Illinois Sexual Harassment Law 775ILCS5/2-101(E)
“Sexual harassment” means any unwelcome sexual advances or request for sexual favors or any conduct of a sexual nature when (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual work performance or creating an intimidating hostile or offensive work environment.
What is considered sexual harassment?
- Sexually charged comments, sexual innuendos, sexual jokes, comments about your physical appearance or specific body parts, professions of feelings, and being asked out on a date can all constitute sexual harassment. Of course, you would have to show that such comments and behavior was unwanted and that you were not a willing participant.
- Unwanted physical contact such as touching, groping, hugging, grazing up against. Again, it is important to show that this type of physical contact was unwanted and made you feel uncomfortable.
- Making any part of your job (such as wages, promotions, references or working conditions) any part of your housing (such as your rent, your security deposit or lease renewal), or any part of your educational performance (such as grades, honors, course work, or scholarships) contingent on submission to sexual behavior.
- Sexual harassment can include the display of sexually suggestive objects, signs, magazines, or pictures, or the sending of sexually suggestive emails or text messages to persons who do not want this attention.
