Everyone should be treated fairly under the law, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. Discrimination exists, and people’s rights are targeted based on their race, color, sex, religion, and sexual orientation. This is not only wrong, it is illegal.
From police brutality to harsh and unfair prison conditions, to violations in the workplace that put certain groups at an economic disadvantage, inequality exists in our society. Ben Crump Law, PLLC believes discrimination, wherever it is found, should be fought. If you believe your rights have been violated, a Chicago civil rights lawyer may be able to help you seek compensation for your suffering. Contact our offices at 800-658-8448 to learn more about how we can help.
Chicago Civil Rights Laws
Several federal laws protect against discrimination, most notably the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbids discrimination in employment, education, and access to public facilities and accommodations on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, and religion.
The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago have their own laws in place to further protect citizens from discrimination. The Illinois Human Rights Act offers protection from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age (over 40), order of protection status, marital status, physical or mental disability, and sexual orientation.
This act established the Illinois Department of Human Rights, which is responsible for handling civil rights violation complaints for the state. Together with the Human Rights Commission, the agency works to investigate and resolve claims of discrimination in employment, financial credit, public accommodations, and housing. The agencies also look into sexual harassment claims.
The Illinois Civil Rights Act of 2006 further protects citizens from harm or injury by law enforcement. The act states that anyone who is harmed while being compelled to provide information about a criminal act, or anyone who is injured while being compelled to confess to a criminal charge, is entitled to sue for personal injury or property damage, regardless of any criminal action brought against the individual.
The city of Chicago has its own Commission on Human Relations. This agency enforces the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance and the Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance. In addition to handling discrimination complaints, the Commission works to improve race relations in Chicago. The Commission encourages the reporting of hate crimes and provides advocacy for hate crime victims.
If you believe you have been a victim of discrimination, a Chicago civil rights lawyer can help you file a complaint with the Illinois Human Rights Commission or Chicago Commission on Human Relations, as well as help you with a discrimination lawsuit.
For a free legal consultation with a civil rights lawyer serving Chicago, call 800-658-8448
The Chicago Police Department
The U.S. Department of Justice found that the Chicago Police Department violated people’s civil rights by using excessive force and racial discrimination, according to the Thomson Reuters Foundation. If you believe you were discriminated against by the Chicago Police Department, you might be able to file a lawsuit against them, like many others have.
In 2019, a district judge approved a consent decree requiring reforms aimed at safer and more constitutional policing, as well as efforts to build trust between the community and police. As part of the decree, the CPD must implement dozens of policy changes, including issuing monthly use-of-force reports and documenting every time an officer draws his weapon.
Chicago Civil Rights Lawyer Near Me 800-658-8448
Incarceration Rates
Millions of Americans are imprisoned and are in jail. A disproportionate number of inmates are African American. Black men are imprisoned at six times the rate of white men, according to the Pew Research Center.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC
Ben Crump Law, PLLC wants to fight discrimination wherever it exists, be it in the workplace, government agencies, prisons, or police forces. You have the right to be treated with dignity, respect, and with the same rights afforded to every American.
If you have been harmed by discrimination, a Chicago civil rights lawyer may be able to help. You may be able to sue for damages, including:
- Personal injury: If you were physically injured, you might be entitled to sue for medical costs, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, and more.
- Lost wages: If you were fired from your job based on discrimination, you might be able to seek compensation for lost wages. You may also be able to seek damages if you were denied employment opportunities.
- Pain and suffering: You might seek compensation for stress, anxiety, and mental anguish.
- Punitive damages: If the person or entity that discriminated against you acted particularly recklessly or maliciously, you might be eligible for punitive damages.
It may seem daunting, or even too difficult, to try pursuing justice from a police department, the government, or other institutions, but Ben Crump Law, PLLC is ready to take on even the most difficult cases. Your rights are protected under the law, and no one should be allowed to get away with discrimination.
Our team has helped many clients in civil rights lawsuits. Ben Crump has recently been the attorney in several high-profile civil rights cases, representing the families of both George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
The team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, may be able to help you, too. You do not have to stand up for your rights alone. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing out of pocket and nothing up front. Any fees we collect come from any settlement you may receive. To learn more, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-658-8448.
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