SPRINGFIELD – To provide all victims of human rights violations the opportunity to seek justice, State Senator Laura Fine is working on legislation with the Illinois Department of Human Rights to improve how they investigate possible violations.

“With this law, we are assuring Illinoisans who have a human rights complaint that we hear them and are willing to fight for them,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “There will be more avenues to pursue justice with this measure and will help ensure no one slips through the cracks.”

House Bill 3135 would improve how the Department of Human Rights (DHR) investigates claims in a few crucial ways. First, in cases concerning housing discrimination, it allows the ability for the complainant to petition for temporary housing relief while the judicial proceedings continue. Second, it will allow DHR to more thoroughly investigate a possible violation if the Human Rights Commission requests it. Third, it allows the Attorney General to intervene in civil actions in state or federal court for all complaints. All of these improvements will better support the complainant and provide them more options when pursuing further action on their complaint.

House Bill 3135 passed the Senate Human Rights Committee on Thursday. It now goes to the Senate floor for debate.