IL SB3677

Illinois Attorney General may bring civil actions against persons or groups engaged in pattern and practice of discrimination, with actions limited to 2 years after violation occurrence or termination of alleged civil rights violation.

Attorney General must conduct preliminary investigation before initiating civil action and may require written statements, examine witnesses under oath, and issue subpoenas to determine reasonable cause of discrimination.

Persons receiving subpoenas may petition circuit court to modify or set aside the subpoena within 20 days of service or before the return date, whichever is earlier, based on legal grounds or constitutional rights.

Civil penalties range from $10,000 to $75,000 per violation depending on violation type (Articles 3-4 versus other articles) and defendant's prior civil rights violations within 5 years, with penalties deposited into Attorney General Court Ordered and Voluntary Compliance Payment Projects Fund.

Aggrieved parties seeking actual damages must file charges under Sections 7A-102 or 7B-102 rather than through Attorney General civil actions.