-business-day notification deadlines set out in
16    paragraph (2) of this subsection shall not impair the
17    rights of any party.
18    (B) Notice and Response to Charge. The Department shall,
19within 10 days of the date on which the charge was filed, serve
20a copy of the charge on the respondent and provide all parties
21with a notice of the complainant's right to opt out of the
22investigation within 60 days as set forth in subsection (C-1).
23This period shall not be construed to be jurisdictional. The
24charging party and the respondent may each file a position
25statement and other materials with the Department regarding the
26charge of alleged discrimination within 60 days of receipt of

 

 

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1the notice of the charge. The position statements and other
2materials filed shall remain confidential unless otherwise
3agreed to by the party providing the information and shall not
4be served on or made available to the other party during
5pendency of a charge with the Department. The Department may
6require the respondent to file a response to the allegations
7contained in the charge. Upon the Department's request, the
8respondent shall file a response to the charge within 60 days
9and shall serve a copy of its response on the complainant or
10his or her representative. Notwithstanding any request from the
11Department, the respondent may elect to file a response to the
12charge within 60 days of receipt of notice of the charge,
13provided the respondent serves a copy of its response on the
14complainant or his or her representative. All allegations
15contained in the charge not denied by the respondent within 60
16days of the Department's request for a response may be deemed
17admitted, unless the respondent states that it is without
18sufficient information to form a belief with respect to such
19allegation. The Department may issue a notice of default
20directed to any respondent who fails to file a response to a
21charge within 60 days of receipt of the Department's request,
22unless the respondent can demonstrate good cause as to why such
23notice should not issue. The term "good cause" shall be defined
24by rule promulgated by the Department. Within 30 days of
25receipt of the respondent's response, the complainant may file
26a reply to said response and shall serve a copy of said reply

 

 

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1on the respondent or his or her representative. A party shall
2have the right to supplement his or her response or reply at
3any time that the investigation of the charge is pending. The
4Department shall, within 10 days of the date on which the
5charge was filed, and again no later than 335 days thereafter,
6send by certified or registered mail written notice to the
7complainant and to the respondent informing the complainant of
8the complainant's rights to either file a complaint with the
9Human Rights Commission or commence a civil action in the
10appropriate circuit court under subparagraph (2) of paragraph
11(G) and under subsection (C-1), including in such notice the
12dates within which the complainant may exercise these rights.
13In the notice the Department shall notify the complainant that
14the charge of civil rights violation will be dismissed with
15prejudice and with no right to further proceed if a written
16complaint is not timely filed with the Commission or with the
17appropriate circuit court by the complainant pursuant to
18subparagraph (2) of paragraph (G) or subsection (C-1) or by the
19Department pursuant to subparagraph (1) of paragraph (G).
20    (B-1) Mediation. The complainant and respondent may agree
21to voluntarily submit the charge to mediation without waiving
22any rights that are otherwise available to either party
23pursuant to this Act and without incurring any obligation to
24accept the result of the mediation process. Nothing occurring
25in mediation shall be disclosed by the Department or admissible
26in evidence in any subsequent proceeding unless the complainant

 

 

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1and the respondent agree in writing that such disclosure be
2made.
3    (C) Investigation.
4        (1) The If the complainant does not elect to opt out of
5    an investigation pursuant to subsection (C-1), the
6    Department shall conduct an investigation sufficient to
7    determine whether the allegations set forth in the charge
8    are supported by substantial evidence unless the
9    complainant elects to opt out of an investigation pursuant
10    to subsection (C-1).
11        (2) The Director or his or her designated
12    representatives shall have authority to request any member
13    of the Commission to issue subpoenas to compel the
14    attendance of a witness or the production for examination
15    of any books, records or documents whatsoever.
16        (3) If any witness whose testimony is required for any
17    investigation resides outside the State, or through
18    illness or any other good cause as determined by the
19    Director is unable to be interviewed by the investigator or
20    appear at a fact finding conference, his or her testimony
21    or deposition may be taken, within or without the State, in
22    the same manner as is provided for in the taking of
23    depositions in civil cases in circuit courts.
24        (4) Upon reasonable notice to the complainant and the
25    respondent, the Department shall conduct a fact finding
26    conference, unless prior to 365 days after the date on

 

 

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1    which the charge was filed the Director has determined
2    whether there is substantial evidence that the alleged
3    civil rights violation has been committed, the charge has
4    been dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, or the parties
5    voluntarily and in writing agree to waive the fact finding
6    conference. Any party's failure to attend the conference
7    without good cause shall result in dismissal or default.
8    The term "good cause" shall be defined by rule promulgated
9    by the Department. A notice of dismissal or default shall
10    be issued by the Director. The notice of default issued by
11    the Director shall notify the respondent that a request for
12    review may be filed in writing with the Commission within
13    30 days of receipt of notice of default. The notice of
14    dismissal issued by the Director shall give the complainant
15    notice of his or her right to seek review of the dismissal
16    before the Human Rights Commission or commence a civil
17    action in the appropriate circuit court. If the complainant
18    chooses to have the Human Rights Commission review the
19    dismissal order, he or she shall file a request for review
20    with the Commission within 90 days after receipt of the
21    Director's notice. If the complainant chooses to file a
22    request for review with the Commission, he or she may not
23    later commence a civil action in a circuit court. If the
24    complainant chooses to commence a civil action in a circuit
25    court, he or she must do so within 90 days after receipt of
26    the Director's notice.

 

 

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1    (C-1) Opt out of Department's investigation. At any time
2within 60 days after receipt of notice of the right to opt out,
3a complainant may submit a written request seeking notice from
4the Director indicating that the complainant has opted out of
5the investigation and may commence a civil action in the
6appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of
7competent jurisdiction. Within The Department shall respond to
8a complainant's opt-out request within 10 business days of
9receipt of the complainant's request to opt out of the
10investigation, the Director shall issue a notice to the parties
11stating that: (i) the complainant has exercised the right to
12opt out of the investigation; (ii) the complainant has 90 days
13after receipt of the Director's notice to commence an action in
14the appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of
15competent jurisdiction; and (iii) the Department has ceased its
16investigation and is administratively closing the charge by
17issuing the complainant a notice of the right to commence an
18action in circuit court. The Department shall also notify the
19respondent that the complainant has elected to opt out of the
20administrative process within 10 business days of receipt of
21the complainant's request. If the complainant chooses to
22commence an action in a circuit court under this subsection, he
23or she must do so within 90 days after receipt of the
24Director's notice of the right to commence an action in circuit
25court. The complainant shall notify the Department and the
26respondent that a complaint has been filed with the appropriate

 

 

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1circuit court or other appropriate court of competent
2jurisdiction and shall mail a copy of the complaint to the
3Department and the respondent on the same date that the
4complaint is filed with the appropriate circuit court. Upon
5receipt of notice that the complainant has filed an action with
6the appropriate circuit court, the Department shall
7immediately cease its investigation and dismiss the charge of
8civil rights violation. Once a complainant has opted out of the
9investigation commenced an action in circuit court under this
10subsection, he or she may not file or refile a substantially
11similar charge with the Department arising from the same
12incident of unlawful discrimination or harassment.
13    (D) Report.
14        (1) Each charge investigated under subsection (C)
15    shall be the subject of a report to the Director. The
16    report shall be a confidential document subject to review
17    by the Director, authorized Department employees, the
18    parties, and, where indicated by this Act, members of the
19    Commission or their designated hearing officers.
20        (2) Upon review of the report, the Director shall
21    determine whether there is substantial evidence that the
22    alleged civil rights violation has been committed. The
23    determination of substantial evidence is limited to
24    determining the need for further consideration of the
25    charge pursuant to this Act and includes, but is not
26    limited to, findings of fact and conclusions, as well as

 

 

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1    the reasons for the determinations on all material issues.
2    Substantial evidence is evidence which a reasonable mind
3    accepts as sufficient to support a particular conclusion
4    and which consists of more than a mere scintilla but may be
5    somewhat less than a preponderance.
6        (3) If the Director determines that there is no
7    substantial evidence, the charge shall be dismissed by
8    order of the Director and the Director shall give the
9    complainant notice of his or her right to seek review of
10    the dismissal order before the Commission or commence a
11    civil action in the appropriate circuit court. If the
12    complainant chooses to have the Human Rights Commission
13    review the dismissal order, he or she shall file a request
14    for review with the Commission within 90 days after receipt
15    of the Director's notice. If the complainant chooses to
16    file a request for review with the Commission, he or she
17    may not later commence a civil action in a circuit court.
18    If the complainant chooses to commence a civil action in a
19    circuit court, he or she must do so within 90 days after
20    receipt of the Director's notice.
21        (4) If the Director determines that there is
22    substantial evidence, he or she shall notify the
23    complainant and respondent of that determination. The
24    Director shall also notify the parties that the complainant
25    has the right to either commence a civil action in the
26    appropriate circuit court or request that the Department of

 

 

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1    Human Rights file a complaint with the Human Rights
2    Commission on his or her behalf. Any such complaint shall
3    be filed within 90 days after receipt of the Director's
4    notice. If the complainant chooses to have the Department
5    file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on his or
6    her behalf, the complainant must, within 30 days after
7    receipt of the Director's notice, request in writing that
8    the Department file the complaint. If the complainant
9    timely requests that the Department file the complaint, the
10    Department shall file the complaint on his or her behalf.
11    If the complainant fails to timely request that the
12    Department file the complaint, the complainant may file his
13    or her complaint with the Commission or commence a civil
14    action in the appropriate circuit court. If the complainant
15    files a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, the
16    complainant shall give notice to the Department of the
17    filing of the complaint with the Human Rights Commission.
18    (E) Conciliation.
19         (1) When there is a finding of substantial evidence,
20    the Department may designate a Department employee who is
21    an attorney licensed to practice in Illinois to endeavor to
22    eliminate the effect of the alleged civil rights violation
23    and to prevent its repetition by means of conference and
24    conciliation.
25        (2) When the Department determines that a formal
26    conciliation conference is necessary, the complainant and

 

 

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1    respondent shall be notified of the time and place of the
2    conference by registered or certified mail at least 10 days
3    prior thereto and either or both parties shall appear at
4    the conference in person or by attorney.
5        (3) The place fixed for the conference shall be within
6    35 miles of the place where the civil rights violation is
7    alleged to have been committed.
8        (4) Nothing occurring at the conference shall be
9    disclosed by the Department unless the complainant and
10    respondent agree in writing that such disclosure be made.
11        (5) The Department's efforts to conciliate the matter
12    shall not stay or extend the time for filing the complaint
13    with the Commission or the circuit court.
14    (F) Complaint.
15        (1) When the complainant requests that the Department
16    file a complaint with the Commission on his or her behalf,
17    the Department shall prepare a written complaint, under
18    oath or affirmation, stating the nature of the civil rights
19    violation substantially as alleged in the charge
20    previously filed and the relief sought on behalf of the
21    aggrieved party. The Department shall file the complaint
22    with the Commission.
23        (2) If the complainant chooses to commence a civil
24    action in a circuit court, he or she must do so in the
25    circuit court in the county wherein the civil rights
26    violation was allegedly committed. The form of the

 

 

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1    complaint in any such civil action shall be in accordance
2    with the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure.
3    (G) Time Limit.
4        (1) When a charge of a civil rights violation has been
5    properly filed, the Department, within 365 days thereof or
6    within any extension of that period agreed to in writing by
7    all parties, shall issue its report as required by
8    subparagraph (D). Any such report shall be duly served upon
9    both the complainant and the respondent.
10        (2) If the Department has not issued its report within
11    365 days after the charge is filed, or any such longer
12    period agreed to in writing by all the parties, the
13    complainant shall have 90 days to either file his or her
14    own complaint with the Human Rights Commission or commence
15    a civil action in the appropriate circuit court. If the
16    complainant files a complaint with the Commission, the form
17    of the complaint shall be in accordance with the provisions
18    of paragraph (F)(1). If the complainant commences a civil
19    action in a circuit court, the form of the complaint shall
20    be in accordance with the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure.
21    The aggrieved party shall notify the Department that a
22    complaint has been filed and shall serve a copy of the
23    complaint on the Department on the same date that the
24    complaint is filed with the Commission or in circuit court.
25    If the complainant files a complaint with the Commission,
26    he or she may not later commence a civil action in circuit

 

 

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1    court.
2        (3) If an aggrieved party files a complaint with the
3    Human Rights Commission or commences a civil action in
4    circuit court pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection,
5    or if the time period for filing a complaint has expired,
6    the Department shall immediately cease its investigation
7    and dismiss the charge of civil rights violation. Any final
8    order entered by the Commission under this Section is
9    appealable in accordance with paragraph (B)(1) of Section
10    8-111. Failure to immediately cease an investigation and
11    dismiss the charge of civil rights violation as provided in
12    this paragraph (3) constitutes grounds for entry of an
13    order by the circuit court permanently enjoining the
14    investigation. The Department may also be liable for any
15    costs and other damages incurred by the respondent as a
16    result of the action of the Department.
17        (4) (Blank).
18    (H) This amendatory Act of 1995 applies to causes of action
19filed on or after January 1, 1996.
20    (I) This amendatory Act of 1996 applies to causes of action
21filed on or after January 1, 1996.
22    (J) The changes made to this Section by Public Act 95-243
23apply to charges filed on or after the effective date of those
24changes.
25    (K) The changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act
26of the 96th General Assembly apply to charges filed on or after

 

 

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1the effective date of those changes.
2    (L) The changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act
3of the 100th General Assembly apply to charges filed on or
4after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th
5General Assembly.
6(Source: P.A. 100-492, eff. 9-8-17; 100-588, eff. 6-8-18;
7100-1066, eff. 8-24-18.)
 
8    (775 ILCS 5/8-101)  (from Ch. 68, par. 8-101)
9    Sec. 8-101. Illinois Human Rights Commission.
10    (A) Creation; appointments. The Human Rights Commission is
11created to consist of 7 members appointed by the Governor with
12the advice and consent of the Senate. No more than 4 members
13shall be of the same political party. The Governor shall
14designate one member as chairperson. All appointments shall be
15in writing and filed with the Secretary of State as a public
16record.
17    (B) Terms. Of the members first appointed, 4 shall be
18appointed for a term to expire on the third Monday of January,
192021, and 3 (including the Chairperson) shall be appointed for
20a term to expire on the third Monday of January, 2023.
21    Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the
22contrary, the term of office of each member of the Illinois
23Human Rights Commission is abolished on January 19, 2019.
24Incumbent members holding a position on the Commission that was
25created by Public Act 84-115 and whose terms, if not for this

 

 

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1amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, would have
2expired January 18, 2021 shall continue to exercise all of the
3powers and be subject to all of the duties of members of the
4Commission until June 30, 2019 or until their respective
5successors are appointed and qualified, whichever is earlier.
6    Thereafter, each member shall serve for a term of 4 years
7and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified;
8except that any member chosen to fill a vacancy occurring
9otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be appointed only
10for the unexpired term of the member whom he or she shall
11succeed and until his or her successor is appointed and
12qualified.
13    (C) Vacancies.
14        (1) In the case of vacancies on the Commission during a
15    recess of the Senate, the Governor shall make a temporary
16    appointment until the next meeting of the Senate when he or
17    she shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy. Any person
18    so nominated and confirmed by the Senate shall hold office
19    for the remainder of the term and until his or her
20    successor is appointed and qualified.
21        (2) If the Senate is not in session at the time this
22    Act takes effect, the Governor shall make temporary
23    appointments to the Commission as in the case of vacancies.
24        (3) Vacancies in the Commission shall not impair the
25    right of the remaining members to exercise all the powers
26    of the Commission. Except when authorized by this Act to

 

 

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1    proceed through a 3 member panel, a majority of the members
2    of the Commission then in office shall constitute a quorum.
3    (D) Compensation. On and after January 19, 2019, the
4Chairperson of the Commission shall be compensated at the rate
5of $125,000 per year, or as set by the Compensation Review
6Board, whichever is greater, during his or her service as
7Chairperson, and each other member shall be compensated at the
8rate of $119,000 per year, or as set by the Compensation Review
9Board, whichever is greater. In addition, all members of the
10Commission shall be reimbursed for expenses actually and
11necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their
12duties.
13    (E) Notwithstanding the general supervisory authority of
14the Chairperson, each commissioner, unless appointed to the
15special temporary panel created under subsection (H), has the
16authority to hire and supervise a staff attorney. The staff
17attorney shall report directly to the individual commissioner.
18    (F) A formal training program for newly appointed
19commissioners shall be implemented. The training program shall
20include the following:
21        (1) substantive and procedural aspects of the office of
22    commissioner;
23        (2) current issues in employment and housing
24    discrimination and public accommodation law and practice;
25        (3) orientation to each operational unit of the Human
26    Rights Commission;

 

 

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1        (4) observation of experienced hearing officers and
2    commissioners conducting hearings of cases, combined with
3    the opportunity to discuss evidence presented and rulings
4    made;
5        (5) the use of hypothetical cases requiring the newly
6    appointed commissioner to issue judgments as a means of
7    evaluating knowledge and writing ability;
8        (6) writing skills; and
9        (7) professional and ethical standards.
10    A formal and ongoing professional development program
11including, but not limited to, the above-noted areas shall be
12implemented to keep commissioners informed of recent
13developments and issues and to assist them in maintaining and
14enhancing their professional competence. Each commissioner
15shall complete 20 hours of training in the above-noted areas
16during every 2 years the commissioner remains in office.
17    (G) Commissioners must meet one of the following
18qualifications:
19        (1) licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois;
20        (2) at least 3 years of experience as a hearing officer
21    at the Human Rights Commission; or
22        (3) at least 4 years of professional experience working
23    for or dealing with individuals or corporations affected by
24    this Act or similar laws in other jurisdictions, including,
25    but not limited to, experience with a civil rights advocacy
26    group, a fair housing group, a trade association, a union,

 

 

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1    a law firm, a legal aid organization, an employer's human
2    resources department, an employment discrimination
3    consulting firm, or a municipal human relations agency.
4    The Governor's appointment message, filed with the
5Secretary of State and transmitted to the Senate, shall state
6specifically how the experience of a nominee for commissioner
7meets the requirement set forth in this subsection. The
8Chairperson must have public or private sector management and
9budget experience, as determined by the Governor.
10    Each commissioner shall devote full time to his or her
11duties and any commissioner who is an attorney shall not engage
12in the practice of law, nor shall any commissioner hold any
13other office or position of profit under the United States or
14this State or any municipal corporation or political
15subdivision of this State, nor engage in any other business,
16employment, or vocation.
17    (H) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the
18Governor shall appoint, by and with the consent of the Senate,
19a special temporary panel of commissioners comprised of 3
20members. The members shall hold office until the Commission, in
21consultation with the Governor, determines that the caseload of
22requests for review has been reduced sufficiently to allow
23cases to proceed in a timely manner, or for a term of 18 months
24from the date of appointment by the Governor, whichever is
25earlier. Each of the 3 members shall have only such rights and
26powers of a commissioner necessary to dispose of the cases

 

 

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1assigned to the special panel. Each of the 3 members appointed
2to the special panel shall receive the same salary as other
3commissioners for the duration of the panel. The panel shall
4have the authority to hire and supervise a staff attorney who
5shall report to the panel of commissioners.
6(Source: P.A. 99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 100-1066, eff. 8-24-18.)
 
7    (775 ILCS 5/7-109.1 rep.)
8    Section 10. The Illinois Human Rights Act is amended by
9repealing Section 7-109.1.".