Both federal and Illinois laws protect against certain types of harassment in the workplace, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964). This law protects employees who experience sexual harassment or are discriminated against or experience wrongful termination based on their gender, race, color, national origin and religion. When discrimination takes place in violation of Title VII, thus creating a hostile atmosphere for the employee, legal action can be pursued.
First, allow your employer the opportunity to correct the problem. They are legally obligated to make it stop and cannot retaliate against you for reporting the issue. If they fail to do so, you have the ability to file a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). It must be within six months of the harassment, in which case the agency will offer mediation as a resolution or if the parties cannot agree, investigate the claim. The EEOC will then render their decision on if there is the right to sue.