Filing a Complaint

Must be timely, in writing and signed by the aggrieved person

Must identify the discriminatory employer, housing provider, or place of public accommodation

Must describe the adverse action or practice complained of

Must articulate a discrimination statement identifying the basis and issue and the statute alleged to have been violated.

Complaint is served on the employer within five (5) days of the Commission's receipt.

The Commission may then ask the employer, housing provider or place of public accommodation to submit a position statement and/or to submit documents in support of its position.  Later, a follow-up request for information may be sent.

	The position statement is the Respondent's written response to the allegations made in a complaint and presents their reasons for the action and included documents which supports its position.
	The request for information is for the purpose of gathering additional documentary evidence and, when relevant, comparative information as to how others similarly situated were treated.

Respondent's response to the request for information and facts contained in the position statement are discussed with the Charging Party.

	Charging Party may offer rebuttal information or confirm the Respondent's response.
	Charging Party may identify additional witnesses to support allegations or to rebut Respondent's position.

After review of the above data, the investigator may, when necessary, also conduct an on-site investigation and interview witnesses identified by the charging party and respondent.  In the alternative, the investigator may conduct telephone interviews with witnesses.

The investigator analyzes all of the evidence gathered during the investigation and makes a recommendation for the type of resolution (cause/dismissal).

Recommendation for resolution is submitted for management/legal review and issuance of a determination.

Mediation

	Voluntary process.
	Commission suspends investigation process pending outcome of mediation.
	Resolution results in withdrawal of the complaint.
	Investigation process is resumed if complaint is not resolved in mediation.

Pre-Determination Settlement

Can be initiated by any of the parties at any time during the investigation prior to issuance of a determination

Dismissal (No Cause Determination)

A complaint may be dismissed at any point if, in the agency's best judgment, further investigation will not establish a violation of federal discrimination laws.  Dismissal may occur at intake if the interview yields no evidence to support the allegation.

Successful Conciliation (Cause Determination Issued)

	Commission policy will seek substantial relief for charging party and any identified victims which may include back pay plus interest, reinstatement, promotion, compensatory damages, etc.
	Agreement is monitored by Commission for its duration.

Unsuccessful Conciliation (Cause Determination Issued)

	Parties are unable to arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement.
	Commission may elect to pursue an administrative hearing in employment and public accommodations cases; or for housing cases, may elect to pursue an administrative hearing or litigate in Circuit Court.

Administrative Closure

	Charging Party withdraws complaint because the complaint has been resolved satisfactorily without Commission involvement or because s\he no longer wishes to pursue the complaint - Charging Party must state that the withdrawal is not due to coercion or intimidation by the Respondent.
	Commission may initiate closure due to lack of jurisdiction, failure to locate the Charging Party or Respondent, or refusal of the Charging Party to cooperate with the Commission's investigation.