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.



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A BILL FOR
 


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1 AN ACT concerning human rights.


2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly: 


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




6 (775 ILCS 5/7-101) (from Ch. 68, par. 7-101)



7 Sec. 7-101. Powers and Duties. In addition to other powers 
8and
and duties
prescribed in this Act, the Department shall 
9have the following powers:
10 (A) Rules and Regulations. To adopt, promulgate, amend, and 
11rescind rules
and regulations not inconsistent with the 
12provisions of this Act pursuant
to the Illinois Administrative 
13Procedure Act.

14 (B) Charges. To issue, receive, investigate, conciliate, 
15settle, and dismiss
charges filed in conformity with this Act.

16 (C) Compulsory Process. To request subpoenas as it deems 
17necessary for
its investigations.

18 (D) Complaints. To file complaints with the Commission in 
19conformity
with this Act.

20 (E) Judicial Enforcement. To seek temporary relief and to 
21enforce orders
of the Commission in conformity with this Act.

22 (F) Equal Employment Opportunities. To take such action as 
23may be authorized
to provide for equal employment opportunities 
 
 
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1and affirmative action.

2 (G) Recruitment; Research; Public Communication; Advisory 
3Councils. To
engage in such recruitment, research and public 
4communication and create
such advisory councils as may be 
5authorized to effectuate the purposes of
this Act.

6 (H) Coordination with other Agencies. To coordinate its

7activities with federal, state, and local agencies in 
8conformity with this Act.

9 (I) Public Grants; Private Gifts. To accept public grants 
10and private
gifts as may be authorized.

11 (J) Education and Training. To implement a formal and 
12unbiased program
of education and training for all employees 
13assigned to investigate and
conciliate charges under Articles 
147A and 7B. The training program shall
include the following:


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


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


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


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


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


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


4  (7) writing skills;


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

7 A formal, unbiased and ongoing professional development 
8program
including, but not limited to, the above-noted areas 
9shall be implemented
to keep Department investigators and 
10attorneys informed of recent
developments and issues and to 
11assist them in maintaining and enhancing
their professional 
12competence.

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