Human Rights Commission

The Human Rights Commission is a citizen advisory board established to help promote equal opportunity, fair treatment and good human relations within the City of Quincy. It works to address concerns about discrimination and prejudice in the community. The membership of the Commission consists of 15 citizens serving 3-year terms.

Key Responsibilities

  • Advise city officials. The commission advises the Mayor, City Council and city staff on matters involving racial, religious or other discrimination and on ways to promote understanding and equal opportunity in the community. 
  • Review and investigate complaints. >People who believe they’ve experienced unlawful discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, public accommodations or financing (within Quincy's city limits) can file a formal complaint with the commission. The commission reviews these complaints and, where appropriate, conducts an investigation.
  • Promote equal rights and good human relations. The commission works to promote understanding and goodwill among all people regardless of race, color, creed, national origin or other protected characteristics. It may receive reports of tension or violations of civil/human rights and attempt to address them constructively.
  • Outreach and community education. Although not always formally described, commissions like this often engage with the public to raise awareness about rights, responsibilities, and available processes for addressing discrimination.

The commission serves as a local mechanism for civil rights awareness and enforcement, helping ensure that city programs, services and community interactions are conducted in a way that is fair and nondiscriminatory. It provides a formal avenue for addressing discrimination concerns within Quincy.

Meeting Schedule

Meets first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Quincy City Hall.

Meeting Agendas

To view the most recent meeting agenda for the Human Rights Commission, please select the link below. Only the most recent meeting agenda is available for viewing.

Human Rights Commission Meeting Agenda(PDF, 158KB)

Meeting Minutes

Membership

Name Title/Representing
Mark C. Philpot Chairman
Dennis Williams Vice Chairman
Jake Reed City Council
Richard Peat Quincy Police Department
Rev. Carl Terry  
Whitney Thompson  
 Angela Caldwell  
 Cecil Weathers  
 Jebora Brock  
 Alan Hickman  
 Trent Lyons  
 Rev. Orville Jones  Commissioner Emeritus

How to File Title VI Discrimination Complaint Form

Any person who believes she or he has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color or national origin by the City of Quincy may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the City's Title VI Complaint Form.

The City of Quincy investigates complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident. The City of Quincy will process complaints that are complete. Once the complaint is received, the City of Quincy will review it to determine if our office has jurisdiction. The complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing her/him whether the complaint will be investigated by our office.

The City of Quincy has 14 days to investigate the complaint. If more information is needed to resolve the case, the city may contact the complainant. The complainant has 14 business days from the date of the letter to send requested information to the investigator assigned to the case. If the investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 14 business days, the city can administratively close the case. A case may also be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.

After the investigator reviews the complaint, she/he will issue one of two (2) letters to the complainant: a closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF). A closure letter summarizes the allegations and states that there was not a Title VI violation and that the case will be closed. A letter of finding (LOF) summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, and explains whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff member, or other action will occur.

If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, she/he has 14 days after the date of the letter or the LOF to do so. A person may also file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration, at FTA Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. If information is needed in another language, then contact 217-228-4500.

Click here to view a copy of the Title VI Complaint Form.

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