Office of Human Rights and Equity

Welcome to the Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE)

It is the mission of the Office of Human Rights and Equity to promote and protect human rights, civil rights, and optimal community relations within the City of Urbana. The Office of Human Rights and Equity partners with the Urbana Human Relations Commission (HRC), the Urbana Civilian Police Review Board (CPRB), the Office of the Mayor, and various City units to accomplish its major activities. 

Major Activities of the Human Relations Division:

• Providing staff support to the Urbana Human Relations Commission (HRC)
• Providing staff support to the Urbana Civilian Police Review Board (CPRB)
• Educating the public on rights and responsibilities under Urbana Human Rights Ordinance
• Investigating and responding to claims of unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations in violation of the Urbana Human Rights Ordinance
• Providing technical assistance to Urbana employers, landlords, financial institutions and businesses related to compliance with the Urbana Human Rights Ordinance
• Implementing the City's equal opportunity program in purchasing and contracting and implementing affirmative action for City vendors and contractors
• Collaborating with the Urbana Human Resources Division in the recruitment of minorities, women and handicapped persons
• Collaborating with the Urbana Police Department to enhance police-community relations
• Representing the City with various community related programs to improve community relations among diverse ethnic and racial segments of the City
• Monitoring the City's compliance with federal A.D.A. laws to ensure equal access to city employment, services, activities, and physical structures for handicapped persons 

Within this suite of web pages, you can learn about:

• Filing a Discrimination Complaint in Employment, Housing, Credit or Public Accommodation
• Filing a Citizen Police Complaint in connection with an experience with the Urbana Police Department
• Rights and Responsibilities under the Urbana Human Rights Ordinance
• Rights and Responsibilities under the Civilian Police Review Board