Chicago Heights — Ch. 23 Human Relations § 23-107
Hearing on complaint
Operative Text
(a) Within fifteen (15) days of receiving a complaint from the administrator, the housing practices review commission shall, upon due and reasonable notice to all parties, schedule a public hearing on the complaint. The public hearing shall be scheduled no sooner than thirty (30) days from the date of the notice, nor later than sixty (60) days from the date of the notice. All parties shall be entitled to be represented by legal counsel, and shall have the right to call witnesses in their own behalf and to cross examine witnesses. All parties to the proceedings may apply to the housing practices review commission to have subpoenas issued in the name of the housing practices review commission. Testimony taken at the hearing shall be under oath or affirmation and a transcript shall be made and filed in the office of the administrator. At least three (3) members of the housing practices review commission must attend all proceedings. These three (3) members must be the same three (3) members throughout the proceedings, though others may attend as they wish. (b) Within fifteen (15) days of the issuance of a complaint by the administrator, a complainant or respondent may elect to remove the hearing on the complaint to the circuit court. Notice of such election shall be served in writing on the administrator and all parties. Upon the filing of such notice, the municipality shall provide counsel to represent any complainant(s) for the duration of the proceeding.
Chicago Heights Ch. 23 § 23-107 establishes the procedural framework for public hearings on housing discrimination complaints. Once the administrator issues a complaint, the Housing Practices Review Commission must schedule a public hearing within a defined window—no sooner than 30 days and no later than 60 days after notice is given. All parties have the right to legal representation, to call and cross-examine witnesses, and to request subpoenas; testimony is taken under oath and transcribed. Either party also has the option to move the hearing to circuit court within 15 days of the complaint's issuance, at which point the municipality provides counsel to the complainant.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Chicago Heights Ch. 23 § 23-107, a respondent in a housing practices complaint can expect to receive formal notice of a scheduled public hearing before the Housing Practices Review Commission, with the hearing falling between 30 and 60 days after that notice. Operators who receive such a complaint generally retain legal counsel promptly, prepare to present witnesses, and are aware of the 15-day window within which either party may elect to transfer the matter to circuit court. Maintaining organized records of housing practices and communications is consistent with being prepared to participate in these formal proceedings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Chicago Heights Ch. 23 § 23-107 gives complainants meaningful procedural protections during a housing discrimination hearing, including the right to legal representation, the ability to call and cross-examine witnesses, and the ability to request subpoenas through the Housing Practices Review Commission. Complainants should be aware of the 15-day deadline from the issuance of the complaint to elect removal of the hearing to circuit court, and that if such a transfer is made, the municipality is required to provide counsel to represent the complainant. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help individuals understand these procedural options and what participation in either forum generally involves.
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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