Park Forest — Ch. 54 Human Relations § 54-239

(a) Proceedings under this article shall be commenced by the filing of a complaint, within sixty (60) days of the alleged violation, with the village manager. The complaint shall contain a short and plain statement describing the grievance alleged, the name and address of the person charged and shall be signed by the aggrieved party, or the commission on human relations by its chairman or vice-chairman, as authorized. The aggrieved party may be assisted by members of the commission on human relations.
(b) After the complaint is filed, the village manager shall, within five (5) days, serve a copy of the complaint personally or by certified mail, with return receipt requested, on the person charged and shall furnish copies thereof to the equal employment opportunity review board.
(c) If the village manager determines that the allegations, as stated in the complaint, if true, would constitute a violation of this article, the manager shall investigate the complaint. If it is found by that investigation that the allegations appear to be supported by the facts, a time and place shall be set for a conference and the parties notified. At such conference, the village manager shall interview the complainant and the person against whom the complaint has been filed and shall attempt to resolve the complaint by conciliation.
(d) If the village manager is unable to conciliate the complaint within fourteen (14) days of the filing of the complaint, the village manager may notify the chairman of the equal employment opportunity review board, or direct the village attorney to file a complaint before a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) At hearings conducted by the board, not less than three (3) of the same members of the board must be present at all times. Only those members who have attended all hearings may participate in the final determination of the complaint. At the conclusion of the hearings, the board shall render a written report with findings of fact and recommendations which shall be served by certified mail, return receipt requested, upon the complainant and the respondents or their attorneys when represented by counsel. Such decision of the board must receive the affirmative consent of a majority of those members of the board who have been present at all the hearings referred to in this subsection. Such report shall be rendered on or before sixty (60) days after the date of the first hearing, unless such time has been waived by agreement of the complainant and the respondents or their attorneys and accepted by the board. Nothing in this section shall preclude a complainant from withdrawing a complaint at any time after filing.
(f) The board shall be empowered at the conclusion of such proceedings, and as part of its report, to recommend to the village president that he suspend or revoke, for a period not to exceed one (1) year, the license of any person to whom there was issued such a license by the village, and who shall have been a respondent to any proceedings thus filed and found guilty of violation of any applicable discriminatory provision. Any person whose license has been suspended or revoked or any complainant aggrieved by the decision of the board shall have full right to appeal in accordance with applicable law. Otherwise, the order of the board shall be final and conclusive. It shall serve a copy thereof upon the respondent, and any appeal may be taken thereafter.
(g) In addition thereto, the board may request that the president and board of trustees direct the village attorney to file with the state a complaint against any person found guilty of violating any section of this article seeking suspension or revocation of the license issued to such person by the state.
(h) The board may request that the president and board of trustees notify the contracting agency of the state or any political subdivision or agency thereof or the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof of any violation of this article by any person in the course of performing under a contract or subcontract with such agency for the purpose of causing termination of such contract or any portion thereof either absolutely or on condition of compliance with this article.
(i) The board may request that the president and board of trustees direct the village attorney to commence action in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover the penalty provided therein or to seek such equitable relief as may be proper.
(j) If a respondent has been found guilty of a violation of this article, in accordance with the procedures specified in this section, the determination of the nature and extent of the penalty shall be vested in the entire board.
(k) If a complaint is dismissed by the village manager or if he refuses to act on a complaint, the complaint shall nevertheless be forwarded to the equal employment opportunity review board by the village manager together with his reasons therefor. The board shall review every complaint thus filed. If a majority of the board determines that the respondent has not engaged in any unlawful practice, it shall state its findings in writing and dismiss the complaint. If a majority of the board determines after such review that probable cause exists for the allegations made in the complaint, the board shall set a date for a full hearing as provided in this section and follow the procedure accordingly.
(l) These remedies shall be available notwithstanding the imposition of other penalties as are provided for violations of this Code.