Additional Legal Information

The Dubuque Human Rights Ordinance:

• Prohibits discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodation, education, or credit.
• Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, age, family status (in housing only) or marital status (in credit only).
• Requires that a complaint must be filed within 300 days of the alleged discriminatory action.
• Requires that the discrimination occurred within the city limits of Dubuque
• Establishes that the Commission operates as a neutral, objective law enforcement agency. 
• Permits any person who believes that they have been discriminated against in violation of the ordinance to file a complaint with the Dubuque Human Rights Commission. 

Find more in the complete ordinance.

Legal Grounds for Complaints

In order for the Office of Equity & Human Rights to take legal action, the different treatment that occurred must have occurred because of a person's race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or family status (in housing), or marital status (in credit). It also is illegal to retaliate against someone who takes action to protect these rights.

If you are uncertain about any of the above, please contact us at 563.589.4190 or by email. You may report your concern here and our Intake Specialist will review it to determine whether or not you have legal grounds for a complaint.