If you were illegally terminated from employment in Illinois, you may be able to file a claim against your employer. There are laws in place to protect workers from inappropriate actions, behaviors, and treatment. For example, if retaliation or discrimination was cause for your termination, you can pursue a wrongful termination claim against your employer for their mistreatment of you and their violations of law.
What is the Illinois Human Rights Act?
While Illinois is an at-will employment state, there are federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination, so if your termination from employment was a discriminatory act or an act of retaliation, it is illegal. Even in an at-will state there are protections in place and things that employers can and cannot do.
In Illinois, you are also protected by the Illinois Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination and other actions. The Illinois Human Rights Act protects employees from discrimination, including when discrimination take the form of wrongful termination.
If you have an employment contract, your employer is required to abide by the provisions of your employment contract. Federal laws prohibit discrimination based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. If your termination is an act of discrimination, you have grounds for a claim against your employer. Through a claim, you can recoup compensation for damages and you may get your job back in some situations.
How Long Do You Have to Sue For Wrongful Termination in Illinois?
If you have been wrongfully terminated by an employer in Illinois you may not have a lot of time to file a claim with the EEOC and with the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
If you don’t file your claim and submit evidence of discrimination within the time frame allowed you lose your right to sue for wrongful termination and you may lose out on any money or back wages that you are owed.
The EEOC If you are filing a claim for wrongful termination against an employer in Illinois with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that claim must be filed within 180 days of your wrongful termination.
That may sound like a long time, but it’s only six months which isn’t a lot of time. If you’re planning on filing a claim with the EEOC don’t wait.
Gather up as much evidence as you can of the discrimination that you experienced before you were terminated and any evidence that you have from the termination and file a claim.
You have more time to file a claim against your employer with the Illinois Department of Human Rights. The law says that you must file a claim for wrongful termination with the Illinois Department of Human Rights within 300 days of the wrongful termination. That’s about ten months, which gives you some extra time to gather evidence and prepare your case if you need it.
How To File A Wrongful Termination Claim In Illinois
If you suffered wrongful termination in Illinois, you have a limited time to pursue a claim to recoup compensation for your losses. Consult with an employment law attorney who handles wrongful termination claims, so you can gather evidence and supporting documentation. Be sure to report the incident to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the appropriate state agency, so your claim is filed timely.
The EEOC or state will investigate your wrongful termination claim, and if the matter is not resolved, you will be given a right to sue. The right to sue is a letter indicating they believe you have reason to pursue a lawsuit against your employer for wrongful termination. If you are given this right, you must file your lawsuit within the timeframe specified in the letter.
Get A Free Case Evaluation Today
If you have been a victim of Illinois wrongful termination, ask for the guidance of a wrongful termination attorney who represents workers in Illinois. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form to share the details of your case with an independent, participating attorney who takes cases in Illinois.
With a lawyer, you may get your claim underway within the specified timeframe. A lawyer can also help gather all the evidence your claim needs to show what transpired.
Additional Resources
- How to Know If You Were Illegally Fired
- What is the Illinois Human Rights Act?
- Employment Law Trends in 2023
- Employment Discrimination in Illinois
- List of EEOC Offices in Illinois
