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HUMAN RELATIONS DIVISION - 217-431-2280
 | Filing a Complaint |
| Citizen or Police Complaint |
| Human Relations Commissioners |
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The Human Relations Commission was established by ordinance
in 1976 as a municipal department with staff. In 1995, the Human Relations
Ordinance was revised to strengthen the ordinance’s enforcement power
regarding unlawful discrimination.
The seven member Commission, who is appointed by the Mayor with the approval
of the City Council, is composed of citizens from the community. The purpose
of the Commission is to advise the Department on community related issues;
promote and conduct programs that foster human relations among all citizens
regardless of race, religion, ethnicity and economic background; and to
encourage a community free of discrimination. The Commission’s primary
responsibilities consist of hearing and deciding cases of unlawful
discrimination and complaints against City employees such as police
complaints.
The Department’s staff includes the Director. The Department’s
primary responsibilities consist of receiving and investigating complaints
regarding unlawful discrimination, complaints against City employees and
planning community related programs.
Unlawful Discrimination
Pursuant to Chapter 95, Section 95.01, of the City of Danville
Code of Ordinances, it is the policy of the City to secure for all of its
citizens within the City freedom from unlawful discrimination in the areas of
employment, housing and public accommodations because of:
Race, Color, Religion, Age, Sex, National Origin, Marital Status, Physical or
Mental Disability, Familial Status (Housing Only)
1. If you believe that you have been discriminated against you
should file a complaint with the City of Danville Human Relations Department
as soon as the act of discrimination occurs. A complaint must be filed within
180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination in areas of employment and
public accommodation complaints. Housing complaints have a one-year filing
deadline.
2. The Director will interview the complainant to determine if there is a
basis to file a discrimination charge. If there is not a basis, the
complainant is informed of this
finding during the interview. If there is a basis to file a discrimination
charge, the Department will file a charge of discrimination against the
Respondent.
3. The Respondent has 30 days to respond to the charge of discrimination.
4. During the investigation of the complaint, the Department will initiate
informal conciliation between the Complainant and the Respondent.
5. After the completion of the investigation, the Department will determine
whether there is enough evidence to support the allegation(s) of
discrimination.
6. If there is not enough evidence to support the allegation(s), the
Department will dismiss the charge of discrimination. The Complainant can
appeal the Department’s dismissal of the complaint to the Human Relations
Commission. The appeal must be filed within 14 days of the dismissal.
7. If there is enough evidence to support the allegation(s) of discrimination,
and the parties do not reach an agreement to settle the complaint, the
Department will file a complaint for hearing with the Commission on behalf of
the Complainant.
8. Based on the evidence presented during the hearing, the Commission will
either issue a final order to dismiss the case, or the Commission will issue a
final order that the Respondent has engaged in an unlawful practice of
discrimination. Any imposed penalties against the Respondent by the Commission
will be in accordance with Chapter 95, the Human Relations Ordinance.
Filing a Citizen's or Police Complaint
1. A citizen can file a complaint against any City employee
for Unprofessional Behavior, Inappropriate Language, Use of Excessive Force,
etc.
2. The complaint must be filed within 30 days of the alleged incident.
3. To file a complaint against a City employee, please call the Department at
(217) 431-2280.
Chris Clapp, Chair • Rev. Joe Davis, Vice Chair
• Martha Espino • Rev. Ted Parker
• Mary Thompson • Dr. Quan Chen
Sandra R. Houston, Director
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Human Relations Manager
