Under the U.S. Constitution and Title VII of the U.S. Code, racial discrimination is illegal in Illinois. According to these laws, employers may not take race into account when hiring, recruiting, determining pay or offering promotions.
What Must Be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?
Before taking their discrimination claim to court, an employee must file their claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC is the federal agency which has authority to investigate any claims of discrimination in the workplace. To prove racial discrimination, an employer must treat an employee differently than co-workers who are of a different race or nationality.
To be able to prove a claim of racial discrimination, the Hanover Park plaintiff also needs to show that the employer had an intent to discriminate, and that the discriminatory action was based on race. The employer's intent can often be proven by showing that other people of different races were treated preferentially.
How Can a Hanover Park Lawyer Help with My Claim?
In some cases also, recorded statements made by the employer about racial issues can be used to establish intent. Laws governing the procedures in discrimination will vary widely depending on where the claim is filed, and Hanover Park attorneys will be able to help you with the requirements for your particular region. Also, an Illinois attorney can help you when you file your claim with the EEOC, and they may be able to help you obtain other kinds of relief during the time period when your case is pending.