What are Civil Rights?
Civil rights are personal rights guaranteed and protected by the U.S. Constitution and statutes such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Iowa Civil Rights Act, and the Davenport Civil Rights Ordinance. Civil Rights include the equal treatment of all people with respect to the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property and freedom from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation, credit and education.
The Davenport Civil Rights Commission (DCRC) enforces the Davenport Civil Rights Ordinance which prohibits discrimination against person because of age, creed, marital status, race, sex, sexual orientation, disability, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, gender identity or familial status in the areas of employment, education, public accommodations, credit and housing.
Click here to view or download 2.58 of the Davenport Municipal Code
The following table shows the protected classes under the Davenport Civil Rights Ordinance.
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Protected Classes |
Areas of Protection |
Employment |
Housing |
Public Accommodation |
Education |
Credit |
Age |
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 |
 |
 |
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Race |
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 |
 |
 |
 |
Creed |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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Color |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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Religion |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Sex |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Gender Identity |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Sexual Orientation |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
National Origin |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Mental or Physical Disability |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Marital Status |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Familial Status |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Areas of Protection
Credit
Everyday, countless individuals and families are denied access to mainstream credit. Despite a reduction in the most blatant forms of discrimination, there is evidence that creditors commit more subtle discrimination against minority groups throughout the lending process. Discrimination occurs in: advertising and outreach, handling of pre-application inquiries, the loan approval or disapproval decision, loan pricing, and loan administration. Credit discrimination cases must be filed with the commission no later than 300 days from the date of the alleged incident.
Education
Under the Davenport Civil Rights Ordinance students, faculty, and staff are protected from discrimination in elementary and secondary schools as well as colleges. Discrimination is defined as: the unequal treatment or denial of normal privileges to persons because of their immutable characteristics or personal choices. Education discrimination cases must be filed with the commission no later than 300 days from the date of the alleged incident.
Employment
It is unlawful to fail or refuse to hire, discharge any individual, or to discriminate against any individual with respect to the individual's compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. Employment discrimination complaints must be filed with the commission no later than 300 days from the date of the alleged incident.
Housing
It is unlawful to fail to rent or sell property because of a protected class, or advertise a preference or limitation, or impose different terms or conditions during tenancy based on a protected class. It is also unlawful to fail to provide, or impose different terms and conditions, in home loans and insurance because of a protected class. Housing discrimination complaints must be filed with the commission no later than (1) year from the date of the alleged incident.
Factsheet Harassment in Housing
Public Accommodation
Public Accommodations are facilities whose goods, services or premises are offered to the public for a fee. Examples of public accommodations are: restaurants, hotels, retail stores, shopping centers, bars, museums, theaters, stadiums, parks, bus stations, airports, health clubs, and hospitals. Under City ordinance 2.58, it is illegal to deny a person access or treat them unequally, in a public accommodation because of their protected class. Public Accommodation discrimination complaints must be filed with the commission no later than 300 days from the dated of the alleged incident.