Rock Island Illinois
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Welcome to Rock Island

CITY OFFICIALS

1528 3rd Avenue
Rock Island, Illinois 61201
Telephone: (309) 732-2012
Fax: (309) 732-2055
E-mail: executivemail@rigov.org
Hours of Operation: Mon - Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Duties
The purpose of the Human Rights Commission is to help eliminate prejudice and discrimination due to race, sex, religion, age or disability and to safeguard the rights of all citizens as defined by law. The Commission is responsible for receiving complaints of tensions, practices of discrimination and acts of prejudice against any person or group of persons who are residents of the City of Rock Island because of race, sex, religion, age or disability. The mission of the Rock Island Human Rights Commission is to bring about greater public awareness of the ethnic and cultural diversity that exists within the community and to ensure that all citizens are treated equally, regardless of race, sex, religion, age, or disability.

The Human Rights Commission is comprised of twelve persons appointed by the Mayor and City Council. Commission members serve three year terms and are broadly representative of the community with particular emphasis on religious, racial, and ethnic groups. In addition, one member of the Commission is required to be from the legal profession, one from a lending institution, and one who is a realtor.

The Human Rights Commission also serves as the City’s Fair Housing Board with respect to discrimination complaints as they relate to housing issues.

The Human Rights Commission has three primary roles:

  • To receive and review complaints regarding alleged discriminatory actions and to mediate disputes that arise from those complaints.
  • Serve as a clearing house for information and referral to State and Federal agencies which deal with human rights matters.
  • Review city related policies and procedures regarding Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity practices, contracting/procurement procedures, and other areas related to human rights issues and city policies.

Public Meetings
The Human Rights Commission meets four times per year or at the call of the Chair. You may access a listing of meeting agendas and summaries.

Members Term Expires

Dr. Nathaniel Anderson 06/30/2008
Patricia Castro 06/30/2009
Linda Golden 06/30/2010
Teresa Jones 06/30/2008
Jim Kerr 06/30/2009
Ava Ketter 06/30/2010
David Levin 06/30/2008
Lauren Loftin 06/30/2009
Gregory Mayer 06/30/2010
Clayton Peterson 06/30/2008
Father Michael Schaab 06/30/2009
Kai Swanson 06/30/2010

Requesting Information and Filing Complaints
Rock Island residents who feel they have been the subject of a discriminatory act may file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission.

Click here for a complaint form

Or you may pick one up in person at:

Community & Economic Development Department
Rock Island City Hall
1528 Third Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201

Once a completed complaint is received, the Commission can work with the parties involved to mediate the dispute and work towards a resolution. In some cases a complaint may be referred to the Illinois Department of Human Rights or another agency for resolution.

Residents of Rock Island may contact any member of the Human Rights Commission with respect to issues or matters that relate to human rights within the community.

Complaint Form
A complaint form must be fully completed in order to be reviewed.

Complainants will be required to provide their name, address, phone number, and signature. In addition, a written description of the following must be provided:

  • Who do you think discriminated against you?
  • When do you believe this discrimination took place?
  • How and why do you believe you were discriminated against?
  • What relief are you seeking?
  • Has a complaint been filed with any other Federal, State, or local investigative agency?

Note that filing a complaint with the Rock Island Human Rights Commission should not take the place of filing a complaint with the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, or any other state or federal agency which may address issues of discrimination.

In order to preserve your legal rights and potential remedies under various federal and state statutes, the appropriate agency or private legal counsel should be contacted particularly with regard to the timing with which a complaint must be filed.

Staff
Greg Champagne, Director of Community & Economic Development Department
City of Rock Island
1528 Third Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201
www.rigov.org
309-732-2900
      

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Copyright © 2003, City of Rock Island
1528 Third Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois  61201
Phone: (309) 732-2000 • Fax: (309) 732-2055