Sioux City Human Rights Commission

Sioux City Human Rights Commission is an impartial governmental agency that primarily investigates allegations of discrimination. Other duties include community education and hosting events that promote diversity and the elimination of discrimination. Its tagline is "To Ensure a Fair and Equitable Community for All".[1]

Sioux City Human Rights Commission
Formation1963
TypeQuasi-Judicial
HeadquartersCity Hall
Location
Executive Director
Karen Mackey
Websitehttps://www.sioux-city.org/government/boards-commissions/human-rights-commission

Background

The Iowa Civil Rights Act requires every city with a population of over 29,000 to have an independent commission in order to further its goals.[2] The Commission is represented by eleven citizen Commissioners appointed by the City Council.[3] The Sioux City Human Rights Commission currently has two full-time staff, one part-time secretary and four AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers.[4]

The Iowa Civil Rights Commission currently has more volunteers than paid staff.[5] Ralph Rosenberg, Executive Director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, has referred to the VISTA Project as "a short-term fix for tough budget times".[6] In early 2010, even this program was in danger due to increasing budget cuts. In accordance with the cost-sharing component of the AmeriCorps VISTA project,[7] if the Sioux City Human Rights Commission's budget was not increased, the agency would have lost all of its AmeriCorps VISTA members.[8] Eventually the City Council voted 3-2 in favor of adding $20,592 to pay the annual stipend for two AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers.[9]

Jurisdiction

The Sioux City Human Rights Commission can only investigate incidents of alleged discrimination that have occurred within the last 300 days.[10] The incident must have also taken place within Sioux City. The areas in which complaints can be filed are employment, public accommodations, housing, education, and credit.[11]

All discriminatory incidents must be categorized as one of Iowa's twelve protected classes:[12]

Complaint Process

A complaint form is filled out by a person alleging discrimination. Next, the party to whom the complaint is directed is notified and given an opportunity to respond to the allegations. Investigators then begin collecting information to make a fair and impartial evaluation. During the investigation, both parties will be asked to consider mediation. Although after a complaint has been properly filed for 60 days the Sioux City Human Rights Commission may grant a "right to sue" letter and the person alleging discrimination may begin a lawsuit. In this event, the case will be closed.

When the investigation is completed, commissioners will determine if there is reason to believe that discrimination happened with either a "probable cause" or "no probable cause" finding. If it is "probable cause", the next step is mandatory conciliation. If an agreement is reached, the case will be closed. If not, commissioners decide to either close the case or go to public hearing. If it is "no probable cause", the investigation is then closed. The person who alleged discrimination then has the option of suing the other party at their own expense.[13]

Events

The agency is also known for its wide variety of events that promote diversity and offer educational outreach.

There are currently five annual events they put on:[14][15][16][17][18]

In addition, the agency hosts forums throughout the year focusing on issues such as immigration, disabilities, and fair housing. Many are broadcast live on a public-access cable TV channel.[19][20]

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-09-04. Retrieved 2010-01-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. Section 216.19 of the Iowa Code
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-11-29. Retrieved 2010-01-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-11-28. Retrieved 2010-02-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Head of Civil Rights Commission warns of delays". Radio Iowa. 2010-01-27. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  6. "Head of Civil Rights Commission warns of delays". Radio Iowa. 2010-01-27. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  7. "AmeriCorps VISTA". Corporation for National and Community Service. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  8. lzerschling@siouxcityjournal.com, Lynn Zerschling-. "Cuts in human rights budget means loss of VISTA volunteers". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  9. lzerschling@siouxcityjournal.com, Lynn Zerschling. "Zerschling: Council split many ways over lean budget". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  10. Section 4.04.210 of Sioux City Municipal Code
  11. Section 216 of the Iowa Code
  12. Section 216 of the Iowa Code
  13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-12-15. Retrieved 2010-07-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. "Children's art honoring King to be displayed". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  15. Sexton, Meagan. "Juneteenth celebration draws hundreds". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  16. "Celebrate Human Rights Day". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  17. writer, John Quinlan, Journal staff. "Step Off enlivens multicultural fair". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-11-28. Retrieved 2010-02-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. "Public invited to disability awareness forum". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  20. "Immigration forum to be held June 19". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
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