Commission Overview

The Iowa City Human Rights Commission consists of nine members who serve staggered three-year terms.

Meetings

The Commission holds monthly meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month in Emma J. Harvat Hall. Special meetings are held as needed.

Meeting dates and locations may vary. To verify the schedule and meeting location, please contact staff at 319-356-5022 or email humanrights@iowa-city.org.

Duties

The duties of the Commission include:

• Educating the public on illegal discrimination and civil rights through forums and community outreach.

• Recommending anti-discrimination legislation and policy to the City Council.

• Collaborating with public and private organizations that support and align with the Human Rights Ordinance.

• Planning and supporting programs that reduce intergroup tensions related to religion, culture, disability, and other identities.

Commemorative Video 

Learn more about the history and the first members of the City's Human Rights Commission here.

Learn more about the Human Rights Commission here. 

View the Year in Review 2025 report, compiled by the Office or Human Rights and the Commission. 

Human Rights Ordinance 

It is unlawful in Iowa City to discriminate in credit, education, employment, housing, and public accommodation on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, *familial status, gender identity, marital status, national origin, *presence or absence of dependents, *public assistance source of income, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. 

It is also unlawful to retaliate against a person because such person has lawfully opposed any discriminatory practice.

To view the Iowa City Human Rights Ordinance, see Title 2 - Human Rights in the City Code.

*Denotes only in housing

Free or Low-Cost Legal Assistance

As access to justice remains an ongoing challenge and the demand for free or low-cost legal services continues to grow, the Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA) has developed resources to help. A one-page handout, “Need Free or Low-Cost Legal Assistance?”, is available to guide individuals seeking help with legal questions. It includes a list of organizations that provide free or reduced-cost legal services and is shared with members of the public who contact or visit the ISBA. Access the document here.

In addition, "The Handbook for Older Iowans" is a valuable resource covering legal topics that commonly affect older adults, including estate planning, consumer protection, housing, and health care decision-making. Access the handbook here.

While these resources may not be exhaustive, their goal is to connect individuals with helpful legal information and services. 

In Iowa City it is unlawful to discriminate in credit, education, employment, housing, and public accommodation on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, *familial status, gender identity, marital status, national origin, *presence or absence of dependents,* public assistance source of income, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. It is also unlawful to retaliate against a person because such person has lawfully opposed any discriminatory practice.
*Denotes only in housing

Complaints of discrimination must be filed within 300 days after the most recent discriminatory event.

24/7 Online submission complaint form.  

PDF Print Out Complaint Form

To request a hard copy complaint form to be sent by standard mail, please call 319-356-5022 or email humanrights@iowa-city.org.  

Complaints against the City of Iowa City

If you wish to file a complaint of discrimination against the City of Iowa City, including any of its departments or divisions, which would include the Police Department, contact the Iowa Office of Civil Rights at 1-888-457-4416 or file online using the following link:

File a Complaint – Iowa Office of Civil Rights

Fair Housing Training Video & Online Quiz

What is Fair Housing?

Fair Housing means the right for a person to live where they choose to, free from discrimination. Iowa City’s Human Rights Ordinance prohibits discrimination based on age, color, creed, disability, familial status, gender identity, marital status, national origin, presence or absence of dependents, public assistance source of income, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation.

Don't Stand for Housing Discrimination 

2023 Fair Housing Training Video 

2024 Fair Housing Online Quiz

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents. They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer

Speakers, Trainings & More

We offer a variety of informational presentations and trainings that can be tailored to the audience (adults, youth, employees, etc.) or location (schools, other nonprofits, corporations, etc.). We are able to offer our presentations in person and/or virtually via webinars. You will be emailed a confirmation and a copy of the information you submit.

*As a service to the community, presentations and trainings requested by nonprofits are offered free of charge.

Request Form

The City's Human Rights Awards have been honoring individuals, businesses, or organizations whose ongoing work, service, or contributions have positively impacted human rights either locally or abroad since 1984. Nominations for 2026 will begin in August of 2026. Learn more here. 

Watch the 2025 Awards Ceremony

Youth Human Rights Awards

The City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission is accepting nominations for its Youth Human Rights Awards. This annual event celebrates the impactful contributions of local youth who have advanced human rights causes, whether locally or abroad.

Awards Criteria:

The Human Rights Commission is seeking to honor young individuals who have demonstrated creativity and initiative beyond the typical classroom or pre-organized activities. Nominations should focus on additional efforts made by youth to address human rights issues, and activities that stem from classwork or organized events are welcomed, provided they go beyond what was initially planned.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Residency: The nominee must live in Johnson County.
• Age Range: The nominee must be between 5 and 18.
• Activity Timeline: The nominated activity must have occurred after May 2025, not before.
• Personal Endeavors: The achievement must benefit others, not purely a personal goal or achievement.
• Prior Awards: The nominee should not have received this award based on the same activity or conduct in previous years.
• Nomination Form Issues: The form must be completed and submitted before the deadline.
• Nomination Context: The nominee’s achievements should not stem from graded class assignments or activities unless related to service clubs or student organizations.
• Nominee's Involvement: The nominee must have actively participated in organizing, chairing, hosting, or presenting for the event or activity.

To nominate a youth please visit this link. 

Deadline for Nominations:

Friday, April 17, 2026.

For more information, contact Human Rights Coordinator Stefanie Bowers at 319-356-5022 or email sbowers@iowa-city.org. 

Watch 2025 Ceremony

Equal Pay in Iowa: Legal Protections, Challenges, and Pathways to Change

Join us at the Iowa City Public Library on Tuesday, May 19 from 10:30 AM to 12 PM for an in-depth discussion on equal pay.

Program Details

Attorney Ann Brown, a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law with more than 20 years of experience, will lead this session. Brown has represented women in landmark Iowa Supreme Court cases under the state’s Equal Pay Act and continues to advocate for fair compensation practices.

The program will examine the history of pay discrimination, highlight industries most affected by wage disparities, and outline key state and federal legal protections. Attendees will also gain practical insights into actions that employees, employers, policymakers, and regulators can take to advance pay equity.

CLE Credit: This program is approved for 1.5 State CLE hours, including 1.5 Diversity hours.

How to Register

Visit Eventbrite at this link to sign up. 

The views and opinions expressed during programs of this office are those of the presenters and do not reflect the official policy or position of the City of Iowa City. 

  How Does It Work? Local and State Civil Rights Enforcement in Iowa

The Office of Human Rights and the Iowa Office of Civil Rights invite community members to attend an informational program, How Does It Work? Local and State Civil Rights Enforcement in Iowa. This session will provide an overview of how the two agencies are similar and how they differ. Participants will gain a better understanding of the two agencies, and the legal protections in place to address discrimination and promote equal opportunity. The program is designed for community members, advocates, service providers, employers, and anyone interested in learning more about either agency. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage directly with representatives from both offices and ask questions.

Event Details
Monday, June 8
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
(5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Meet & Greet)
Meeting Room B, Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center located at 220 S. Gilbert Street. 

Register here to attend. 

The LENS is the City’s bimonthly newsletter designed to expand conversations around access, belonging, and community engagement.

Subscribe to the Newsletter
Current Issue

Sponsorship Request

The Iowa City Human Rights Commission offers sponsorships to support local events that help reduce cultural, religious, or other intergroup tensions. Each year, $2,000 is budgeted to fund community events, with up to $250 available per event and per organizer.To apply for sponsorship from the Commission click on this link. 

Human Rights Grant

The City of Iowa City’s Human Rights Grant supports local efforts that advance equality, dignity, and fair treatment for all residents. Managed by the Office of Human Rights, the funding empowers nonprofits and community groups to combat discrimination and ensure equitable treatment. By investing in initiatives that protect and expand human rights, Iowa City reinforces its commitment to a just and welcoming community.

To be eligible for funding, a project must meet at least one of the following criteria: build capacity to organize communities around human rights, strengthen the ability to mobilize communities in support of human rights, or educate the public on human rights through public forums addressing topics within the broad rubric of human rights. Funding is not available to for-profit businesses, government entities, schools, colleges or universities, or organizations based outside Iowa City. Projects must be new, take place in Iowa City between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027, and request no more than $20,000. Applications will be accepted from March 1 through April 1, 2026.

The application link will go live here on March 1, 2026.

The Iowa City Human Rights Commission will review submissions and recommend awards to the City Council by May 31, 2026.

Submissions for the Human Rights Grants for 2026 are available here.