Joliet — Ch. 9½ Art. I In General (Discrimination) § 9½-5
Complaints, conciliation
Operative Text
Any person aggrieved in any manner of any violation of any provision of this chapter may file with the commission within one hundred twenty (120) days after the alleged discriminatory practice a written verified complaint setting forth its grievance. The complaint shall state (1) the name and address of the complainant; (2) the name and address of the person against whom the complaint is brought, if known to the complainant; (3) the alleged facts surrounding the alleged violation of the chapter; (4) the names and addresses of all persons believed to have knowledge concerning the alleged facts. The commission shall provide a printed form of complaint for the use of aggrieved persons. After the filing of any complaint, the commission shall serve a copy of the complaint on the party or parties charged, within fifteen (15) days from the day the complaint was filed with the commission. The commission or a panel thereof shall investigate each claim to determine whether probable cause exists for the allegations of the complaint, and shall attempt to resolve the complaint by all proper methods of conciliation and persuasion. If at any time within sixty (60) days of the date of the filing of the complaint, the commission or its designated panel shall determine that attempts at conciliation would not be in furtherance of the objections of this article, the commission shall proceed promptly to direct the corporation counsel of Joliet, Illinois, to do any one or more of the following: (1) To institute and prosecute proceedings to enforce against any person found in violation of this article, the fine provided for in section 9½-6. (2) To petition or institute proceedings with the Illinois Department of Registration and Education for the purpose of causing the department to revoke, suspend or refuse to renew the license granted by such department to any person found to have violated any provision of this chapter. (3) In the case of any unlawful real estate practice or violation of this chapter by any person in the course of performing under a contract or subcontract with the state or any political subdivision or agency thereof, or with the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof, to petition or institute proceedings against such contracting agency for the purpose seeking to have such contract or any portion thereof terminated, either absolutely or on condition of compliance with the provisions of this chapter. (4) To institute proceedings for such other and further relief as may seem appropriate to the court for the enforcement of this article and the elimination of violations hereof.
Joliet's Ch. 9½ Art. I § 9½-5 establishes a formal complaint process for people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination under the chapter. A written, verified complaint must be filed with the Joliet Human Relations Commission within 120 days of the alleged discriminatory act, and the complaint must include specific identifying and factual information. Once a complaint is filed, the Commission investigates for probable cause, attempts conciliation, and — if conciliation is deemed unworkable within 60 days — may direct the city's corporation counsel to pursue enforcement actions ranging from fines to license revocation to contract termination.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Joliet's anti-discrimination chapter should be aware that under § 9½-5, a complaint can be filed against them within 120 days of an alleged discriminatory act, and they will receive a copy of that complaint within 15 days of its filing. A compliant operator generally maintains clear, consistent, and non-discriminatory policies so that if a complaint is filed, the conciliation process outlined in § 9½-5 can be resolved efficiently. If conciliation fails, the Commission may refer the matter to the corporation counsel, who can pursue fines under § 9½-6, license actions, or contract terminations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Joliet Ch. 9½ Art. I § 9½-5, anyone who believes they have experienced a violation of the city's anti-discrimination provisions has 120 days from the alleged act to file a written, verified complaint with the Joliet Human Relations Commission, using the printed form the Commission is required to provide. The complaint process includes an investigation for probable cause and an attempt at conciliation, giving aggrieved parties a structured path toward resolution without immediately going to court. Tenants who believe their rights have been violated may also consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to better understand how the complaint procedures and potential enforcement remedies under § 9½-5 apply to their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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