Select a city or county to find Illinois Discrimination lawyers near you.
Unjust or prejudicial treatment of individuals or group based on certain characteristics, traits, or attributes is discrimination. Discrimination involves treating someone less favorably or denying them equal opportunities, rights, or privileges because of their actual or perceived membership in a particular category. Federal law prohibits discrimination by employers and many other entities based on skin color, race, gender, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, medical background, religion, or even genetic information.
Racial discrimination occurs when an individual is subjected to unequal treatment because of their race, ethnicity, or skin color. The U.S. Constitution and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 work in concert to ensure that each resident’s rights and standing under the law are not damaged by their race. Racial discrimination can be exhibited in education, employment, law enforcement, and fair housing.
Body Copy – Gender discrimination is unequal treatment based on an individual’s gender identity or sex. Gender discrimination can be exhibited in employment, healthcare, and education. It takes many forms, including sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, and unequal pay for women who do the same jobs as men.
Sexual orientation discrimination refers to when individuals are treated unfairly or face prejudice due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation. This form of discrimination can be exhibited in education, employment, law enforcement, and fair housing, and can lead to exclusion, harassment, and denial of rights and protections.
If you feel you were discriminated against or given unequal treatment based on race, gender (or gender identity), disability, national origin, age, sexual orientation, religion, or some other protected class, a discrimination lawyer can help. Don't wait to talk to a discrimination attorney and find out how federal law and state law can be used to hold those who discriminated against you accountable.
Discrimination in the United States can arise in many settings and involve a wide range of issues, including:
Use FindLaw's attorney directory to find a local discrimination lawyer to ensure you are treated equally and that you receive the protection you are granted by anti-discrimination laws.
In Illinois, a general estimate of the per-hour cost for a lawyer can range from about $130 to $400 per hour, depending on location, expertise and the complexity of the case in question.
In some cases, attorneys may opt to offer clients a flat-rate fee instead of a per-hour fee. This typically arises in criminal defense law as well as certain divorce court proceedings. A fee for a misdemeanor defense is usually far less than the flat fee for a felony defense. Representation on issues related to juvenile offenses and traffic offenses may cost you less than the representation on situations involving corporate law or bankruptcies.
Finally, certain lawyers, such as personal injury lawyers, typically offer clients representation based on contingency. If you win a settlement from such a case, such as slipping and falling at a business establishment and incurring a serious injury, your personal injury lawyer will retain a percentage of your total settlement, rather than charging you any per-hour or flat-rate fees.
While an Illinois lawyer can take on cases of any sort, the most common criminal cases in Illinois involve simple assault or aggravated assault, sexual assault, violations of the Controlled Substances Act, burglary (business and residential), driving while under the influence (DUI) and severe violent crime such as homicide and armed robbery.
Illinois lawyers are also typically called upon to represent parties in marital disputes leading to divorce or separation, the custody battles common to such cases, and other civil proceedings.
Make informed decisions with useful legal information.
Learn About the Law articles clearly explain what you need to know about a wide variety of legal issues. You'll also find answers to common legal questions and case summaries to explore.
Read about choosing and retaining legal help with FindLaw's Guide to Hiring a Lawyer.
Our Guide to the U.S. Legal System explains legal basics including federal and state court systems.