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"We will not tolerate discrimination of
any kind in Illinois," Gov. Blagojevich said. "The new law I am
signing today is a critical step forward in the struggle for
equality. I am proud to be able to extend the guarantee of fairness
and equality in the eyes of the law to all of Illinois' residents."
Sen. Carol Ronen and Rep. Larry
McKeon, both of Chicago, sponsored the amendment to the Illinois
Human Rights Act, which passed both houses of the General Assembly
with solid majorities.
"This is a day I will always
remember," Ronen said. "We are fulfilling the legacy of the Land of
Lincoln -- the land of equality under the law."
"This is a great day for equal
justice for all Illinoisans," McKeon said. "Many people,
organizations and elected officials contributed to this victory. I
would like to thank them for all of their hard work. I would also
like to personally thank Governor Blagojevich for his exceptional
leadership and support over the past two years to ensure this bill's
passage."
The original Human Rights Act, which
passed in 1979 and became effective in 1980, guarantees freedom from
unlawful discrimination on the basis of a variety of factors,
including race, religion, sex, age and a number of other
characteristics, now including sexual orientation. Discrimination is
prohibited in relation to employment, real estate transactions,
access to financial credit and the availability of public services
and accommodations. It also provides protection from harassment in
employment and higher education and against retaliation for filing a
discrimination charge.
Advocates have worked for nearly 30
years to add sexual orientation to the Illinois Human Rights Act.
Legislation was introduced on a variety of occasions, starting in
1976. A version of the bill passed the House on several occasions
but never won approval in the Senate until last week.
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 "In our Pledge of Allegiance, we
describe ourselves as a nation where there is ‘liberty and justice
for all,'" the governor said. "Signing this legislation allows us to
fulfill that promise to more of the citizens of this state."
The Illinois Department of Human
Rights, which administers the act, received approximately 4,000
charges of discrimination in fiscal 2004, prior to the extension of
the act. Based on a study done by the department in 1997-98, 275 to
300 additional complaints per year are anticipated with the addition
of sexual orientation.
Any individual wishing to file a
complaint can do so in writing, by phone or in person with the
Illinois Department of Human Rights office, generally within 180
days of the date of the alleged discrimination. More information and
the complaint forms are available through the department's website,
http://www.state.il.us/dhr.
The
Illinois Department of Human Rights has offices at the following two
locations:
100 W.
Randolph St., Suite 10-100
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-6200
(312) 263-1579 TTY
222 S.
College, Floor 1
Springfield, IL 62704
(217) 785-5100
(217) 785-5125 TTY
[News release from the
governor's office]
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