You May Be Able to Handle This Yourself — For Free
Not every workplace problem requires hiring a lawyer.
Employees in Illinois can often file complaints directly with federal, state, county, or local government agencies at no charge. Depending on the issue, you may be able to file a claim involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, unpaid wages, overtime, unsafe working conditions, whistleblower retaliation, unemployment benefits, workplace injuries, union or group workplace activity, and other employment rights without paying an attorney to get started.
Below, we provide direct links to the government agencies that handle common workplace claims, explain what each agency does, and identify whether an attorney is required. We also give each filing process a DIY Filing Difficulty score so you have a practical sense of what you may face before you begin.
Some agencies make filing very simple and will help employees through the process. Others require more detailed factual allegations, calculations, documents, or procedural steps. And even when the initial filing is easy, the matter may become more complicated later if your employer disputes the claim, the agency schedules a hearing, or you need to decide whether to proceed in court.
SELF-HELP CENTER
Government Agencies in Illinois Where Employees Can File Their Own Workplace Claims
Many workplace claims can be started without a lawyer. The chart below rates how straightforward each agency's process is for someone filing on their own, from one-click intake forms to litigation-style proceedings where self-representation carries real risk.
Designed for employees; straightforward.
Most employees can start with reasonable preparation.
Legal categories, calculations, or facts require care.
Formal procedures create meaningful risk of mistakes.
Litigation-like; self-representation can be challenging.
Federal Employment Discrimination Complaint. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission accepts charges involving workplace discrimination, harassment, failure to accommodate, and retaliation based on protected characteristics such as race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age, disability, and genetic information. Employees can begin the process themselves through the EEOC Public Portal, and you do not need a lawyer to file. Strict filing deadlines apply — often 300 days for Illinois employees — so employees should not delay.
Why this scoreEasy to start, but not quite one-click filing. The Public Portal walks an employee through an inquiry and intake process. The employee still needs to identify what happened, when it happened, and why the conduct may be discriminatory. Our main critique of the EEOC is that they are very busy so you may have to wait a long time. Do not allow this delay to make you miss deadlines.
Illinois Employment Discrimination Complaint. IDHR investigates employment discrimination, harassment, failure to accommodate, and retaliation under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Employees can start the process themselves by completing a Complainant Information Sheet. Filing is free and an attorney is not required. Most discrimination charges currently must be filed within two years, although different deadlines can apply to particular claims.
Why this scoreVery employee-friendly intake process. IDHR provides a guided intake process and helps convert the employee's factual information into a formal charge when appropriate.
Illinois Wage, Leave and Other Workplace Complaints. The Illinois Department of Labor accepts complaints under numerous Illinois workplace laws involving issues such as wages, overtime, minimum wage, commissions, bonuses, vacation pay, deductions, paid leave and other worker protections. Employees can file complaints themselves and submit pay records, employment documents, communications and other supporting information. You do not need a lawyer to file with IDOL.
Why this scoreGenerally straightforward. IDOL organizes its website by the employee's type of workplace problem and directs the worker to the appropriate complaint form or filing procedure. The main challenge is selecting the correct type of claim.
Recover Unpaid Wages, Commissions, Bonuses, Vacation Pay or Overtime. Employees who believe they are owed wages, commissions, bonuses, overtime, or minimum wage can use IDOL's wage-claim process. You do not need a lawyer to file a wage claim with IDOL. Filing deadlines apply, so employees should act promptly and verify the current deadline for their particular claim.
Why this scoreThe filing system is manageable, but calculating and documenting the claim can be harder. Employees may need to determine what compensation is owed and provide paystubs, time records, commission agreements, vacation policies or other documents.
Group Workplace Activity, Union Rights and Retaliation. The National Labor Relations Board protects many private-sector employees who act together concerning wages, hours, safety, workplace policies, or other working conditions — even when the workplace is not unionized. Employees may file an unfair-labor-practice charge if an employer interferes with protected activity or retaliates against them. You do not need a lawyer to file with the NLRB. Charges generally must be filed within six months.
Why this scoreThe NLRB provides strong filing assistance. Agency staff can explain jurisdiction and help with the charge. The harder issue is often recognizing whether the employee's conduct qualifies as protected concerted or union activity. Unfortunately, the process at the NLRB has become very slow due to funding and the number of claims.
Chicago Employment Discrimination and Harassment Complaints. Employees who experience discrimination within the City of Chicago may have additional rights under the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance and may be able to file claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation and other locally protected categories with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations. You do not need a lawyer to file a claim with the Commission. Strict filing deadlines apply.
Why this scoreAccessible, but somewhat more formal. Employees can proceed without counsel, but identifying the correct protected category and preparing an adequate factual complaint requires more work than some guided state and federal intake systems. Overall, the Chicago Commission is a good organization, and there are good mediators who try to bring about resolutions.
Chicago Minimum Wage, Paid Leave and Worker Protections. Employees working in Chicago can file complaints involving Chicago's minimum-wage, paid-leave and other local worker-protection ordinances. Employees can initiate complaints through Chicago's labor-standards complaint process, including 311 resources. You do not need a lawyer to file.
Why this scoreOne of the easiest systems on this list. The City provides simple complaint channels.
Unsafe Working Conditions. Employees can report serious workplace safety or health hazards directly to OSHA. Complaints can be submitted online or through other OSHA intake methods, and employees do not need a lawyer to report unsafe working conditions.
Why this scoreDesigned specifically for workers to use themselves. An employee mainly needs to identify the employer, workplace, hazard and relevant facts, and OSHA staff can assist with filing questions.
Whistleblower Retaliation. OSHA administers whistleblower protections under numerous federal laws involving workplace safety, transportation, financial and securities fraud, environmental issues, food safety, consumer protection and other regulated activities. You do not need a lawyer to file with OSHA. However, some whistleblower filing deadlines are extremely short — often 30 to 180 days depending on the law. An employee may sometimes have rights through OSHA and a separate court action or other agency.
Why this scoreThe form itself is manageable; selecting the correct whistleblower law and presenting protected activity, employer knowledge, retaliation and timing can be much harder. Also, you can often combine this with a separate lawsuit in court under the Illinois Whistleblower Act or other laws that offer better outcomes.
Work-Related Injuries and Occupational Diseases. The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission administers claims involving employees injured or made ill because of their work, including disputes concerning medical expenses, temporary disability, lost wages and permanency benefits. Employees are legally permitted to represent themselves, but workers' compensation cases are considerably more formal than most agency complaints.
Why this scoreThe IWCC itself cautions pro se employees about the complexity. Self-represented workers must learn procedural rules and substantive workers' compensation law and use the Commission's electronic filing system. This is the least DIY-friendly process on this list.
Apply for Unemployment Benefits. Illinois employees who lose their jobs or experience a qualifying reduction in work can use IDES to apply for unemployment benefits and obtain information about eligibility, certifications and appeals. You do not need a lawyer to apply for unemployment benefits.
Why this scoreThe initial application is designed for individuals to complete themselves. The process becomes more difficult if the employer challenges eligibility or the employee must participate in an adjudication or appeal.
Cook County Employment Discrimination and Worker-Protection Complaints. Employees covered by Cook County ordinances may file claims involving employment discrimination, harassment and certain local worker protections. No lawyer is required and there is no filing fee. Different types of Cook County claims may have different filing deadlines, so employees should verify the deadline that applies.
Why this scoreThe Commission accommodates self-represented workers and provides complaint forms and investigator assistance. If the matter ultimately reaches an administrative hearing, however, the process becomes substantially more formal.
Danville Employment Discrimination Complaints. Employees who experience discrimination within Danville may file a local complaint with the City of Danville Human Relations Department. The Department receives and investigates unlawful-discrimination claims involving employment, housing and public accommodations. Strict filing deadlines apply. A lawyer is not required. Employees can begin by contacting the Human Relations Department at 217-431-2280.
Why this scoreThe process is not fully automated, but employees receive personal assistance. Direct staff intake can make the process easier for employees who are uncomfortable drafting a legal complaint.
Urbana Employment Discrimination Complaints. Employees who experience discrimination within the City of Urbana may file with the City's Office of Human Rights and Equity. Urbana's Human Rights Ordinance prohibits discrimination in employment and provides local protections against retaliation. An attorney is not required and there is no filing fee. The City currently states that complaints generally must be filed within 90 days of the violation or discovery of the violation, with an outside one-year limit.
Why this scoreParticularly helpful for employees who do not know how to draft a legal complaint. City staff conducts intake and can prepare the formal complaint for signature when the ordinance applies.
This chart is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Filing deadlines, procedures and requirements change and may vary based on your specific facts — verify current deadlines directly with the relevant agency before you file. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship.
