IDHR Ends Mandatory Fact-Finding Conferences: What It Means for Illinois Employees
The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) has made an important change to how it investigates charges of discrimination. As of August 15, 2025, the agency is no longer required to hold a “fact-finding conference” in every case.
For years, these conferences were a key part of the IDHR process—a meeting where both sides (the employee and the employer) were brought together with an investigator to discuss the allegations, share documents, and sometimes explore early resolution. Going forward, these conferences will happen only if one of the parties requests it or if the IDHR decides one is necessary.
This change may sound procedural, but it can have real-world effects for employees pursuing discrimination, harassment, or retaliation claims under the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA).
What Employees Should Know
1. Fewer automatic chances to tell your story in person
Under the old system, every charge almost always led to a fact-finding conference. That meant employees had a guaranteed opportunity to sit across from the employer, respond to their explanations, and speak directly with the IDHR investigator. Now, that meeting might not happen unless you—or your attorney—specifically request it.
2. Cases may move faster (but not always)
Some employees found the conference process slow and frustrating, with months of waiting for scheduling. Without mandatory conferences, the IDHR hopes to shorten investigations. But the reality will depend on staffing and caseloads. If your goal is a quicker resolution, this change could help—but patience is still required.
3. Early preparation matters more than ever
Because you might not get a conference, your written charge and supporting documents will carry even more weight. It’s critical that your story is complete, consistent, and well-supported from the start. An experienced employment attorney can help organize the facts and evidence in a way that strengthens your case early on.
4. You can still request a conference
If an in-person meeting could help clarify issues, highlight credibility, or push settlement discussions, your attorney can request a fact-finding conference in writing within 90 days of filing the charge. The IDHR must agree, but that option remains available.
The Bottom Line
The end of automatic fact-finding conferences doesn’t weaken employees’ rights—it simply changes how those rights are exercised. Strong cases will still succeed, but strategy and preparation are now even more important.If you believe you’ve faced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation at work, it’s important to understand how these new rules may affect your claim. At Emery Law, we help employees navigate every step of the IDHR process—from filing the initial charge to pursuing justice through settlement or litigation if needed.