Discrimination Laws
| Level | Discrimination Law | Description | Enforcement Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | Americans with Disabilities Act | The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (Title I) |
| Federal | Fair Housing Act | The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for any housing. | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) |
| State | Illinois Human Rights Act | The Illinois Human Rights Act is a state law that prohibits discrimination in Illinois with respect to employment, financial credit, public accommodations and real estate transactions. | Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) |
| State | The EBA is the statute that governs physical access for people with disabilities in new construction, additions and alterations to public facilities, and the IAC contains the required design standards. | Office of the Illinois Attorney General, Disability Rights Bureau | |
| County | Cook County Human Rights Ordinance | The Ordinance protects all people who live and work in the County from discrimination and harassment in employment, public accommodations, housing, credit transactions, and access to County programs and contracts. | Cook County Commission on Human Rights |
| City | Chicago Human Rights Ordinance | The Chicago Human Rights Ordinance prohibits discrimination in employment, public accommodations, credit transactions, and bonding, as well as retaliation. | Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) |
| City | Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance | The Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance prohibits housing discrimination. | Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) |
Disability Organizations
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Chicagoland Business Leadership Network | Illinois’ only business-led, business-focused organization that addresses specific needs relating to the inclusion of people with disabilities from a talent, customer, supplier diversity and community perspective. A program of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the CBLN is an approved affiliate of the U.S. Business Leadership Network. |
| Illinois Network for Centers of Independent Living | CILs are non-residential, community based organizations, directed and managed by persons with disabilities, dedicated to the philosophy that all people with disabilities have the right and the responsibility to make choices to control the direction of their lives and participate fully and equally in their communities. |
| disabilityworks | disabilityworks, an exciting initiative from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the City of Chicago, is designed to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities throughout Illinois. |
| Great Lakes ADA Center | Great Lakes ADA Center is a great resource for ADA information through free technical assistance for all stakeholders and ADA training. The website contains numerous resources and the Center offers numerous learning opportunities. |
| Health and Disability Advocates (HDA) | Seeks to assure that low-income older adults, children and adults with disabilities lead secure and dignified lives. HDA advocates for policies that promote economic security and provide health coverage. |
| Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | The Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is the lead state agency responsible for improving Illinois’ competitiveness in the global economy. Guided by an innovative regional approach, DCEO administers a wide range of economic and workforce development programs, services and initiatives designed to create and retain high quality jobs and build strong communities. DCEO leads the Illinois economic development process in partnership with businesses, local governments, workers and families. |
| JJ’s List | JJ’s List strengthens economic ties between businesses and people with disabilities for the benefit of both. They also offer Disability Awareness Training for Businesses and Communication Skills Training for People with Disabilities. |
| Job Accommodation Network (JAN) | JAN is a program of the U.S. Department of Labor and an excellent resource for finding information concerning reasonable accommodations, including fact sheets with accommodation ideas and technical assistance specialists. |
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Become a Member of the Illinois ADA Project Steering Committee
The Illinois ADA Project Steering Committee is always looking for new members. If you are interested in joining, please contact Illinois ADA Project Manager, Lauren Galloway
Illinois ADA Project Manager
c/o Equip For Equality
20 N. Michigan, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60602
877-ADA-3601 (Voice) | 800-610-2779 (TTY) | 312-541-7544 (Fax)