Illinois Department of Human Rights Commemorates 2013 International Human Rights Day

CHICAGO, IL – The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) commemorated International Human Rights Day with the celebration “Human Rights: More than a Movement” spotlighting LGBT rights and contributions, including a panel discussion featuring leaders whose contributions have made a significant difference in the advancement of LGBT civil rights.

“On International Human Rights Day, we reflect on the principles that guide us in our daily mission at the Illinois Department of Human Rights: fairness, freedom from discrimination and protection of civil and human rights under the Illinois Human Rights Act,” Director Rocco J. Claps said.

The UN General Assembly proclaimed December 10 as Human Rights Day in 1950 to bring attention to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations. 2013 also marks 20 years since the establishment of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which renewed the effort for the promotion and protection of all human rights.

This year also marks the 34th anniversary of the passage of the Illinois Human Rights Act, which bars discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), national origin, ancestry, age (40 and over), order of protection status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status, sexual orientation (including gender-related identity), and other protected classes.

In addition to the panel discussion IDHR’s celebration, which was free and open to the public, also featured an interpretive American Sign Language dance and other networking opportunities for local human and civil rights advocates.

Anyone who believes they have been discriminated against should contact IDHR. IDHR’s main office is located in the James R. Thompson Center at 100 W. Randolph, 10^th Floor, Chicago, 60601, with other offices located in Springfield and Marion. IDHR can be contacted by dialing (312) 814-6200 (general), (312) 814-6229 (housing inquiries), and (866)740-3953 (TTY), (800) 662-3942 (toll free), or go to the agency’s website for additional information: www.illinois.gov/dhr.