HB 178

Abstract

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. In cases other than real estate transaction cases: provides that the Department of Human Rights shall serve on (instead of send by certified or registered mail to) the parties written notice of the complainant's right to sue in court or file with the Human Rights Commission; provides that the time within which to file a party's position statement and a respondent's response to the charge is 30 (instead of 60) days; and provides that the Department may issue a default within 30 (instead of 60) days. In cases other than real estate transaction cases, provides that 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 (instead of providing that upon reasonable notice to the complainant and the respondent, the Department shall conduct a fact finding conference prior to 365 days after the date on which the charge was filed, unless the Director has determined whether there is substantial evidence that the alleged civil rights violation has been committed or the charge has been dismissed for lack of jurisdiction). In real estate transaction cases, provides that the parties may voluntarily waive the fact finding conference requirement.