SB0398sam001 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. Heather A. Steans

Filed: 3/26/2019

10100SB0398sam001 LRB101 04159 LNS 58562 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 398

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 398 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 5. The Illinois Human Rights Act is amended by changing Sections 7A-102 and 8-101 and by adding Section 7-109.2 as follows:

(775 ILCS 5/7-109.2 new)

Sec. 7-109.2. Federal or State court proceedings and local government administrative proceedings.

(A) Effect of filing of a federal or State court proceeding.

(1) For charges filed under Article 7A of this Act, if the complainant has initiated litigation in a federal or State court for the purposes of seeking final relief on some or all of the issues that are the basis of the charge, either party may request that the Department administratively close the Department's charge or portions of the charge. Within 10 business days of receipt of the federal or State court complaint, the Department shall issue a notice of administrative closure and provide the complainant notice of his or her right to commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of competent jurisdiction.

(2) For charges filed under Article 7B of this Act, if the complainant has initiated litigation in a federal or State court for the purposes of seeking final relief on some or all of the issues that are the basis of the charge, either party may request that the Department administratively close the charge or portions of the charge pending in the federal or State court proceeding if a trial has commenced in the federal or State court proceeding. Within 10 business days of receipt of notice that the trial has begun, the Department shall issue a notice of administrative closure and provide the complainant notice of his or her right to commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of competent jurisdiction.

(3) Nothing in this Section shall preclude the Department from continuing to investigate an allegation in the charge that is not included in the federal or State court proceeding.

(B) Effect of filing of a local government administrative proceeding. For all charges filed under this Act, if the complainant has filed a charge or complaint before a local department or commission on the issues that are the basis for the charge, either party may request that the charge or complaint pending before the local department or commission be transferred to the Department pursuant to subsection (B) of Section 7-108. Upon transfer to the Department, the local department or commission shall administratively close its charge or complaint. Nothing in this Section shall preclude the local department or commission from continuing to investigate an allegation in its charge or complaint that is not covered by this Act. The complainant may amend the charge to include any allegation in the local department or commission's charge that is jurisdictional for the Department.

(775 ILCS 5/7A-102) (from Ch. 68, par. 7A-102)

Sec. 7A-102. Procedures.

(A) Charge.

(1) Within 300 calendar days after the date that a civil rights violation allegedly has been committed, a charge in writing under oath or affirmation may be filed with the Department by an aggrieved party or issued by the Department itself under the signature of the Director.

(2) The charge shall be in such detail as to substantially apprise any party properly concerned as to the time, place, and facts surrounding the alleged civil rights violation.

(3) Charges deemed filed with the Department pursuant to subsection (A-1) of this Section shall be deemed to be in compliance with this subsection.

(A-1) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Charges.

(1) If a charge is filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 300 calendar days after the date of the alleged civil rights violation, the charge shall be deemed filed with the Department on the date filed with the EEOC. If the EEOC is the governmental agency designated to investigate the charge first, the Department shall take no action until the EEOC makes a determination on the charge and after the complainant notifies the Department of the EEOC's determination. In such cases, after receiving notice from the EEOC that a charge was filed, the Department shall notify the parties that (i) a charge has been received by the EEOC and has been sent to the Department for dual filing purposes; (ii) the EEOC is the governmental agency responsible for investigating the charge and that the investigation shall be conducted pursuant to the rules and procedures adopted by the EEOC; (iii) it will take no action on the charge until the EEOC issues its determination; (iv) the complainant must submit a copy of the EEOC's determination within 30 days after service of the determination by the EEOC on complainant; and (v) that the time period to investigate the charge contained in subsection (G) of this Section is tolled from the date on which the charge is filed with the EEOC until the EEOC issues its determination.

(2) If the EEOC finds reasonable cause to believe that there has been a violation of federal law and if the Department is timely notified of the EEOC's findings by complainant, the Department shall notify complainant that the Department has adopted the EEOC's determination of reasonable cause and that complainant has the right, within 90 days after receipt of the Department's notice, to either file his or her own complaint with the Illinois Human Rights Commission or commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of competent jurisdiction. This notice shall be provided to the complainant within 10 business days after the Department's receipt of the EEOC's determination. The Department's notice to complainant that the Department has adopted the EEOC's determination of reasonable cause shall constitute the Department's Report for purposes of subparagraph (D) of this Section.

(3) For those charges alleging violations within the jurisdiction of both the EEOC and the Department and for which the EEOC either (i) does not issue a determination, but does issue the complainant a notice of a right to sue, including when the right to sue is issued at the request of the complainant, or (ii) determines that it is unable to establish that illegal discrimination has occurred and issues the complainant a right to sue notice, and if the Department is timely notified of the EEOC's determination by complainant, the Department shall notify the parties, within 10 business days after receipt of the EEOC's determination, that the Department will adopt the EEOC's determination as a dismissal for lack of substantial evidence unless the complainant requests in writing within 35 days after receipt of the Department's notice that the Department review the EEOC's determination.

(a) If the complainant does not file a written request with the Department to review the EEOC's determination within 35 days after receipt of the Department's notice, the Department shall notify complainant, within 10 business days after the expiration of the 35-day period, that the decision of the EEOC has been adopted by the Department as a dismissal for lack of substantial evidence and that the complainant has the right, within 90 days after receipt of the Department's notice, to commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of competent jurisdiction. The Department's notice to complainant that the Department has adopted the EEOC's determination shall constitute the Department's report for purposes of subparagraph (D) of this Section.

(b) If the complainant does file a written request with the Department to review the EEOC's determination, the Department shall review the EEOC's determination and any evidence obtained by the EEOC during its investigation. If, after reviewing the EEOC's determination and any evidence obtained by the EEOC, the Department determines there is no need for further investigation of the charge, the Department shall issue a report and the Director shall determine whether there is substantial evidence that the alleged civil rights violation has been committed pursuant to subsection (D) of Section 7A-102. If, after reviewing the EEOC's determination and any evidence obtained by the EEOC, the Department determines there is a need for further investigation of the charge, the Department may conduct any further investigation it deems necessary. After reviewing the EEOC's determination, the evidence obtained by the EEOC, and any additional investigation conducted by the Department, the Department shall issue a report and the Director shall determine whether there is substantial evidence that the alleged civil rights violation has been committed pursuant to subsection (D) of Section 7A-102 of this Act.

(4) Pursuant to this Section, if the EEOC dismisses the charge or a portion of the charge of discrimination because, under federal law, the EEOC lacks jurisdiction over the charge, and if, under this Act, the Department has jurisdiction over the charge of discrimination, the Department shall investigate the charge or portion of the charge dismissed by the EEOC for lack of jurisdiction pursuant to subsections (A), (A-1), (B), (B-1), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), and (K) of Section 7A-102 of this Act.

(5) The time limit set out in subsection (G) of this Section is tolled from the date on which the charge is filed with the EEOC to the date on which the EEOC issues its determination.

(6) The failure of the Department to meet the 10-business-day notification deadlines set out in paragraph (2) of this subsection shall not impair the rights of any party.

(B) Notice and Response to Charge. The Department shall, within 10 days of the date on which the charge was filed, serve a copy of the charge on the respondent and provide all parties with a notice of the complainant's right to opt out of the investigation within 60 days as set forth in subsection (C-1). This period shall not be construed to be jurisdictional. The charging party and the respondent may each file a position statement and other materials with the Department regarding the charge of alleged discrimination within 60 days of receipt of the notice of the charge. The position statements and other materials filed shall remain confidential unless otherwise agreed to by the party providing the information and shall not be served on or made available to the other party during pendency of a charge with the Department. The Department may require the respondent to file a response to the allegations contained in the charge. Upon the Department's request, the respondent shall file a response to the charge within 60 days and shall serve a copy of its response on the complainant or his or her representative. Notwithstanding any request from the Department, the respondent may elect to file a response to the charge within 60 days of receipt of notice of the charge, provided the respondent serves a copy of its response on the complainant or his or her representative. All allegations contained in the charge not denied by the respondent within 60 days of the Department's request for a response may be deemed admitted, unless the respondent states that it is without sufficient information to form a belief with respect to such allegation. The Department may issue a notice of default directed to any respondent who fails to file a response to a charge within 60 days of receipt of the Department's request, unless the respondent can demonstrate good cause as to why such notice should not issue. The term "good cause" shall be defined by rule promulgated by the Department. Within 30 days of receipt of the respondent's response, the complainant may file a reply to said response and shall serve a copy of said reply on the respondent or his or her representative. A party shall have the right to supplement his or her response or reply at any time that the investigation of the charge is pending. The Department shall, within 10 days of the date on which the charge was filed, and again no later than 335 days thereafter, send by certified or registered mail written notice to the complainant and to the respondent informing the complainant of the complainant's rights to either file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission or commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court under subparagraph (2) of paragraph (G) and under subsection (C-1), including in such notice the dates within which the complainant may exercise these rights. In the notice the Department shall notify the complainant that the charge of civil rights violation will be dismissed with prejudice and with no right to further proceed if a written complaint is not timely filed with the Commission or with the appropriate circuit court by the complainant pursuant to subparagraph (2) of paragraph (G) or subsection (C-1) or by the Department pursuant to subparagraph (1) of paragraph (G).

(B-1) Mediation. The complainant and respondent may agree to voluntarily submit the charge to mediation without waiving any rights that are otherwise available to either party pursuant to this Act and without incurring any obligation to accept the result of the mediation process. Nothing occurring in mediation shall be disclosed by the Department or admissible in evidence in any subsequent proceeding unless the complainant and the respondent agree in writing that such disclosure be made.

(C) Investigation.

(1) The If the complainant does not elect to opt out of an investigation pursuant to subsection (C-1), the Department shall conduct an investigation sufficient to determine whether the allegations set forth in the charge are supported by substantial evidence unless the complainant elects to opt out of an investigation pursuant to subsection (C-1).

(2) The Director or his or her designated representatives shall have authority to request any member of the Commission to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of a witness or the production for examination of any books, records or documents whatsoever.

(3) If any witness whose testimony is required for any investigation resides outside the State, or through illness or any other good cause as determined by the Director is unable to be interviewed by the investigator or appear at a fact finding conference, his or her testimony or deposition may be taken, within or without the State, in the same manner as is provided for in the taking of depositions in civil cases in circuit courts.

(4) Upon reasonable notice to the complainant and the respondent, the Department shall conduct a fact finding conference, unless prior to 365 days after the date on which the charge was filed the Director has determined whether there is substantial evidence that the alleged civil rights violation has been committed, the charge has been dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, or the parties voluntarily and in writing agree to waive the fact finding conference. Any party's failure to attend the conference without good cause shall result in dismissal or default. The term "good cause" shall be defined by rule promulgated by the Department. A notice of dismissal or default shall be issued by the Director. The notice of default issued by the Director shall notify the respondent that a request for review may be filed in writing with the Commission within 30 days of receipt of notice of default. The notice of dismissal issued by the Director shall give the complainant notice of his or her right to seek review of the dismissal before the Human Rights Commission or commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court. If the complainant chooses to have the Human Rights Commission review the dismissal order, he or she shall file a request for review with the Commission within 90 days after receipt of the Director's notice. If the complainant chooses to file a request for review with the Commission, he or she may not later commence a civil action in a circuit court. If the complainant chooses to commence a civil action in a circuit court, he or she must do so within 90 days after receipt of the Director's notice.

(C-1) Opt out of Department's investigation. At any time within 60 days after receipt of notice of the right to opt out, a complainant may submit a written request seeking notice from the Director indicating that the complainant has opted out of the investigation and may commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of competent jurisdiction. Within The Department shall respond to a complainant's opt-out request within 10 business days of receipt of the complainant's request to opt out of the investigation, the Director shall issue a notice to the parties stating that: (i) the complainant has exercised the right to opt out of the investigation; (ii) the complainant has 90 days after receipt of the Director's notice to commence an action in the appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of competent jurisdiction; and (iii) the Department has ceased its investigation and is administratively closing the charge by issuing the complainant a notice of the right to commence an action in circuit court. The Department shall also notify the respondent that the complainant has elected to opt out of the administrative process within 10 business days of receipt of the complainant's request. If the complainant chooses to commence an action in a circuit court under this subsection, he or she must do so within 90 days after receipt of the Director's notice of the right to commence an action in circuit court. The complainant shall notify the Department and the respondent that a complaint has been filed with the appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of competent jurisdiction and shall mail a copy of the complaint to the Department and the respondent on the same date that the complaint is filed with the appropriate circuit court. Upon receipt of notice that the complainant has filed an action with the appropriate circuit court, the Department shall immediately cease its investigation and dismiss the charge of civil rights violation. Once a complainant has opted out of the investigation commenced an action in circuit court under this subsection, he or she may not file or refile a substantially similar charge with the Department arising from the same incident of unlawful discrimination or harassment.

(D) Report.

(1) Each charge investigated under subsection (C) shall be the subject of a report to the Director. The report shall be a confidential document subject to review by the Director, authorized Department employees, the parties, and, where indicated by this Act, members of the Commission or their designated hearing officers.

(2) Upon review of the report, the Director shall determine whether there is substantial evidence that the alleged civil rights violation has been committed. The determination of substantial evidence is limited to determining the need for further consideration of the charge pursuant to this Act and includes, but is not limited to, findings of fact and conclusions, as well as the reasons for the determinations on all material issues. Substantial evidence is evidence which a reasonable mind accepts as sufficient to support a particular conclusion and which consists of more than a mere scintilla but may be somewhat less than a preponderance.

(3) If the Director determines that there is no substantial evidence, the charge shall be dismissed by order of the Director and the Director shall give the complainant notice of his or her right to seek review of the dismissal order before the Commission or commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court. If the complainant chooses to have the Human Rights Commission review the dismissal order, he or she shall file a request for review with the Commission within 90 days after receipt of the Director's notice. If the complainant chooses to file a request for review with the Commission, he or she may not later commence a civil action in a circuit court. If the complainant chooses to commence a civil action in a circuit court, he or she must do so within 90 days after receipt of the Director's notice.

(4) If the Director determines that there is substantial evidence, he or she shall notify the complainant and respondent of that determination. The Director shall also notify the parties that the complainant has the right to either commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court or request that the Department of Human Rights file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on his or her behalf. Any such complaint shall be filed within 90 days after receipt of the Director's notice. If the complainant chooses to have the Department file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on his or her behalf, the complainant must, within 30 days after receipt of the Director's notice, request in writing that the Department file the complaint. If the complainant timely requests that the Department file the complaint, the Department shall file the complaint on his or her behalf. If the complainant fails to timely request that the Department file the complaint, the complainant may file his or her complaint with the Commission or commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court. If the complainant files a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, the complainant shall give notice to the Department of the filing of the complaint with the Human Rights Commission.

(E) Conciliation.

(1) When there is a finding of substantial evidence, the Department may designate a Department employee who is an attorney licensed to practice in Illinois to endeavor to eliminate the effect of the alleged civil rights violation and to prevent its repetition by means of conference and conciliation.

(2) When the Department determines that a formal conciliation conference is necessary, the complainant and respondent shall be notified of the time and place of the conference by registered or certified mail at least 10 days prior thereto and either or both parties shall appear at the conference in person or by attorney.

(3) The place fixed for the conference shall be within 35 miles of the place where the civil rights violation is alleged to have been committed.

(4) Nothing occurring at the conference shall be disclosed by the Department unless the complainant and respondent agree in writing that such disclosure be made.

(5) The Department's efforts to conciliate the matter shall not stay or extend the time for filing the complaint with the Commission or the circuit court.

(F) Complaint.

(1) When the complainant requests that the Department file a complaint with the Commission on his or her behalf, the Department shall prepare a written complaint, under oath or affirmation, stating the nature of the civil rights violation substantially as alleged in the charge previously filed and the relief sought on behalf of the aggrieved party. The Department shall file the complaint with the Commission.

(2) If the complainant chooses to commence a civil action in a circuit court, he or she must do so in the circuit court in the county wherein the civil rights violation was allegedly committed. The form of the complaint in any such civil action shall be in accordance with the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure.

(G) Time Limit.

(1) When a charge of a civil rights violation has been properly filed, the Department, within 365 days thereof or within any extension of that period agreed to in writing by all parties, shall issue its report as required by subparagraph (D). Any such report shall be duly served upon both the complainant and the respondent.

(2) If the Department has not issued its report within 365 days after the charge is filed, or any such longer period agreed to in writing by all the parties, the complainant shall have 90 days to either file his or her own complaint with the Human Rights Commission or commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court. If the complainant files a complaint with the Commission, the form of the complaint shall be in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (F)(1). If the complainant commences a civil action in a circuit court, the form of the complaint shall be in accordance with the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure. The aggrieved party shall notify the Department that a complaint has been filed and shall serve a copy of the complaint on the Department on the same date that the complaint is filed with the Commission or in circuit court. If the complainant files a complaint with the Commission, he or she may not later commence a civil action in circuit court.

(3) If an aggrieved party files a complaint with the Human Rights Commission or commences a civil action in circuit court pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, or if the time period for filing a complaint has expired, the Department shall immediately cease its investigation and dismiss the charge of civil rights violation. Any final order entered by the Commission under this Section is appealable in accordance with paragraph (B)(1) of Section 8-111. Failure to immediately cease an investigation and dismiss the charge of civil rights violation as provided in this paragraph (3) constitutes grounds for entry of an order by the circuit court permanently enjoining the investigation. The Department may also be liable for any costs and other damages incurred by the respondent as a result of the action of the Department.

(4) (Blank).

(H) This amendatory Act of 1995 applies to causes of action filed on or after January 1, 1996.

(I) This amendatory Act of 1996 applies to causes of action filed on or after January 1, 1996.

(J) The changes made to this Section by Public Act 95-243 apply to charges filed on or after the effective date of those changes.

(K) The changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly apply to charges filed on or after the effective date of those changes.

(L) The changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly apply to charges filed on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 100-492, eff. 9-8-17; 100-588, eff. 6-8-18; 100-1066, eff. 8-24-18.)

(775 ILCS 5/8-101) (from Ch. 68, par. 8-101)

Sec. 8-101. Illinois Human Rights Commission.

(A) Creation; appointments. The Human Rights Commission is created to consist of 7 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. No more than 4 members shall be of the same political party. The Governor shall designate one member as chairperson. All appointments shall be in writing and filed with the Secretary of State as a public record.

(B) Terms. Of the members first appointed, 4 shall be appointed for a term to expire on the third Monday of January, 2021, and 3 (including the Chairperson) shall be appointed for a term to expire on the third Monday of January, 2023.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the contrary, the term of office of each member of the Illinois Human Rights Commission is abolished on January 19, 2019. Incumbent members holding a position on the Commission that was created by Public Act 84-115 and whose terms, if not for this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, would have expired January 18, 2021 shall continue to exercise all of the powers and be subject to all of the duties of members of the Commission until June 30, 2019 or until their respective successors are appointed and qualified, whichever is earlier.

Thereafter, each member shall serve for a term of 4 years and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified; except that any member chosen to fill a vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be appointed only for the unexpired term of the member whom he or she shall succeed and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.

(C) Vacancies.

(1) In the case of vacancies on the Commission during a recess of the Senate, the Governor shall make a temporary appointment until the next meeting of the Senate when he or she shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy. Any person so nominated and confirmed by the Senate shall hold office for the remainder of the term and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.

(2) If the Senate is not in session at the time this Act takes effect, the Governor shall make temporary appointments to the Commission as in the case of vacancies.

(3) Vacancies in the Commission shall not impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all the powers of the Commission. Except when authorized by this Act to proceed through a 3 member panel, a majority of the members of the Commission then in office shall constitute a quorum.

(D) Compensation. On and after January 19, 2019, the Chairperson of the Commission shall be compensated at the rate of $125,000 per year, or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater, during his or her service as Chairperson, and each other member shall be compensated at the rate of $119,000 per year, or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater. In addition, all members of the Commission shall be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties.

(E) Notwithstanding the general supervisory authority of the Chairperson, each commissioner, unless appointed to the special temporary panel created under subsection (H), has the authority to hire and supervise a staff attorney. The staff attorney shall report directly to the individual commissioner.

(F) A formal training program for newly appointed commissioners shall be implemented. The training program shall include the following:

(1) substantive and procedural aspects of the office of commissioner;

(2) current issues in employment and housing discrimination and public accommodation law and practice;

(3) orientation to each operational unit of the Human Rights Commission;

(4) observation of experienced hearing officers and commissioners conducting hearings of cases, combined with the opportunity to discuss evidence presented and rulings made;

(5) the use of hypothetical cases requiring the newly appointed commissioner to issue judgments as a means of evaluating knowledge and writing ability;

(6) writing skills; and

(7) professional and ethical standards.

A formal and ongoing professional development program including, but not limited to, the above-noted areas shall be implemented to keep commissioners informed of recent developments and issues and to assist them in maintaining and enhancing their professional competence. Each commissioner shall complete 20 hours of training in the above-noted areas during every 2 years the commissioner remains in office.

(G) Commissioners must meet one of the following qualifications:

(1) licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois;

(2) at least 3 years of experience as a hearing officer at the Human Rights Commission; or

(3) at least 4 years of professional experience working for or dealing with individuals or corporations affected by this Act or similar laws in other jurisdictions, including, but not limited to, experience with a civil rights advocacy group, a fair housing group, a trade association, a union, a law firm, a legal aid organization, an employer's human resources department, an employment discrimination consulting firm, or a municipal human relations agency.

The Governor's appointment message, filed with the Secretary of State and transmitted to the Senate, shall state specifically how the experience of a nominee for commissioner meets the requirement set forth in this subsection. The Chairperson must have public or private sector management and budget experience, as determined by the Governor.

Each commissioner shall devote full time to his or her duties and any commissioner who is an attorney shall not engage in the practice of law, nor shall any commissioner hold any other office or position of profit under the United States or this State or any municipal corporation or political subdivision of this State, nor engage in any other business, employment, or vocation.

(H) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Governor shall appoint, by and with the consent of the Senate, a special temporary panel of commissioners comprised of 3 members. The members shall hold office until the Commission, in consultation with the Governor, determines that the caseload of requests for review has been reduced sufficiently to allow cases to proceed in a timely manner, or for a term of 18 months from the date of appointment by the Governor, whichever is earlier. Each of the 3 members shall have only such rights and powers of a commissioner necessary to dispose of the cases assigned to the special panel. Each of the 3 members appointed to the special panel shall receive the same salary as other commissioners for the duration of the panel. The panel shall have the authority to hire and supervise a staff attorney who shall report to the panel of commissioners.

(Source: P.A. 99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 100-1066, eff. 8-24-18.)

(775 ILCS 5/7-109.1 rep.)

Section 10. The Illinois Human Rights Act is amended by repealing Section 7-109.1.".