Illinois Human Rights Act
SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION IS ILLEGAL UNDER THE ILLINOIS HUMAN RIGHTS ACT,
775 ILCS 5/1-101 et seq.
The Illinois Human Rights Act (“Act”) prohibits unwelcome advances or conduct of a
sexual nature, and requests for sexual favors of students by an executive, faculty
member, administrative staff member, or teaching assistant in an institution of higher
education when such behavior interferes with the student’s performance or creates
an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. Institutions of higher education
include public or private universities, colleges, community colleges, junior colleges,
business schools, and vocational schools. The Act prohibits retaliation against a
student for opposing sexual harassment in higher education or for participating in
an investigation (internal or external) of sexual harassment in higher education or
for filing a charge. “Sexual harassment in higher education” is defined in Section
5A-101(E) of the Act.
Following are examples of sexual harassment in higher education: 1) a professor who
continually makes jokes of a sexual nature in the classroom; 2) a registration advisor
who tells a student the student might be able to get into a class if the student dates
the advisor; 3) an admissions advisor who tells a prospective student that the advisor
will put in a “good word” for the prospective student if the student dates the advisor;
and 4) a financial assistance advisor who tells a student that “if you have sex with
me, I can look out for scholarships for you”.
Any student who believes he or she is being subjected to sexual harassment, including
sexual advances, should contact Joni Bastian, V.P. of Student Affairs at (618) 537-6555
or [email protected].
The student may also contact the Illinois Department of Human Rights for further information
or to file a charge. Charges must be filed within 180 days of alleged sexual harassment.
The charge and complaint process is described in more detail at https://www2.illinois.gov/DHR/Pages/default.aspx.
The Department may be reached at:
CHICAGO OFFICE
100 W. Randolph Street
10th Floor
Intake Unit
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-6200
(217) 785-5125 (TTY)
SPRINGFIELD OFFICE
222 South College
Room 101-A
Intake Unit
Springfield, IL 62704
(217) 785-5100
(217) 785-5125 (TTY)
MARION OFFICE
2309 West Main Street
Suite 112
Intake Unit
Marion, IL 62959
(618) 993-7463
(217) 785-5125 (TTY)
The charge process may be initiated by completing the form at: https://www2.illinois.gov/DHR/Pages/default.aspx.
For more information, please visit the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
