Chicago Heights — Ch. 23 Human Relations § 23-102
Injunctive temporary relief
Operative Text
(a) At any time after a complaint is filed and determined to constitute a violation of this article, the administrator may petition the appropriate court for temporary relief, pending final determination of the proceedings under this article, including an order or decree restraining the respondent from doing or causing any act which would render ineffectual an order of relief with respect to the complaint. Such petition shall contain a certification by the administrator that the particular matter presents exceptional circumstances in which irreparable injury will result from a violation of this article in the absence of temporary relief. (b) The petition shall be filed in the circuit court for the county in which the respondent resides or transacts business or in which the alleged violation took place.
Chicago Heights Ch. 23 Human Relations § 23-102 establishes a mechanism by which the administrator overseeing human relations complaints may seek emergency court intervention before a case is fully resolved. If a complaint has been filed and found to constitute a violation, the administrator can ask a circuit court to issue a temporary restraining order or similar relief to prevent actions that would undermine any eventual remedy. This petition must include the administrator's certification that the situation involves exceptional circumstances where irreparable harm would occur without immediate court action. The appropriate circuit court is determined by where the respondent lives, does business, or where the alleged violation occurred.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Chicago Heights Ch. 23 § 23-102, property owners and managers named as respondents in a human relations complaint should be aware that the administrator holds authority to seek emergency court relief at any stage after a violation determination is made. Compliant operators generally avoid taking any actions during pending proceedings that could be construed as attempts to render a future remedy meaningless, such as disposing of property or retaliating against a complainant. Understanding that a circuit court injunction can be sought quickly and without waiting for final resolution of the complaint underscores the importance of maintaining lawful conduct throughout the entire administrative process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Chicago Heights Ch. 23 § 23-102 provides a protective tool for individuals who have filed human relations complaints, as it allows the administrator — not the complainant directly — to seek emergency court relief if there is a risk of irreparable harm before the case concludes. If you have filed a complaint and believe the respondent is taking steps that could make any eventual remedy meaningless, you may wish to bring those concerns to the administrator's attention so they can evaluate whether the exceptional-circumstances standard for a petition is met. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Chicago Heights human relations procedures can help explain how this provision interacts with other protections available during the complaint process.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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