Discrimination & Harassment Policy at IDHS

Our Policy

It is the policy of the Illinois Department of Human Services that all employees and individuals requesting services from the Department shall be free from discrimination or harassment* without regard to:

  • Race
  • Religion
  • National Origin
  • Age
  • Ancestry
  • Military Status
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Color
  • Sex
  • Arrest Record
  • Disability
  • Citizenship Status
  • Marital Status

*Food Stamp Program applicants and participants are also protected against discrimination based on political affiliation.

It is AGAINST Our Policy to

  • Deny you money, care, services or other benefits you are eligible to receive.
  • Provide other eligible people with money, care, services or other benefits that are different from yours or provide them in a different way from the way we provide them to you if you are eligible to receive them.
  • Treat you differently from other eligible people in the way you get your money, care, services or other benifits.
  • Prohibit you from having the same advantages or privileges as other eligible people who receiv help from the Departement of Human Services.
  • Treat you differently from other people in the way the Department of Human Services determines if you are eligible to receive money, care, services or other benifits.
  • Deny or offer to other eligible people an opportunity that is different from the opportunities offered to you (if you are eligible) through the Department of Human Services. This includes the opportunity to take part in education, job training, community work programs and the opportunity to receive a hearing.

Next Steps 

If you feel that you have been discriminated against, you have the right to File a Charge with the Bureau of Civil Affairs.