The approved changes align the Cook County Commission on Human Rights’ Procedural Rules with 2023 amendments to the Human Rights Ordinance, and include the following specific amendments:
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Addition of Section 490.270 - Individual Right of Action;
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Amendments throughout Part 500 to incorporate “bodily autonomy” protection;
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Revised definition of “Unlawful Discrimination” to align with the Human Rights Ordinance;
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Amendments throughout to use gender-neutral language; and,
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Amendments throughout to increase Commission access and remove procedural barriers to filing complaints.
Revising the Cook County Commission on Human Rights’ Procedural Rules “to make the process more streamlined and efficient for residents who have experienced discrimination” was an objective outlined in Equity Fund Recommendation 2.2. For any specific questions regarding the amendments, please email Julia.epplin-zapf@cookcountyil.gov.
Cook County’s Paid Leave Ordinance began enforcement Thursday, February 1, 2024. Employees in suburban Cook County should earn at least 1 hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, which can be used for any reason.
If you are unsure how the County’s Paid Leave Ordinance applies to you, please explore the Commission’s digital resources, including:
Additionally, the Commission and Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection hosted a joint training about paid leave protections on January 22. If you were unable to join live, the recording is available on YouTube.
The Cook County Living Wage Ordinance (“Living Wage”) requires that all employers who contract with Cook County government to provide labor or who operate on property in the County that receives a Class 6B, Class 8, or Class 9 property tax incentive pay their employees not less than a living wage as determined annually by Cook County’s Chief Financial Officer.
The Cook County Living Wage memo was issued on January 24, 2024, and is available in the downloads section on the Living Wage Ordinance and Regulations webpage. The 2024 Living Wage is $15.00 per hour for employers who provide health benefits to an employee where the employee’s health benefit contribution does not exceed 25% of the cost of the health benefit premium. Otherwise, the living wage is $18.75 per hour.
 2/28/2024 – Renters’ Rights in Cook County
Join the Commission on Human Rights, South Suburban Housing Center, and Metropolitan Family Services Legal Aid Society for a webinar about renters’ rights on February 28, 2024 at 6 PM. This collaborative training will discuss updates regarding Cook County’s fair housing protections, tenants’ rights during an eviction, and court based rental assistance. Register at https://bit.ly/ccrentersrights.
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Related links:
Chicago Commission on Human Relations
Illinois Department of Human Rights
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