775 ILCS 5/10-102
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 775 - HUMAN RIGHTS|775 ILCS 5/ - Illinois Human Rights Act.|Article 10 - Circuit Court Actions

 (from Ch. 68, par. 10-102)Sec. 10-102. Court Actions.(A) Circuit Court Actions.(1) An aggrieved party may commence a civil action in     an appropriate Circuit Court not later than 2 years after the occurrence or the termination of an alleged civil rights violation or the breach of a conciliation or settlement agreement entered into under this Act, whichever occurs last, to obtain appropriate relief with respect to the alleged civil rights violation or breach.  Venue for such civil action shall be determined under Section 8-111(A)(1).(2) The computation of such 2-year period shall not     include any time during which an administrative proceeding under this Act was pending with respect to a complaint or charge under this Act based upon the alleged civil rights violation.  This paragraph does not apply to actions arising from a breach of a conciliation or settlement agreement.(3) An aggrieved party may commence a civil action     under this subsection whether or not a charge has been filed under Section 7B-102 and without regard to the status of any such charge, however, if the Department or local agency has obtained a conciliation or settlement agreement with the consent of an aggrieved party, no action may be filed under this subsection by such aggrieved party with respect to the alleged civil rights violation practice which forms the basis for such complaint except for the purpose of enforcing the terms of such conciliation or settlement agreement.(4) An aggrieved party shall not commence a civil     action under this subsection with respect to an alleged civil rights violation which forms the basis of a complaint issued by the Department if a hearing officer has commenced a hearing on the record under Article 3 of this Act with respect to such complaint.(B) Appointment of Attorney by Court.  Upon application by a person  alleging a civil rights violation or a person against whom  the civil rights violation is alleged, if in the opinion of the court such  person is financially unable to bear the costs of such action, the court may:(1) appoint an attorney for such person, any attorney     so appointed may petition for an award of attorneys fees pursuant to subsection (C)(2) of this Section; or(2) authorize the commencement or continuation of a     civil action under subsection (A) without the payment of fees, costs, or security.(C) Relief which may be granted.(1)  In a civil action under subsection (A) if the     court finds that a civil rights violation has occurred or is about to occur, the court may award to the plaintiff actual and punitive damages, and may grant as relief, as the court deems appropriate, any permanent or preliminary injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order, including an order enjoining the defendant from engaging in such civil rights violation or ordering such affirmative action as may be appropriate.(2) In a civil action under subsection (A), the     court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party, other than the State of Illinois, reasonable attorneys fees and costs. The State of Illinois shall be liable for such fees and costs to the same extent as a private person.(D) Intervention By The Department.  The Attorney General of Illinois  may intervene on behalf of the Department if the Department certifies that  the case is of general public importance.  Upon such intervention the court  may award such relief as is authorized to be granted to a plaintiff in a  civil action under Section 10-102(C).  (Source: P.A. 101-661, eff. 4-2-21.)