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.
Joliet is a city in Will and Kendall Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, located 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County. The city’s population at the time of the 2000 U.S. Census was 106,221. Based on the population estimates as a result of a 2008 Special Census, Joliet boasts 152,812 residents. It continues to be Illinois' fastest growing city and one of the fastest growing in the United States. Back when Joliet was first planned in the early 1830s, it was still in Cook County. In 1836, it became the county seat of the new Will County.