A civil right is an enforceable right or privilege, which if interfered with by another gives rise to an action for injury. Examples of civil rights are freedom of speech, press, and assembly; the right to vote; freedom from involuntary servitude; and the right to equality in public places. Discrimination occurs when the civil rights of an individual are denied or interfered with because of their membership in a particular group or class. Statutes have been enacted to prevent discrimination based on race, sex, religion, age, previous condition of servitude, physical limitation, national origin, and in some instances sexual preference. Civil rights attorneys handle cases involving the rights of individuals to be free from unequal treatment (or discrimination) based on legally-protected characteristics such as race, gender, disability, national origin, age, sexual orientation, and religion. Civil rights cases can arise in a number of settings -- including employment, housing, lending, and education.
Hoffman Estates is a northwestern suburb of Chicago in Illinois. The village is located primarily in Cook County with a small section in Kane County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 49,495 and estimated to be 52,520 in 2003. The village was incorporated in 1959 . The village now serves as the headquarters location for the Sears Holdings Corporation, the midwest headquarters for AT&T and the American headquarters for Mori Seiki. It also hosts a series of special events at the Sears Centre Arena and is home to the Chicago Storm of the Major Indoor Soccer League, the Chicago Slaughter of the Continental Indoor Football League and the Chicago Bliss of the Lingerie Football League. Starting in 2009, the village will also become the home of the Heartland International Tattoo, one of the largest music & dance festivals of its kind in the Midwest.