Public Act 0661 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB0377 Enrolled LRB101 03116 RJF 48124 b

Public Act 101-0661

AN ACT concerning State government.

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 Sections 7A-104, 8-105, 8-106.1, 8-111, 10-102, 10-103, and 10-104 as follows:

(775 ILCS 5/7A-104) (from Ch. 68, par. 7A-104)

Sec. 7A-104. Judicial Proceedings.

(A) Temporary Relief. (1) At any time after a charge is filed, the Department or complainant may petition the appropriate court for temporary relief, pending final determination of the proceedings under this Act, including an order or judgment restraining the respondent from doing or causing any act which would render ineffectual an order which the Commission may enter with respect to the complainant. Whether it is brought by the Department or by the complainant, the petition shall contain a certification by the Director that the particular matter presents exceptional circumstances in which irreparable injury will result from a civil rights violation in the absence of temporary relief.

(2) The petition shall be filed in the circuit court for the county in which the respondent resides or transacts business or in which the alleged violation took place, and the proceedings shall be governed by Part I of Article XI of the "Code of Civil Procedure", as amended. Except as provided in subsection (A) (3), the court may grant temporary relief or a temporary restraining order as it deems just and proper.

(3) When the petition is based upon a civil rights violation as defined in Article 3 of this Act, the relief or restraining order entered by the court shall not exceed 5 days unless:

(a) A longer period is agreed to by the respondent; or

(b) The court finds that there is substantial evidence to demonstrate that the respondent has engaged in unlawful discrimination.

(B) Expedited Proceedings. (1) A complainant or the Department at the request of the complainant may at any time petition the circuit court for expedited proceedings. Except as to causes the circuit court considers to be of greater importance, consideration of petitions for expedited proceedings under this subsection shall take precedence on the docket over all other causes and be assigned for hearing at the earliest practicable date and expedited in every way.

(2) Venue for a petition filed under this subsection shall lie in the county where the respondent resides or is found or where the alleged violation was committed.

(3) Any petition filed by the complainant shall name the Department, Commission and the respondent. Any petition filed by the Department, upon request of the complainant, shall name the Commission and the respondent.

(4) If the circuit court determines that the complainant is likely to die before the termination of the proceedings under this Act, it may order the proceedings expedited. When an order for expedited proceedings is issued, the processing of the complainant's charge by the Department and Commission shall take precedence over all matters except older matters of the same character. Where such order is issued, the Department, the Commission, any panel of the Commission, or any Commission hearing officer shall be authorized to shorten any time period, other than the filing period set by Section 7A-102(A)(1) 180 day charge filing period set by this Act or by rule. If such an order is issued and the complainant is before the Department, the Department shall immediately appoint an investigator if an investigator has not been appointed and shall in 90 days either file a complaint or order that no complaint be issued. If the Department fails to make a determination within 90 days the complainant shall have 30 days to file his complaint with the Commission.

(C) Enforcement of Commission Orders. When authorized by this Act, the Department, at the request of the Commission, may take whatever action may be authorized for the enforcement of Commission orders.

(Source: P.A. 86-910; 86-1028.)

(775 ILCS 5/8-105) (from Ch. 68, par. 8-105)

Sec. 8-105. Settlement.

(A) Approval.

(1) When a proposed settlement is submitted by the Department, the Commission, through a panel of 3 members, shall determine whether to approve its terms and conditions.

(2) A settlement of any complaint and its underlying charge or charges may be effectuated at any time upon agreement of the parties, with or without the Commission's approval, and shall act as a full and final resolution of the matter. If the parties desire that the Commission retain jurisdiction over the matter for purposes of enforcing the terms of the settlement, the terms shall be reduced to writing, signed by the parties, and submitted to the Commission for approval. The Commission, through a panel of 3 members, shall determine whether to approve the settlement.

(3) Approval of the settlement shall be accomplished by an order, served on the parties and the Department, in accord with the written terms of the settlement.

(B) Violation. When the Department files notice of a settlement order violation, the Commission, through a panel of three members, may either order the Department to seek enforcement of the settlement order pursuant to paragraph (C) (B) of Section 8-111 or remand for any type of hearing as it may deem necessary pursuant to paragraph (D) of Section 8A-103.

(C) Dismissal for Refusal to Accept Settlement Offer. The Commission shall dismiss a complaint and the underlying charge or charges of the complaint if the Commission is satisfied that:

1. the respondent has eliminated the effects of the civil rights violation charged and taken steps to prevent repetition of the violation; or

2. the respondent offers and the complainant declines to accept the terms of settlement that the Commission determines are sufficient to eliminate the effect of the civil rights violation charged and to prevent repetition of the violation.

In determining whether the respondent has eliminated the effects of the civil rights violation charged, or has offered terms of settlement sufficient to eliminate same, the Commission shall consider the extent to which the respondent has either fully provided, or reasonably offered by way of terms of settlement, as the case may be, the relevant relief available to the complainant under Section 8A-104 of this Act.

At any time after the service of a complaint pursuant to Section 8A-102 of this Act, and prior to service of a decision prepared pursuant to Section 8A-102(I), a respondent may move for a recommended order dismissing a complaint and the underlying charge or charges for complainant's refusal to accept terms of settlement that are sufficient to eliminate the effects of the civil rights violation charged in the complaint and to eliminate repetition of the violation. Respondent's motion and complainant's reply, if any, shall comply with the requirements for summary decision set forth in Section 8-106.1 of this Act.

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

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(775 ILCS 5/8-106.1) (from Ch. 68, par. 8-106.1)

Sec. 8-106.1. Summary Decision.

(1) At any time after the service of a complaint and prior to service of a decision pursuant to Section 8A-102(I) or 8B-102(J) 8-106(I), complainant or respondent may move with or without supporting affidavits for a summary order in the moving party's favor as to all or any part of the relief sought. A hearing officer may not preclude the filing of said motion except within the 60-day period prior to hearing on the merits of the complaint.

(2) Procedure. The non-moving party may file counteraffidavits prior to the time of the ruling on the motion. The hearing officer shall decide the motion without delay and shall grant it if the pleadings and affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a recommended order as a matter of law. The term "without delay" shall be defined by rule promulgated by the Commission. An interim summary recommended order, interlocutory in character, may be rendered on the issue of liability alone although there is a genuine issue as to the relief to be awarded.

(3) Affidavits or Motions Made in Bad Faith. If it appears to the satisfaction of the hearing officer at any time that any affidavit or motion presented pursuant to this Section is presented in bad faith or solely for the purpose of delay, the hearing officer may recommend that the party employing the use of affidavits for dilatory purposes shall pay to the other party the amount of reasonable expenses incurred as a result of the filing of the affidavit or motion, including reasonable attorney's fees.

(Source: P.A. 89-370, eff. 8-18-95.)

(775 ILCS 5/8-111) (from Ch. 68, par. 8-111)

Sec. 8-111. Court Proceedings.

(A) Civil Actions Commenced in Circuit Court.

(1) Venue. Civil actions commenced in a circuit court pursuant to Section 7A-102 shall be commenced in the circuit court in the county in which the civil rights violation was allegedly committed.

(2) If a civil action is commenced in a circuit court, the form of the complaint shall be in accordance with the Code of Civil Procedure.

(3) If a civil action is commenced in a circuit court under Section 7A-102, the plaintiff or defendant may demand trial by jury.

(4) Remedies. Upon the finding of a civil rights violation, the circuit court or jury may award any of the remedies set forth in Section 8A-104.

(B) Judicial Review.

(1) Any complainant or respondent may apply for and obtain judicial review of a final order of the Commission entered under this Act by filing a petition for review in the Appellate Court within 35 days from the date that a copy of the decision sought to be reviewed was served upon the party affected by the decision. If a 3-member panel or the full Commission finds that an interlocutory order involves a question of law as to which there is substantial ground for difference of opinion and that an immediate appeal from the order may materially advance the ultimate termination of the litigation, any party may petition the Appellate Court for permission to appeal the order. The procedure for obtaining the required Commission findings and the permission of the Appellate Court shall be governed by Supreme Court Rule 308, except the references to the "trial court" shall be understood as referring to the Commission.

(2) In any proceeding brought for judicial review, the Commission's findings of fact shall be sustained unless the court determines that such findings are contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence.

(3) Venue. Proceedings for judicial review shall be commenced in the appellate court for the district wherein the civil rights violation which is the subject of the Commission's order was allegedly committed.

(C) Judicial Enforcement.

(1) When the Commission, at the instance of the Department or an aggrieved party, concludes that any person has violated a valid order of the Commission issued pursuant to this Act, and the violation and its effects are not promptly corrected, the Commission, through a panel of 3 members, shall order the Department to commence an action in the name of the People of the State of Illinois by complaint, alleging the violation, attaching a copy of the order of the Commission and praying for the issuance of an order directing such person, his or her or its officers, agents, servants, successors and assigns to comply with the order of the Commission.

(2) An aggrieved party may file a complaint for enforcement of a valid order of the Commission directly in Circuit Court.

(3) Upon the commencement of an action filed under paragraphs (1) or (2) of this subsection, (B) of this Section the court shall have jurisdiction over the proceedings and power to grant or refuse, in whole or in part, the relief sought or impose such other remedy as the court may deem proper.

(4) The court may stay an order of the Commission in accordance with the applicable Supreme Court rules, pending disposition of the proceedings.

(5) The court may punish for any violation of its order as in the case of civil contempt.

(6) Venue. Proceedings for judicial enforcement of a Commission order shall be commenced in the circuit court in the county wherein the civil rights violation which is the subject of the Commission's order was committed.

(D) Limitation. Except as otherwise provided by law, no court of this state shall have jurisdiction over the subject of an alleged civil rights violation other than as set forth in this Act.

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

(F) The changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly apply to charges or complaints filed with the Department or the Commission on or after the effective date of those changes.

(Source: P.A. 95-243, eff. 1-1-08.)

(775 ILCS 5/10-102) (from Ch. 68, par. 10-102)

Sec. 10-102. Court Actions. (A) Circuit Court Actions. (1) An aggrieved party may commence a civil action in an appropriate Circuit Court not later than 2 years after the occurrence or the termination of an alleged civil rights violation or the breach of a conciliation or settlement agreement entered into under this Act, whichever occurs last, to obtain appropriate relief with respect to the alleged civil rights violation or breach. Venue for such civil action shall be determined under Section 8-111(A)(1) (B)(6).

(2) The computation of such 2-year period shall not include any time during which an administrative proceeding under this Act was pending with respect to a complaint or charge under this Act based upon the alleged civil rights violation. This paragraph does not apply to actions arising from a breach of a conciliation or settlement agreement.

(3) An aggrieved party may commence a civil action under this subsection whether or not a charge has been filed under Section 7B-102 and without regard to the status of any such charge, however, if the Department or local agency has obtained a conciliation or settlement agreement with the consent of an aggrieved party, no action may be filed under this subsection by such aggrieved party with respect to the alleged civil rights violation practice which forms the basis for such complaint except for the purpose of enforcing the terms of such conciliation or settlement agreement.

(4) An aggrieved party shall not commence a civil action under this subsection with respect to an alleged civil rights violation which forms the basis of a complaint issued by the Department if a hearing officer has commenced a hearing on the record under Article 3 of this Act with respect to such complaint.

(B) Appointment of Attorney by Court. Upon application by a person alleging a civil rights violation or a person against whom the civil rights violation is alleged, if in the opinion of the court such person is financially unable to bear the costs of such action, the court may:

(1) appoint an attorney for such person, any attorney so appointed may petition for an award of attorneys fees pursuant to subsection (C)(2) of this Section; or

(2) authorize the commencement or continuation of a civil action under subsection (A) without the payment of fees, costs, or security.

(C) Relief which may be granted. (1) In a civil action under subsection (A) if the court finds that a civil rights violation has occurred or is about to occur, the court may award to the plaintiff actual and punitive damages, and may grant as relief, as the court deems appropriate, any permanent or preliminary injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order, including an order enjoining the defendant from engaging in such civil rights violation or ordering such affirmative action as may be appropriate.

(2) In a civil action under subsection (A), the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party, other than the State of Illinois, reasonable attorneys fees and costs. The State of Illinois shall be liable for such fees and costs to the same extent as a private person.

(D) Intervention By The Department. The Attorney General of Illinois may intervene on behalf of the Department if the Department certifies that the case is of general public importance. Upon such intervention the court may award such relief as is authorized to be granted to a plaintiff in a civil action under Section 10-102(C).

(Source: P.A. 86-910.)

(775 ILCS 5/10-103) (from Ch. 68, par. 10-103)

(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 101-530)

Sec. 10-103. Circuit court actions pursuant to election.

(A) If an election is made under Section 8B-102, the Department shall authorize and not later than 30 days after the election is made the Attorney General shall commence and maintain a civil action on behalf of the aggrieved party in a circuit court of Illinois seeking relief under this Section. Venue for such civil action shall be determined under Section 8-111(A)(1) (B)(6).

(B) Any aggrieved party with respect to the issues to be determined in a civil action under this Section may intervene as of right in that civil action.

(C) In a civil action under this Section, if the court finds that a civil rights violation has occurred or is about to occur the court may grant as relief any relief which a court could grant with respect to such civil rights violation in a civil action under Section 10-102. Any relief so granted that would accrue to an aggrieved party in a civil action commenced by that aggrieved party under Section 10-102 shall also accrue to that aggrieved party in a civil action under this Section. If monetary relief is sought for the benefit of an aggrieved party who does not intervene in the civil action, the court shall not award such relief if that aggrieved party has not complied with discovery orders entered by the court.

(Source: P.A. 86-910.)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 101-530)

Sec. 10-103. Circuit court actions pursuant to election.

(A) If an election is made under Section 8B-102, the Department shall authorize and not later than 30 days after the entry of the administrative closure order by the Commission the Attorney General shall commence and maintain a civil action on behalf of the aggrieved party in a circuit court of Illinois seeking relief under this Section. Venue for such civil action shall be determined under Section 8-111(A)(1) (B)(6).

(B) Any aggrieved party with respect to the issues to be determined in a civil action under this Section may intervene as of right in that civil action.

(C) In a civil action under this Section, if the court finds that a civil rights violation has occurred or is about to occur the court may grant as relief any relief which a court could grant with respect to such civil rights violation in a civil action under Section 10-102. Any relief so granted that would accrue to an aggrieved party in a civil action commenced by that aggrieved party under Section 10-102 shall also accrue to that aggrieved party in a civil action under this Section. If monetary relief is sought for the benefit of an aggrieved party who does not intervene in the civil action, the court shall not award such relief if that aggrieved party has not complied with discovery orders entered by the court.

(Source: P.A. 101-530, eff. 1-1-20.)

(775 ILCS 5/10-104)

Sec. 10-104. Circuit Court Actions by the Illinois Attorney General.

(A) Standing, venue, limitations on actions, preliminary investigations, notice, and Assurance of Voluntary Compliance.

(1) Whenever the Illinois Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern and practice of discrimination prohibited by this Act, the Illinois Attorney General may commence a civil action in the name of the People of the State, as parens patriae on behalf of persons within the State to enforce the provisions of this Act in any appropriate circuit court. Venue for this civil action shall be determined under paragraph (1) (6) of subsection (A) (C) of Section 8-111. Such actions shall be commenced no later than 2 years after the occurrence or the termination of an alleged civil rights violation or the breach of a conciliation agreement or Assurance of Voluntary Compliance entered into under this Act, whichever occurs last, to obtain relief with respect to the alleged civil rights violation or breach.

(2) Prior to initiating a civil action, the Attorney General shall conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern and practice of discrimination declared unlawful by this Act and whether the dispute can be resolved without litigation. In conducting this investigation, the Attorney General may:

(a) require the individual or entity to file a statement or report in writing under oath or otherwise, as to all information the Attorney General may consider necessary;

(b) examine under oath any person alleged to have participated in or with knowledge of the alleged pattern and practice violation; or

(c) issue subpoenas or conduct hearings in aid of any investigation.

(3) Service by the Attorney General of any notice requiring a person to file a statement or report, or of a subpoena upon any person, shall be made:

(a) personally by delivery of a duly executed copy thereof to the person to be served or, if a person is not a natural person, in the manner provided in the Code of Civil Procedure when a complaint is filed; or

(b) by mailing by certified mail a duly executed copy thereof to the person to be served at his or her last known abode or principal place of business within this State.

(4) In lieu of a civil action, the individual or entity alleged to have engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination deemed violative of this Act may enter into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with respect to the alleged pattern or practice violation.

(5) The Illinois Attorney General may commence a civil action under this subsection (A) whether or not a charge has been filed under Sections 7A-102 or 7B-102 and without regard to the status of any charge, however, if the Department or local agency has obtained a conciliation or settlement agreement or if the parties have entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance no action may be filed under this subsection (A) with respect to the alleged civil rights violation practice that forms the basis for the complaint except for the purpose of enforcing the terms of the conciliation or settlement agreement or the terms of the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance.

(6) Subpoenas.

(a) Petition for enforcement. Whenever any person fails to comply with any subpoena issued under paragraph (2) of this subsection (A), or whenever satisfactory copying or reproduction of any material requested in an investigation cannot be done and the person refuses to surrender the material, the Attorney General may file in any appropriate circuit court, and serve upon the person, a petition for a court order for the enforcement of the subpoena or other request. Venue for this enforcement action shall be determined under paragraph (E)(1) (C)(6) of Section 8-104 8-111.

(b) Petition to modify or set aside a subpoena.

(i) Any person who has received a subpoena issued under paragraph (2) of this subsection (A) may file in the appropriate circuit court, and serve upon the Attorney General, a petition for a court order to modify or set aside the subpoena or other request. The petition must be filed either (I) within 20 days after the date of service of the subpoena or at any time before the return date specified in the subpoena, whichever date is earlier, or (II) within such longer period as may be prescribed in writing by the Attorney General.

(ii) The petition shall specify each ground upon which the petitioner relies in seeking relief under subdivision (i) and may be based upon any failure of the subpoena to comply with the provisions of this Section or upon any constitutional or other legal right or privilege of the petitioner. During the pendency of the petition in the court, the court may stay, as it deems proper, the running of the time allowed for compliance with the subpoena or other request, in whole or in part, except that the petitioner shall comply with any portion of the subpoena or other request not sought to be modified or set aside.

(c) Jurisdiction. Whenever any petition is filed in any circuit court under this paragraph (6), the court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter so presented and to enter such orders as may be required to carry out the provisions of this Section. Any final order so entered shall be subject to appeal in the same manner as appeals of other final orders in civil matters. Any disobedience of any final order entered under this paragraph (6) by any court shall be punished as a contempt of the court.

(B) Relief which may be granted.

(1) In any civil action brought pursuant to subsection (A) of this Section, the Attorney General may obtain as a remedy, equitable relief (including any permanent or preliminary injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order, including an order enjoining the defendant from engaging in such civil rights violation or ordering any action as may be appropriate). In addition, the Attorney General may request and the Court may impose a civil penalty to vindicate the public interest:

(a) for violations of Article 3 and Article 4 in an amount not exceeding $25,000 per violation, and in the case of violations of all other Articles in an amount not exceeding $10,000 if the defendant has not been adjudged to have committed any prior civil rights violations under the provision of the Act that is the basis of the complaint;

(b) for violations of Article 3 and Article 4 in an amount not exceeding $50,000 per violation, and in the case of violations of all other Articles in an amount not exceeding $25,000 if the defendant has been adjudged to have committed one other civil rights violation under the provision of the Act within 5 years of the occurrence of the civil rights violation that is the basis of the complaint; and

(c) for violations of Article 3 and Article 4 in an amount not exceeding $75,000 per violation, and in the case of violations of all other Articles in an amount not exceeding $50,000 if the defendant has been adjudged to have committed 2 or more civil rights violations under the provision of the Act within 5 years of the occurrence of the civil rights violation that is the basis of the complaint.

(2) A civil penalty imposed under subdivision (B)(1) of this Section shall be deposited into the Attorney General Court Ordered and Voluntary Compliance Payment Projects Fund, which is a special fund in the State Treasury. Moneys in the Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, for the performance of any function pertaining to the exercise of the duties of the Attorney General including but not limited to enforcement of any law of this State and conducting public education programs; however, any moneys in the Fund that are required by the court or by an agreement to be used for a particular purpose shall be used for that purpose.

(3) Aggrieved parties seeking actual damages must follow the procedure set out in Sections 7A-102 or 7B-102 for filing a charge.

(Source: P.A. 97-1032, eff. 1-1-13.)

Section 95. No acceleration or delay. Where this Act makes changes in a statute that is represented in this Act by text that is not yet or no longer in effect (for example, a Section represented by multiple versions), the use of that text does not accelerate or delay the taking effect of (i) the changes made by this Act or (ii) provisions derived from any other Public Act.".

Section 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.

Effective Date: 4/2/2021