Self-Help Center

Free Employment Law Help

File, Negotiate, and Protect Yourself

Most employment issues don't require a lawyer to take the first step. You can file discrimination, wage, retaliation, and unemployment claims directly with a government agency — no fee, no attorney required. And before you sign anything — a severance agreement, a noncompete, a release — you can understand what it actually means for you.

We built this page because we believe workers deserve to know their options, whether or not they can afford a lawyer. Below you'll find:

Step-by-step video walkthroughs for filing with the EEOC, IDHR, IDOL, U.S. DOL, OSHA, IDES, and the City of Chicago — including screen-by-screen guidance through the actual forms
What to know before signing a severance agreement, including review and revocation periods
What noncompete and non-solicitation clauses can and can't do, and when they're enforceable in Illinois
How to document, report, and protect yourself if something goes wrong at work

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Also see: Illinois Employment Law Handbook (PDF)

This page provides general information only. It is not legal advice, and using it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Workplace Law Partners.

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Were you offered a severance?
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Has any person or entity related to your job ever required you to undergo a physical exam or asked about your family medical history (for example, questions about whether you have a history of heart disease in your family)?
Are you aware of anything illegal occurring at your job (for example, overbilling the government, lying to government?)
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