Links & Resources

The following resources relating to employment law and the courts may be of interest to our clients and anyone else interested in employee rights.

Federal Agencies

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces several federal anti-discrimination laws and maintains a very useful website.

The United States Department of Labor (DOL) also enforces several federal employment laws including the Family and Medical Leave Act.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is part of the U.S. Department of Labor and enforces laws relating to workers’ safety and also the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) which protects employees who complain about corporate fraud.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is the federal agency charged with enforcing the National Labor Relations Act, the primary law governing the relations between employers and labor unions in the private sector.

State and Local Agencies

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) administers the Illinois Human Rights Act which prohibits various forms of employment discrimination.

The Illinois Human Rights Commission (IHRC) adjudicates complaints of employment discrimination filed under the Illinois Human Rights Act.

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) enforces many Illinois labor and employment laws.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) allows claimants to apply for unemployment insurance benefits online.

The Cook County Commission on Human Rights (CCCHR) enforces the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance.

The Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) enforces the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance.

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission administers Illinois’ no-fault system of benefits paid by employers to employees who suffer job-related injuries and diseases.

The Illinois Labor Relations Board administers the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act, the primary law governing relations between unions and public employers.

The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board administers the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act, which establishes the right of educational employees to organize and bargain collectively.

Federal Courts

The Federal Judiciary’s website has helpful information regarding all of the federal courts including the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeal, the U.S. District Courts, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts.

The U.S. Supreme Court has an informative website about the highest court in the land and the cases it decides.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit hears appeals from the U.S. District Courts in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois hears cases in Chicago and Rockford, Illinois.

The Administrative Office of the United States Courts PACER Service Center provides electronic access to U.S. District, Bankruptcy, and Appellate court records.

State Courts

The Illinois Courts’ website has a wealth of information regarding all Illinois state courts.

The Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois is one of the largest unified court systems in the world.

The website of the Clerk of the Court of Cook County, Illinois contains useful practical information regarding that court.

Employee Advocates

The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) is the largest professional organization comprised only of lawyers who primarily represent employees.

NELA/Illinois is the Illinois Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association and is comprised of Illinois employment attorneys who primarily represent employees.

Workplace Fairness is an excellent source of information on employees’ rights.

Myemploymentlawyer.com, or “Mel,” has some helpful information on understanding employees’ rights.

The Workplace Bullying Institute offers information and assistance to employees who work for a bully boss or rogue manager.