Filing a Complaint of Unlawful Discrimination

How to File a Complaint

If you believe you have experienced discrimination in the City of Urbana, you may file a complaint by contacting the Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE).

Scheduling an Appointment

• To schedule an appointment, call (217) 384-2455, email hro@urbanaillinois.us, or visit the office located at 400 South Vine Street, Urbana, Illinois. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations or services, please contact the City of Urbana’s Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator at (217) 384-2466 or TDY at (217) 384-2447.
• During your intake, an OHRE Staff member will interview you and, if your allegations are covered by the Human Rights Ordinance (Ordinance), a charge is drafted and prepared for your signature which must be notarized. OHRE Staff do not suggest reasons to file, but will discuss the various types of discrimination and explain the procedures for filing a charge. In addition, OHRE Staff may provide referrals to other agencies as appropriate.
• No Attorneys Needed. You do not need an attorney to file a charge. 
• No Money Needed. There is no fee for filing a discrimination charge.

Time Limits for Filing

• The Urbana Human Rights Ordinance requires that a complaint be filed within ninety (90) days of the occurrence of a violation or ninety (90) days after the discovery of a violation. In no event shall a complaint be filed more than one (1) year after the occurrence of the violation.

 What to Bring to an Appointment

• To expedite the interview process, please bring any and all relevant information that supports your complaint. For example, names, addresses, and phone numbers of the people or organizations you are charging. Any and all documents relevant to your complaint. And, dates of specific events relevant to your complaint.
• If you do not have all the information readily available, bring whatever information you have to your appointment. You may be asked to provide additional information at a follow-up appointment.

 Important Considerations

• Retaliation Prohibited. You cannot be harassed or retaliated against for filing a complaint or cooperating with a complaint investigation. Specifically, Chapter 12-104 of the City Codes states, "It shall be an unlawful practice for any person...to harass, intimidate or in any other way retaliate or discriminate against, or interfere with any individual because he/she has made a complaint, testified or assisted in any proceeding under this article, whether on his/her own behalf or for another individual, or because he or she has told, objected to, or commented upon any policy, rule, action, or barrier to that which he or she in good faith believes violates this article."
• Immigrant Status. The OHRE takes complaints regardless of a person’s immigration status and does not ask complainants or witnesses about their immigrant status.
• Language Interpretation. The OHRE has translation services available in multiple languages for people with limited English proficiency.
• What to Bring to an Intake Appointment. Please bring an identification card to your appointment in order to have a notary public notarize your signature on the Discrimination Complaint Form.