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MEDIA ADVISORY

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department's Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) and the Chicago Commission on Human Relations will host a community meeting tomorrow, Thursday, October 14, 1999, to announce a new partnership to combat workplace discrimination.

John Trasviña, Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices and Clarence Wood, Commission Chairman, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding that will establish the first partnership of its kind between the City of Chicago and the Justice Department to enhance services for the immigrant and refugee communities. The partnership will increase accessibility to the resources and education offered by OSC and will enable victims of discrimination to file charges through the Commission on Human Relations.

WHAT: Community Meeting with John Trasviña and Clarence Wood

WHEN: Thursday, October 14, 1999 at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Chicago Cultural Center

5^th Floor, East Room

78 East Washington Street

The Office of Special Counsel was established by the Justice Department in 1987 to ensure that all work-authorized individuals--citizens and non-citizens alike--are not subject to discrimination in the hiring process because of their national origin, citizenship status or because they are thought to look or sound foreign.

The Chicago Commission on Human Relations was established in 1990 to eradicate discrimination and prejudice in the City of Chicago. The Commission has been charged with administering and enforcing the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance and the Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance and the provisions that guarantee that all persons are free from discrimination in the areas of housing, employment, credit and access to public accommodations. The Commission investigates, mediates and adjudicates such discrimination complaints based on race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status and source of income.

For more information about this event, please call Peter Kostakis at 312/744-1833.

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