Workplace discrimination is against the law when it happens because you are a member of a protected class. A protected class is a group of people that have something in common and are protected by the law.

There are several government organizations that protect workers from workplace discrimination. Each one protects different classes. These organizations are:

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (Federal)
• Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) (Illinois)
• Cook County Commission on Human Rights (CCCHR) (Cook County)
• Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) (Chicago)

Federal protected classes

• Race,
• Color,
• Religion,
• Sex,
• Sexual harassment,
• Sexual orientation,
• Gender identity/expression,
• National origin,
• Age,
• Disability, and
• Retaliation.

Illinois protected classes

Actual or perceived:

• Race (which includes traits associated with race, such as hair texture, protective hairstyles, braids, locks, and twists. See 2022's Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act.),
• Color,
• Religion,
• Sex,
• Sexual harassment,
• National origin,
• Ancestry,
• Age (40 and over),
• Order of protection status,
• Marital status,
• Disability (physical and mental),
• Association with a person with a disability,
• Sexual orientation (including gender-related identity),
• Unfavorable military discharge,
• Military status,
• Retaliation (for opposing discrimination),
• Arrest record (or criminal record if it was ordered to be expunged, sealed, or impounded),
• Conviction record, in certain situations (see IDHR's FAQ on this topic),
• Citizenship status,
• Gender identity,
• Language (not related to job duties),
• Pregnancy, and
• Work authorization status.

Cook County protected classes

• Race,
• Color,
• Religion,
• Sex,
• Sexual harassment,
• National origin,
• Ancestry,
• Age,
• Marital status,
• Disability,
• Parental status,
• Sexual orientation,
• Source of income,
• Military discharge status,
• Housing status,
• Retaliation,
• Gender identity,
• Credit history (unless it is related to the job), and 
• Criminal history (except some employers, and unless it is related to the job).

Chicago protected classes

• Race,
• Color,
• Religion,
• Sex,
• Sexual harassment,
• National origin,
• Ancestry,
• Age,
• Marital status,
• Disability,
• Parental status,
• Sexual orientation,
• Source of income,
• Military status,
• Retaliation (limited),
• Gender identity,
• Credit history (unless it is related to the job), and
• Criminal history (except some employers, and unless it is related to the job).