SB0391 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 05022 HEP 15032 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB0391

Introduced 1/24/2017, by Sen. John J. Cullerton

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

775 ILCS 5/7-101

from Ch. 68, par. 7-101

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the powers and duties of the Department of Human Rights.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning human rights.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Human Rights Act is amended by changing Section 7-101 as follows:

(775 ILCS 5/7-101) (from Ch. 68, par. 7-101)

Sec. 7-101. Powers and Duties. In addition to other powers and and duties prescribed in this Act, the Department shall have the following powers:

(A) Rules and Regulations. To adopt, promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(B) Charges. To issue, receive, investigate, conciliate, settle, and dismiss charges filed in conformity with this Act.

(C) Compulsory Process. To request subpoenas as it deems necessary for its investigations.

(D) Complaints. To file complaints with the Commission in conformity with this Act.

(E) Judicial Enforcement. To seek temporary relief and to enforce orders of the Commission in conformity with this Act.

(F) Equal Employment Opportunities. To take such action as may be authorized to provide for equal employment opportunities and affirmative action.

(G) Recruitment; Research; Public Communication; Advisory Councils. To engage in such recruitment, research and public communication and create such advisory councils as may be authorized to effectuate the purposes of this Act.

(H) Coordination with other Agencies. To coordinate its activities with federal, state, and local agencies in conformity with this Act.

(I) Public Grants; Private Gifts. To accept public grants and private gifts as may be authorized.

(J) Education and Training. To implement a formal and unbiased program of education and training for all employees assigned to investigate and conciliate charges under Articles 7A and 7B. The training program shall include the following:

(1) substantive and procedural aspects of the investigation and conciliation positions;

(2) current issues in human rights law and practice;

(3) lectures by specialists in substantive areas related to human rights matters;

(4) orientation to each operational unit of the Department and Commission;

(5) observation of experienced Department investigators and attorneys conducting conciliation conferences, combined with the opportunity to discuss evidence presented and rulings made;

(6) the use of hypothetical cases requiring the Department investigator and conciliation conference attorney to issue judgments as a means to evaluating knowledge and writing ability;

(7) writing skills;

(8) computer skills, including but not limited to word processing and document management.

A formal, unbiased and ongoing professional development program including, but not limited to, the above-noted areas shall be implemented to keep Department investigators and attorneys informed of recent developments and issues and to assist them in maintaining and enhancing their professional competence.

(Source: P.A. 99-74, eff. 7-20-15.)