Consumer Complaint Resource Guide
Discrimination and Civil Rights Violations
- City of Champaign Equity & Engagement
- City of Urbana Human Rights & Equity
- Illinois Human Rights Commission
- Illinois Department of Human Rights
Protecting Consumers
If you’ve been victimized by fraud, deception, or unfair methods of competition, the Consumer Protection Division of the Illinois Attorney General’s office may be able to help. Although our attorneys cannot represent an individual in a lawsuit, our limited mediation program can assist in resolving disputes or complaints filed by individual consumers. Promptness in making a complaint decreases the likelihood that a fly-by-night operator will move, leave town, or go out of business before consumers can gain assistance.
On our website. These forms may be downloaded and returned by regular mail to the appropriate bureau within the Office of the Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. To ensure that your form is processed efficiently, carefully review the form you have downloaded, supply all information requested, and include supporting documentation. The Attorney General's Office does not require that you provide your Social Security Number or information as to your citizenship status in order to file a consumer complaint.
The information you submit will be used by attorneys, investigators, and other members of the Attorney General’s staff involved in carrying out the functions, programs, and responsibilities of the Illinois Attorney General.
It is important that your consumer complaint is complete and that you provide copies of any supporting documentation to this office. We will send your complaint to the party with which you have a dispute unless you advise this office not to do so. This information may also be shared with other governmental enforcement agencies responsible for consumer protection and other laws.
Complaint forms are public records, which are subject to the Freedom of Information Act just like other public records. If we receive a request for copies of records that include your complaint, we may be required to provide a copy of your complaint to the requestor. Information that would reveal your identity as a complainant is, however, exempt from disclosure and will be deleted from copies that we provide, allowing the requestor to read your complaint without revealing your identity.
Defending Your Rights
Civil Rights
The Attorney General's Civil Rights Bureau enforces civil rights laws to prohibit discrimination. The bureau also advocates for legislation to strengthen the laws and participates in community outreach programs.
The mission of the Civil Rights Bureau is to protect the civil rights guarantees of Illinois citizens, including all rights existing under constitutional, statutory, administrative or common law. The bureau investigates complaints of "pattern and practice" discrimination in housing, public accommodations, employment and financial matters.
The Civil Rights Bureau
- conducts investigations of possible civil rights violations based upon patterns or practices that have a significant impact in Illinois
- litigates cases where the investigation indicates such action is warranted
- monitors and proposes legislation and administrative rules that involve civil rights concerns with a view toward making recommendations
Workplace Rights
Attorney General Lisa Madigan advocates, legislates and litigates for Illinois workers and labor unions.
The Labor Counsel is responsible for undertaking affirmative enforcement actions to address large-scale violations of Illinois labor laws and coordinating major labor initiatives with State Agencies and outside business and labor organizations. The Office of the Attorney General also is responsible for prosecuting cases referred from the Illinois Department of Labor. Referrals to the Attorney General's office concern violations of the Illinois Minimum Wage Law, the Illinois Prevailing Wage Law, the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, and the Employee Classification Act. The Labor Law Unit also enforces the Department of Labor's administrative subpoenas when the Department of Labor attempts to investigate Prevailing Wage Act violations.
Additionally, the Attorney General's Labor Law Unit defends claims of age, sex or race discrimination and other employment-related allegations brought by current or former state employees against their employing agency or other individual agency employees.